The Copper Frame by Ellery Queen Read Free Book Online Page B

Chief. Soon as I can get home and change into uniform.”
    â€œSkip the uniform,” Saxon said. “I want you here fast.”
    â€œIf it’s that important, I’m on my way,” Jenny said.
    Breaking the connection, Saxon dialed the hospital. When the switchboard operator answered, he said, “Is Dr. Harmon still in the hospital?”
    â€œNo, sir,” the operator said. “He left about eleven-thirty.”
    â€œThis is Chief Saxon. What emergency number do you have listed for him?”
    â€œHe’s at the Elks party, Chief.”
    Hanging up, he dialed the Elks Club and had Dr. Bruce Harmon paged. When the doctor came to the phone, Saxon said, “This is the chief, Bruce. I need you over at headquarters. Better bring along whatever equipment you need to determine if a woman has been forcibly raped.”
    â€œOh, oh,” Harmon said. “Anyone I know?”
    â€œI doubt it. How long will you be?”
    â€œExpect me in twenty minutes.”
    â€œFine. The D.A. happen to be at the Elks party?”
    â€œNope. He always makes the country club on New Year’s Eve.”
    â€œOkay. Thanks,” Saxon said.
    He hung up and dialed again. When a voice behind a background of noise and music said, “Country Club bar,” Saxon asked, “Arnold Kettle there?”
    â€œHe was in the bar a minute ago. Hold on.”
    About three minutes passed before a deep voice said, “Hello.”
    â€œThis is Ted Saxon, Arn. Hate to interrupt your party, but I’m afraid you’ll have to come down to headquarters.”
    â€œWhy? What’s up?”
    â€œA female prisoner is claiming forced rape.”
    â€œOh. Can’t it wait till morning?”
    â€œYou must not have heard me clearly,” Saxon said. “I said a female prisoner.”
    â€œHuh? You mean while in custody?”
    â€œThat’s right. In a cell.”
    â€œWho did it?”
    â€œNobody. It’s a frame.”
    â€œWell, who’s she accusing?”
    â€œMe,” Saxon said.
    â€œMy God!” Arnold Kettle said. “I’ll be right down.”
    Saxon hung up the phone and looked at Sergeant Morrison. “Everything is arranged,” he said coldly. “Satisfied?”
    â€œDon’t get yourself sore at me,” Morrison said. “I didn’t rape the woman. You did.”
    Saxon’s face darkened and he started around the counter. The sergeant held up one hand. “Now don’t get excited, Chief. I don’t want any trouble.”
    Saxon paused with his fists clenched. Though Morrison was a big man himself, he regarded the width of the younger man’s shoulders dubiously. “I don’t want any trouble,” he repeated.
    Saxon pointed at the bench along the wall. “Then sit down over there and keep your mouth shut.”
    Obediently the sergeant went over to the bench and sat down.
    Jenny Waite was the first one to arrive. She came in with a snow-sprinkled headscarf over her head, hung it on one of the hooks near the door, and hung an evening cloak next to it. Beneath the coat she wore a flowered evening gown. She was a slightly built woman in her late thirties with a thin, pixie-like face and an amusing manner of cocking her head to one side whenever she asked a question. She was a widow with four children and had been vaguely “engaged” to a local widower named Joe Penny for the past five years.
    â€œJoe dropped me off and went back to the party,” she announced, seating herself on the bench to remove fur-topped boots. “What’s up?” She glanced curiously at Sergeant Morrison, seated only a few feet away on the bench.
    â€œFemale prisoner,” Saxon said briefly. He didn’t bother to introduce her to the sergeant.
    Jumping up, Jenny set her boots against the wall beneath her cloak and approached the counter. “Keys?”
    â€œShe doesn’t require searching, and I