The Price of Beauty in Strawberry Land by Gerald W. Darnell Read Free Book Online

looking for you this morning. A Captain Parker has already called twice.   You in trouble?”
    “I am always in trouble,” I shouted back. “Just sometimes more in trouble than others.   Did he leave a number?”
    “Yes, it’s on your desk and your tux is hanging on your door.”
    Dispatch quickly passed me through to Larry.   I told him I was headed out of town and asked if he could arrange to meet me for lunch?   I promised no more than a half-hour.   He agreed and I suggested we meet at Sandy’s on Summer Avenue – it was close to his office and also convenient to me driving out of town.
    Sandy’s was new to Memphis and had grown very popular over the past few months.   Hamburgers were their specialty, but they actually had a good menu, if you could get past the burgers!
      As I expected Sandy’s was crowded – it was lunchtime.   Also, as I expected, Larry was already there when I arrived.   He had claimed a window booth and was working on a Sandy’s Burger and fries when I sat down.
      “You couldn’t wait?   I’m buying lunch – didn’t I mention that?” I hadn’t.
    “No you did not.   But, now that I know, I’ll add a shake and some cheesecake.   Thanks Buddy."
    “Not being personal Larry, but if I were you, I’d skip that shake and cake.   I saw you on TV last week and there wasn’t enough room for you and the reporter on the same screen. What would you dress-out now – about 250?”
    “220 and you know the camera always makes you look heavier than you are. Now, I know we didn’t come here to discuss my diet – so let’s hear it,” he said before downing what was left of his burger.
    “Can you think of any reasons why an ex-mayor, the Chief of Police, the Shelby County Sheriff and various other shifty characters would be having a meeting in a back room of the Manhattan Club?”
    “Dinner?”
    “I’m sure they had dinner, but I believe there is something more to it.”
    “Jeez, Carson. Can’t people have dinner in private without some mystery being involved?”
    “I’m sure they can, but I need to tell you some other things.”
    I told Larry my story, starting with my visit from Monica, the mysterious map that evidently came from Bernie Taylor and then my crazy trip to Arkansas to see Watson Clark.   I finished with my observations from last night at the Manhattan Club.  
    “Interesting,” he said.
    “Yes it is interesting.   And if I can get my hands on that file, I believe we’re going to see some big names take a big fall.   We both know that our Memphis Mafia friends on Beale Street want no part of this city/county consolidation.   The prostitution, gambling, illegal weapons, booze and drug operations would take a real hit – maybe even shut them down.”
    “Interesting,” he said again.
    “We both know a lot of money is changing hands – it has to be.   Otherwise they couldn’t get away with all the things they do.   We just don’t know ‘whose’ hands and I think this file might just tell us that.”
      “Interesting,” he said again.
    “Is that all you can say – interesting!” I exclaimed.
    “Okay, Carson, what do you want me to do?”
    “I want you to check out this guy Bernie Taylor – he works at the Commercial Appeal and I think he knows where this file might be.   I also think he might be in danger.   Watson has himself hidden away in Arkansas and you can check on him later – he’s so scared we would never get the file from him anyway.   I also need you to re-open the investigation into Barry Lassiter’s death.   I’ll offer even money that somebody threw him over that rail, and I have a pretty good guess as to who did it.”
“You want me to make some waves – huh?”
    “Absolutely not.   Think up some excuse to re-open the death investigation and keep everything on a low key – especially concerning Bernie Taylor.”
“Okay – what else?” Larry asked.
    “Just stay in touch.   I’ll be in Humboldt for a few