Free The Last Hand by Eric Wight Page A

telling Salter about the reporter, then decided that the reporter, like Gregson, was irrelevant. Might even inhibit Salter.
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    Salter’s scheme for conducting his own investigation had not gotten off the ground. He had thought about it until his brain hurt without seeing how he could get to first base with no one aware of his actions. Now he had been handed a walk. So, more or less to propitiate the gods, he felt he ought to acknowledge his good fortune by telling someone he was grateful. He closed the door and called Orliff.
    Orliff said, “Are you pleased? I thought you were twiddling your thumbs.”
    â€œYeah, I was. As a matter of fact, I am pleased. I’ve got a little notion about this case, something about it that struck me at the beginning.”
    â€œThat right? Did you tell Mackenzie, or Marinelli?”

    â€œI tried to a couple of times, but I got the feeling I was butting in.
    â€œSo now’s your chance.”
    â€œI didn’t tell you my idea, did I?”
    â€œNo, you wrote it on a piece of cigarette paper, and I swallowed it so it would stay imprinted on my brain. What idea?”
    â€œSorry, sorry. I was thinking aloud. So you think I should accept this assignment?”
    â€œDo I think what? You’re a staff inspector, Charlie, not a special agent. You do what you’re told.”
    Orliff put down the phone and dialed Calvin Gregson’s office. The lawyer’s secretary told him that he was on his way to Hazelton Lanes to see a shirtmaker, but she could reach him on his cell phone.
    â€œTell him to meet me in Holt Renfrew in thirty minutes,” Orliff said, thinking how nice it was to be able to give orders to a guy like Gregson when you had something he wanted.
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    Gregson had added a dark blue brocade vest to the suit and the riding shoes. The two men found a place to drink coffee on the lower level.
    â€œI think you’re fixed up,” Orliff said. “I’ve got them to put Salter on the case.”
    â€œWho’s he?”
    â€œA staff inspector, not a regular member of Homicide, but he’s handled a couple of sensitive cases successfully. He’s his own man.”
    â€œA lone wolf?”
    â€œMore of an odd duck. But he’s the one I would want if it were me.”
    â€œKnows how to tread carefully, does he?”
    â€œThat’s his nature. If he smells a cover-up, though, you won’t be able to keep him quiet.”
    â€œI told you there isn’t any cover-up. We just want the right answer as quickly and quietly as possible. Can you do one more thing for me? Ask Salter to come and see me as soon as he can.”
    â€œYou want me to tell Salter to report to you? At your office, maybe? With his shoes shined? You hear what you are saying?”
    â€œRight. Sorry. I understand. Right. Sorry. You had no hand in
it. You really are a crafty bastard, aren’t you? How come you’re not a lawyer?”
    â€œPoor guidance counseling in high school, I guess. Or the wrong high school.”

7
    â€œI don’t need a teammate,” Salter said. “When I need one, I’ll ask you for one.”
    Marinelli shook his head. “We work in pairs, Charlie, remember? For a lot of reasons. Backup, mainly.”
    â€œIn case of a fight? Who the hell is going to start something here? One of Lucas’s Granite Club pals?”
    â€œNo, in court. You need someone to cover your ass, you know that, someone to testify you didn’t use undue violence when you got that old lady in an armlock. We are getting too many complaints.”
    â€œIf I see any trouble coming, I’ll call for help.”
    â€œI’m serious, Charlie. The order comes from the chief.”
    â€œSo assign someone to me, but keep him in your office until I need him.”
    â€œThere’s a guy just joined us. He’s not long on the force but he had a lot of experience overseas before he came