Cop Out by Ellery Queen Read Free Book Online Page B

hundred miles an hour leaving a sand wake like a launch and John Secco was sobbing, “Ease up, Es, for God’s sake take it slower, you’ll kill us both, that’s an order,” but he kept his foot on the accelerator and he was grinning because the black Chrysler was right there up ahead. He could see its red lights through the fog and Bibby’s face in the rear window frightened to death and the gold woman blowing cigaret smoke in her little white face. He stepped harder trying to push the pedal through the floor but no matter how hard he pushed the Chrysler kept the same distance ahead. Then it was rising in the air in an arc like a flying fish heading for the Tonekeneke’s black water and he tried to pull it back with both hands to keep it from falling into the river but he had no strength, it slipped through his fingers and the splash hit him like a stone wall and he found his voice Bibby Bibby BIBBY …
    He opened his eyes.
    Ellen was kneeling by the sofa with her arms around him.
    â€œLoney, wake up. You’re having a dream.”
    He sat up. His belly felt sore. It was the bag digging into him.
    â€œOh, Loney, I’m sorry.”
    â€œAbout what?” He was shaking.
    â€œThe way I acted last night.” Ellen’s arms tightened. “As if it’s your fault. I’m a bitch.”
    â€œNo, you’re not.” He kissed the top of her head.
    â€œForgive me?”
    â€œWhat’s to forgive?” He swung his legs to the floor and groaned. “I swear I’m tireder now than I was last night. No calls?”
    â€œNo, darling. She’ll be all right. I know she will.”
    â€œOf course she will.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you get undressed and into bed? No wonder you’re exhausted. This sofa is the original torture rack.”
    â€œI must have dropped off. I could use a couple gallons of coffee, Mrs. Malone.”
    â€œIt’s all ready for you. You just sit here. I’ll get it.”
    â€œNo, I’ll come into the kitchen. What time is it?”
    â€œSeven thirty.”
    â€œI have to make a call.”
    She was instantly alarmed. “To where?”
    â€œTo the station.”
    â€œLoney, you promised—”
    â€œDon’t worry, Ellen.”
    They went into the kitchen. Ellen spooned out the coffee, watching him. He went to the wall phone and dialed.
    â€œWes Malone,” Malone said. “Who’s this?”
    â€œTrooper Miller. Oh. Wes.” The young Resident Trooper sounded groggy. “What can I do for you?”
    â€œChief Secco there?”
    â€œHe’s gone home for some shuteye. Don’t ask me why, but I volunteered to hold down the fort till the day man comes in. Where the hell is he? I haven’t slept since night before last.”
    â€œWhat’s doing? I mean about those killers.”
    â€œNot a thing. Looks like they slipped through before we set up the blocks. Anything I can do for you?”
    â€œNo. I was just wondering.”
    â€œForget it. Somebody’ll pick ’em up somewhere. Chief says you’re on a couple days’ leave, Wes. Make love to your wife or something. No rest, but it’s recreation.”
    Miller hung up, chuckling.
    Malone hung up.
    He turned to find Ellen standing over the cups with the kettle poised, a human question mark.
    â€œThey got through, Ellen. So Bibby’s okay.”
    I hope.
    â€œThank God.”
    Ellen poured. A silence dropped between them. He sat down at the kitchen table and set the black bag on the floor between his feet, where he could feel it.
    When Malone came down from his shower Ellen was just cradling the phone.
    â€œWho was that?”
    â€œI called Miss Spencer.”
    â€œWho’s she?”
    â€œThe school nurse, for the umpty-eleventh time. We have to have some excuse why Bibby won’t be in school today, Loney. I said I was afraid she might be coming down with the flu and that