The Avenger 31 - The Cartoon Crimes by Kenneth Robeson Read Free Book Online

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CHAPTER X

Who . . . and Why?
    Cole increased his foot pressure on the gas pedal and the car eased more rapidly through the night. “For several generations, Richard, the Wilsons have been gifted with a well-nigh infallible instinct for discerning the truth,” he said. “I’m ready to wager that none of the chaps we interviewed this long languid afternoon has anything to do with Walling’s murder or Gil Lewing’s troubles.”
    Richard Henry Benson was sitting in the back seat of the fast-moving car. “I don’t discount hunches, but I’d like a few more facts,” he said. “What do you think, Josh?”
    The Negro was slouched next to Cole, watching the darkened Long Island scenery tick by. “I think that old messenger from Swifty’s has been swiping office supplies from Walling. But outside of that I got the same impression Cole did.”
    “Suppose,” suggested the Avenger, “that no one connected with Lewing’s publishers is responsible for his so-called hallucinations. The field of possibilities narrows.”
    “We’re on our way to talk to Lewing now,” said Josh. “I’d like to get a look at this guy. Could be he really is imagining things.”
    Cole pointed out, “He didn’t imagine the two hooligans who tried to do us bodily harm. Or the pair of bullyboys who had the donnybrook with Mac and Smitty.”
    “Okay, so those things really happened,” said Josh. “Doesn’t mean all the other stuff did. From what Nellie told us in her last call, Lewing says he saw one of his cartoon characters kill Walling.”
    “If the chap isn’t balmy, I don’t see why he’d concoct a yarn like that. Which is why I’m inclined to believe him.”
    “Let’s say he is sane, then,” said Josh. “Then who’s doing all this fancy stuff?”
    “Why is an equally important question,” added Benson.
    The black man glanced back at him. “It’s got to be a money motive, doesn’t it? Like I mentioned before, money for his wife, maybe.”
    “Your average Long Island matron,” said Cole, “doesn’t have a staff of goons and plug-uglies at her beck and call. We know of at least four such who’ve tried to assault us this day.”
    “I don’t know, if I was a lady thinking about getting control of several million bucks per year, I could hire me a dozen local tough guys without too much trouble.”
    “The two men Mac and Smitty captured are local talent,” said the Avenger. “As you know, they don’t know anyone beyond their hiring agent.” He leaned back against the seat and steepled his fingers. “I don’t see Mrs. Lewing masterminding a gang.”
    Cole guided their machine around a slower-moving car on the dark roadway. “There’s another element in the stew,” he said. “Namely, our old crony Agent Early of Washington, D.C. Though we’ve none of us encountered the bloke face to face as yet, his name keeps rearing its head. Why?”
    The Avenger said, “There have been several serious incidents of sabotage in this area during the past few months, especially incidents involving aircraft factories. The Nils-Hardin Plant was the latest to suffer damage. I imagine the sabotage is what Don Early’s looking into.”
    “Well, I’m betting this time us and Early are working two different sides of the street,” Josh said. “Don’t see no way funny papers and sabotage are going to mix.”
    “I’ll take that bet,” said Cole.

    A huge shape loomed up in front of the headlights.
    Cole applied the brakes. “Is that you, Smitty?” he called out of the open car window. “Or am I starting to see comic-book monsters?”
    The giant came trotting down the Lewing driveway. “I was sort of waiting for you guys,” he said. “I’m kind of worried about Mac. He’s been gone since before sundown.”
    “You’ve had no word from him?” asked the Avenger.
    “Nope, not so much as a holler.” The giant rubbed his big hands together. “If it’s okay by you I’d like to get on over to that Yellow Rose bar