Free The Blue Movie Murders by Ellery Queen

McCall’s jaw. Staggered, McCall retreated a few steps. He knew he could take the man easily, but he was worried by the one with the gun. He moved forward again, striking quickly at the big man’s nose. Blood spurted and Tanner gasped with pain.
    McCall fell on him then, trying to lock his arms in a bear hug. Tanner twisted, unable to free himself, and shouted, “Shoot him! Shoot the damned scab!”
    But Jack Kozinski stepped in front of the gun. “No, Carry. Not murder. Things are bad enough already.”
    Tanner was busy wiping the blood from his nose. “What in hell is this? The Governor sends some stinkin’ scab up here to break our strike and you all turn yellow! You afraid to stand up for your rights?” He waved his bandaged hand. “I get beaten up and shot at by this guy and you all stand around saying how bad things are!”
    â€œThey don’t want trouble,” MCall said. “Nobody wants trouble but you. I’d guess you got them into this strike, and you can’t stand alone.”
    â€œI can damn well stand alone,” Tanner growled, and broke free from McCall’s relaxed grip. He dived for the gun and yanked it from the striker’s hand, whirling in the same motion towards McCall. But Jack Kozinski was faster. He fell on the big man, wrestling for the weapon. Tanner brought the barrel down with a glancing blow to Kozinski’s scalp, but the youth hung on.
    At that moment, as McCall struggled to separate them, another car turned into the dirt road. This time it was Lieutenant Powell, and he pulled up with a screeching of brakes and a cloud of dust. The other strikers ran for the field, leaving McCall struggling with Tanner and Kozinski.
    â€œWhat’s all this?” Powell barked. “What’s going on here?”
    McCall sent Tanner toppling to the ground and stood over him. “I want this man locked up, Lieutenant. Three times in two days is more than I have to take. Lock him up or we’ll probably kill each other.”
    Powell frowned uncertainly. “Are you pressing charges, McCall?”
    â€œYou’re damn right, I am. Assault with a deadly weapon, among others.”
    Powell helped Carry Tanner to his feet. “I’ll have to take you in,” he said, almost apologetically.
    McCall and April had gone to Jack Kozinski, who was holding his head where Tanner had grazed him with the pistol. “We’ll get it washed off,” April said. “It doesn’t look deep.”
    â€œTake him with you!” Tanner spat. “He was always on your side anyway.”
    Powell pushed Tanner towards the squad car, anxious to avoid further trouble. As he got in he called to McCall. “You’ll have to come downtown and press charges.”
    â€œDon’t worry. I’ll be there.”
    When Powell had backed out to the highway they helped Kozinski into the other car, with April behind the wheel. “I’d better take him to the emergency ward, in case he needs stitches. You go on down with Powell and get that gorilla locked up.”
    â€œI will.” McCall watched until they were safely on to the highway, then backed his own car out.
    It might have been a council of war that assembled in McCall’s motel room later that night, even though there were only the three of them present. Jack Kozinski wore a small adhesive bandage where the hospital had taken three stitches, and April Evans sat next to him chain-smoking cigarettes. McCall paced back and forth as he brought them up to date on developments.
    â€œTanner’s locked up, at least overnight. A lawyer can probably get him out on bail tomorrow, but for the moment he’s on ice. If Xavier Mann’s negotiators move fast enough, perhaps they can settle the strike while he’s behind bars.”
    â€œThere are others,” Kozinski said. “It’s not that simple.”
    â€œDid Tanner have anything to do with Sloane’s