Free Another Word for Murder by Nero Blanc Page A

He punched in her first contact number and reached a voice mailbox. “Elaine, it’s Rosco Polycrates. Sorry about yesterday. Listen, I know you’re not making a dime on this one, so let’s just say I’ll help you out where I can. I’m really too busy to take on something else right now … but I’ve been in and out of a lot of body shops lately working on another situation. If anything looks fishy or seems like it might have bearing on the Snyder case, I’ll get back to you, but if you need a full-timer I’ll understand.”
    He left identical messages at Elaine Vogel’s other mailboxes then replaced the phone in the cradle. It rang within seconds.
    â€œPolycrates Agency.”
    A grave voice responded with, “Yeah, this is Phil Gronski. You left me a message earlier in the week.”
    Rosco pushed through some papers on his desk until he found the one he wanted. “Yes. Right. Mr. Gronski. I understand you had your BMW stolen in front of Porto Ristorante on the evening of March fifteenth.”
    â€œYeah, right, a Z-8.”
    â€œI’ve been hired by Northern Mutual to look into—”
    â€œI’m not insured by Northern. My company’s G.I.A.”
    â€œYes sir, I know that. There are a number of companies handling the claims. I’m trying to talk with everyone who had a vehicle stolen regardless of their insurer. We’re looking for any thread, anything that can help us piece together who the perpetrator might be. I was wondering if you—”
    Again Gronski interrupted Rosco. “It’s sleazeballs like you who make life miserable for the rest of us.”
    â€œPardon me?”
    â€œAll I want is my damn money. I could care less if you catch the jerks who lifted my Z-8.”
    â€œNorthern Mutual’s paid off their claims, Mr. Gronski. What they’re looking for is criminal prosecution and the opportunity to reclaim some of their losses if they can.”
    â€œYeah, well, G.I.A. hasn’t paid off jack,” Gronski growled into the phone. “And you know why? Because they’re waiting for you people to get your act together. All I get from my agent is, ‘That case is still pending criminal investigation.’”
    Rosco shook his head. G.I.A. Insurance was one of the worst companies in America, notorious for stringing customers along for months, even years, before settling claims, in the hopes that eventually clients would give up or just fade away.
    â€œWell, sir, I can’t answer for G.I.A., since I’ve been hired by Northern, but if that’s their position, perhaps it would be in your best interest to answer a few questions? Get the ball rolling?”
    â€œYeah? Says you. Why don’t you just go to hell.”
    Instinctively, Rosco pulled the receiver away from his ear, knowing full well that Gronski’s next move would be to smash the phone down into its cradle. And like clockwork, that’s exactly what he did.
    Rosco leaned forward and drew a narrow line through Phil Gronski’s name, moved his pen down to the next name on his list, and reached for the telephone. Once again it rang before he had the opportunity to lift the receiver, and he answered with his normal “Polycrates Agency.”
    â€œRosco, thank goodness you’re there,” Karen sobbed into the phone. “Dan didn’t disappear. Someone has him. Someone’s kidnapped him! They just called!”

    â€œSUGAR AND SPICE”

    Across
    Â Â 1.  Part of S.P.C.A.
    Â Â 4.  Nap spot
    Â Â 7.  Virginia’s specialty
    10.  Tam
    13.  Cable network; abbr.
    14.  Theater worker; abbr.
    15.  Yalie
    16.  Fuss
    17.  Sea eagle
    18.  Map abbr.
    19.  Kitty Fisher, e.g.
    21.  Nursery rhyme
    24.  Remove, in trips
    25.  Pepper’s pal
    29.  Nab
    30.  A Tucker
    32.  Hare’s adjective
    33.  British Air, once
    35.  Tempe campus;