The Floating Corpse

by James Walker

  Dazed, I dropped the gun and whispered, “Catty! What the hell are you doing here?”

  The shocked look dropped off her face, and she scowled like a she-wolf. She planted a hand on her hip and stuck her face out. “Well, it’s nice to see you too!” Then she stamped her foot and stormed off into the kitchen leaving me standing there with egg on my face!

  “HO! You sure ruffled her feathers, young feller!” I turned to the voice, still confounded, to see Doctor Blum standing across the room with one hand in his pocket and the other holding a drink. “I see you’re back. Is the fire under control?” He looked around, “Where are the others? We had a bit of excitement of our own up here!”

  “The fire was nothing but a red herring. Roy- the boss of the gang, who robbed the train said he sent a couple of men to steal the box back! I thought you were in danger!”

  Blum was touched, and maybe a little embarrassed by my concern. I could tell he was trying to save my pride when he walked over and put a hand on my shoulder. Still, I could see he was holding some laughter back. “You’re a good man, Collin. Your father would be proud of you…but you needn’t have worried about us. Your Uncle William and Chief Rowan had cooked up a little scheme. C’mon, I’ll show you.”

  I started to follow him into the hallway to the great room but stopped. “Where was Catty in all this?” I asked him. She was the last person I expected to see this night.

  “I wasn’t here yet,” Catty replied from behind me. She must have come out of the kitchen and fell in behind us.

  I nearly jumped out of my skin. “Sweet Christmas, Catty!” I yelped. She laughed, put a hand on my arm, and apologized. Then she asked, “Why are you all wet?” Her eyes went wide. “Did the Aunt Polly sink?”

  I put a hand over hers and asked calmly, after remembering my earlier blunder. “You know I’m happy to see you Catty, — but how...why are you here? Shouldn’t you be home with your family?”

  She stepped back and crossed her arms over her chest. “I was! All day long. The wake started at noon and by the time I left for the last ferry, the men were near passed out and the women were drunker—and everyone was crying. I had to get out of there. I didn’t think Mr. Gillette would mind if I used my room tonight. I…I need to get some rest before the funeral tomorrow.”

  I stepped forward and put my palm on the side of her face. “I’m sure he won’t mind. Catty…I never really got the chance to tell you how sorry I am about everything.”

  She smiled and whispered softly, “Everything?”

  I smiled back. “No, of course not. I meant everything but that.”

  We gazed at each other like a couple of moon-struck calves when the doctor cleared his throat. We quickly stepped away from each other, blushing as she turned to him.

  “Come along children. You can do your canoodling later!”

  We followed him into the great room where there was quite a sight.

  Next to the semi-circular couch, where William had been perched when the Chief and the Doctor first arrived stood a flatfoot, calmly tapping a nightstick on his open palm. It was the Sargent I met out front of the station a few days ago. Two feet from him sprawled on the couch, were two men in rumpled suits laying slumped against the wall. Neither was moving and I have no doubt that they would have tumbled onto the floor if not for the fact that each of them had an arm outstretched above them that was handcuffed to the wall sconce. Both of them were pie eyed, slightly grinning, and drooling like starving dogs. They didn’t so much as bat an eye as I walked up to get a closer look at them.

  I looked to the copper and asked, “What the hell happened to them?”

  The man in uniform smiled and nodded towards the doctor. I looked to him and he waggled his eyes as he took a sip of his drink.

  “Oh, I just gave them a little something to keep them calm until William and Chief Rowan get back.”

  I looked at the loopy grins on the two men and asked the Doctor, “Do you have any more of that stuff?” I felt like I could use a shot of it myself.

  He grinned but didn’t reply, so I turned to the Sargent. “So, spill already. What’s the story with these two?”

  He grinned and replied, “Not much to tell really. The Chief pulled the four of us from our regular duties and brought us up here with him. He told us to stay out of sight and keep a close eye on the doors and windows. He also told us not to leave the grounds under any circumstances. So, when we heard the commotion in the house and saw the boat was on fire, we stayed out of sight when you and Ozaki tore off like bats out of hell and then the Chief went with Mr. Gillette. Believe me, we weren’t happy about having to hide in the bushes all night, but as soon as you four were out of sight, Frank Chapman appears, and tells us that these two gents were coming up the drive. Then he disappeared into the night and we saw them run up the steps and break in through the terrace doors. I signaled the boys and we snuck up after them. We watched from the windows as they bee lined for the study. Doctor Blum had just managed to get inside and lock the doors before they could get in. Old Doc here kept them outside and they didn’t have a clue we were coming up behind them. They tried to bust the huge oak doors down but they were too sturdy for that. When they drew their guns to shoot off the lock, we jumped them! They put up a hell of a fight, but we managed to cuff them.

  Once the situation was under control we were trying to decide how many of us could go and help at the fire. I didn’t want to underman myself, with these two. These are a couple of dangerous men, if I know anything at all! Then the doctor came up with the idea of drugging them. Wish we could do this with everybody we pinch. They are so sedated that my grandmother could keep them two under wraps!”

  The grin slid from his face and he asked. “How bad was the fire? Was it still burning when you left the dock?”

  “Just like here, everything’s under control. The fire’s out and Ozaki and Inspector Rowan were back on their feet when I left to come up.” Then I added as an afterthought, “Captain Roy is dead.”

  The Sargent’s eyes flew open wide and he sputtered. “Roy? THE Captain Roy? He’s behind this?”

  Catty, who was silent up until now snarled, “That devil!” Then she stepped up and slapped my arm hard enough to make me flinch, then latched on, digging her fingers into my forearm. “What do you mean, ‘Back on their feet’? Are Ozaki and the Chief Inspector alright?”

  Before I could open my mouth, Doctor Blum set his drink on the table and grabbed my other arm. “Do they need medical ATTENTION?”

  “No, No,” I stammered feeling like I was caught in a vise. “I mean…well …I suppose you should have a look at them, Doc. Both took a nasty whack to the head and Ozaki near drowned, but they’ll live.”

  The Sargent stepped up and took his turn at me. “Where did Roy come into all this? Sweet Marie! Half the country’s lawmen have been looking for him! What happened, who killed him? Not that you’ll see any tears from me! I’m just sorry I didn’t get to see that SOB hang!”

  Before I could even answer one of his questions, Catty and the Doctor each began peppering me with more questions, so fast that I couldn’t have answered fast enough if there was two of me.

  I was about to explode. I was wet, tired, cold, and now that it was truly over and everyone who mattered to me was safe, I just wanted to grab a bottle and crawl inside. Their three voices had blended into a buzzing in my ears and I nearly wept with relief when the front door opened, and Rowan called from the foyer. “Sargent! Is everything secure?”

  Everyone let go of me and turned to face the crowd coming into the great room. Rowan and my Uncle were supporting Ozaki between them. Three uniforms brought up the rear. Catty and the Doctor rushed towards them. I made tracks for the bar.

  30

  I drank one and poured another before I returned to the commotion. The two would be thieves were being dragged out to the police car, while the doctor started fussing over Ozaki, who was having none of his ministrations. The Chief Inspector, who looked worse
than Ozaki, with a gash across the bridge of his nose and one eye nearly swollen shut, was being clucked over by his men until he brought them up short. Holding a wet cloth from Catty on his face, he began spitting orders.

  “Enough! I’m alright! Sargent—you and the men take the prisoners right to the station. I want them each in a separate cell from the first one we brought in! Keep the fourth one ready in case someone else pops up! No one is to see or talk to them until I get there.”

  “You’re not coming with us, Sir?” The Sargent asked as he pointed to the box on the coffee table. “What about that?”

  “That stays in my sight until the Feds come to pick it up. I’ll call them from here when I’m ready to head back to the station.”

  “The hell you are!” Blum interjected, as he wrapped a bandage around the head of Ozaki. “Kevin — we are going straight to my office so I can look you over. You probably have a concussion, at the very least!”

  “In a pig’s eye, Tom!” Rowan retorted. “I’m not going anywhere until we get this sordid mess straightened out!” He looked at William. “I have no intentions of looking like the village idiot when they start asking me for explanations.”

  Everyone started objecting at once until Uncle Will threw up his hands and cut them off. “Settle down, Gentlemen.” He turned to the Sargent. “Get the prisoners to the station and carry out your orders, Sargent. When that is done, send a car back for the Chief Inspector. That should give us ample time to…clear the air.”

  Then he turned to the Doctor. “Doctor, if you would be so kind, please take Ozaki up to my room and put him to bed.”

  “Baka on that!” Ozaki snarled as he got to his feet. I do not need any of your western medicine!” he paused and gave a slight bow to the Doctor, “No offence.” He turned back to William. “All I need is some tea and peace and quiet! I go to my own bed, thank you very much!”

  William obviously didn’t agree with that decision, but he also knew that his man could teach stubborn lessons to a mule. He sighed and said, gently. “If you are sure, old friend. At least let the Sargent drop you off on the way to the Ferry. It’s late and we’re all tired.” Then he reached out a put a hand on his shoulder. “I am so sorry, Ozaki. We nearly lost you tonight. I should have seen that coming!”

  Ozaki shook his head. “Karma, Wirriam-san. Our enemy is dead, and we have peace — that is what matters.”

  William nodded sagely. ”you be sure to sleep in tomorrow. We will be back by the afternoon and you can come up then—if you are up to it!”

  Ozaki nodded and turned to follow the Sargent out to the car. He was stiff back and shuffling slowly and even with the loose end of the bandage wafting out behind him, he was a paragon of dignity. William looked to me and jerked his head slightly. I nodded and walked out the front door and up the drive. Not one word did we exchange before Ozaki climbed into the crowded Police car, where he stopped and faced me. Deeply, from the waist, he bowed solemnly to me. I returned it and held it until he got in the car and shut the door behind him.

  When I returned to the great room the Inspector had gone to make his telephone call, and Catty was squaring off with Uncle Will with Blum looking on in concern.

  “Catherine, of course you are welcome to stay here tonight. I do feel, however, that you should retire to your room soon. There are things you should not hear that will be said tonight.”

  Catty stood firm with arms across her chest and staring up at him defiantly. “If it has anything to do with Marquis’ death, then I want to know! You’ve never kept the truth from me before, Mr. Gillette! You know I can take it!”

  William looked to me for support, but he wasn’t going to get any from me! I had my own bone to pick with him. He looked to the doctor, who just lowered his eyes and sipped his drink. After a few moments, he sighed again. “It seems that no one will listen to me tonight…so be it.” He clasped his hands together. “If you are going to stay Catherine, might I impose on you for some light refreshments? I, for one, am famished.”

  She agreed and the doctor seeing the thundercloud on my face beat a hasty retreat with her. “Let me give you a hand,” he called out as he followed her off.

  William’s smile dropped off his mug when he looked at me. His eyebrow shot up and he asked, “Is something on your mind, Frohman?”

  “You might say that,” I snapped back. “Like why you didn’t feel you could trust me with your plan! I looked like a fool running up here—like Don Quixote at a misshapen stone windmill!”

  He returned my glare with an admonishing look. “Of course, I trust you, Frohman. If not for you, Ozaki would be dead. I am extremely grateful for your actions tonight. If you recall, there was never a chance to fill you in on plan. You did not join us until the Doctor and the Chief Inspector arrived and there certainly was not a moment to explain after that.”

  I grudgingly had to accept that. Everything had transpired in a whirlwind afterwards.

  “And, you will remember, I did try to stop you as you ran for the tramway. You were off like a hare and I certainly could not leave the Chief Inspector and Ozaki in their state.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right, Uncle Will. I guess I just feel a bit stupid.”

  “Never feel foolish for trying to do the right thing! You were brave and resourceful tonight, and I could not be more proud of you.”

  I felt my eyes well up with his praise. “Well, I’m just as proud of you, Uncle Will. If not for you, we’d all be dead!”

  He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “On that subject—I am sure that you agree that the ‘official’ version of tonight’s events are that Roy struck Rowan and the Chief Inspector shot him as he fell. That ending is best for all involved.”

  I nodded. “I understand. My lips are sealed.”

  “Good man!” He clapped me on the shoulder. “Now, perhaps you should get into some dry clothes before we wrap this up.” He looked over my shoulder and amended, “Perhaps you might first find the Chief Inspector a comfortable chair.”

  I turned to see Rowan gingerly stepping through the doorway of the study, the bloody rag he held over his nose was dripping and he could barely stay upright. I helped him over to a padded chair, switched his rag for a clean one and gave him my drink.

  “Did you reach the authorities?” William asked as Rowan.

  “I told them I’d telephone and tell them when to meet me at the station. But they’re chomping at the bit, William. I won’t be able to stall them for long.” he replied, looking a bit more alert. “We only have enough time for you to fill me in.”

  “Not before I fix you up.” Doctor Blum informed him as he walked over to join us. He said to my Uncle, “Catherine will be bringing some food and drink in a minute.”

  “Then I’ll go and change quickly,” I said. Pointing a finger at my Uncle, I warned, “Don’t you start without me!”

  William laughed, “I would not dream of it!”

  I decided against getting fully dressed again, rather I opted for pants, shirt, slippers, and a dressing gown. As I joined the gathering at the table in front of the fireplace, It struck me that I was dressed like my uncle would be if he were in costume for one of his Holmes plays. Uncle Will saw the likeness too and laughed.

  “My word, Frohman, perhaps you should take center stage for this final act!”

  “I would, if I knew what the hell was going on!” I retorted, with a grin, as I picked up a plate. “As it is, I’ll just have to eat, drink, and listen carefully as you talk!”

  Dr. Blum snorted and said loudly, “If we’re going to be here until William talks himself out, we’d better freshen our drinks and fill our plates!”

  “We need to get this show on the road!” Rowan put in. “I have to be at the station when they show up to get their box, and I need a bit more on how we got it!”

  “Do not worry, Inspector,” William assured him. “All will be revealed — almost all anyway. Now fill your plates, gentlemen, it would not do to let Catherine’s ef
forts go unappreciated! You have outdone yourself, young lady!”

  Catty blushed and gave a little curtsy at our murmurs of approval. She really had earned the praise! There were plates sliced cheese and smoked meats. Sandwiches, pickles, and even some of Mrs. Wood’s biscuits warmed up. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast, so I heaped my plate well past the point of gluttony. When I finished piling it on, everyone was staring at me.

  “What? I’m a growing boy!”

  We juggled our plates and drinks as we crossed over to the nearby sofa and chairs. The inspector and the doctor both took chairs, leaving me to settle on the short sofa --what my mother would call a loveseat. William set his plate on the coffee table between us all and held his Coca-Cola bottle on his knee. While we were getting situated, he pulled Catty aside and spoke to her in a low voice. He was obviously trying once more to talk her out of hearing what would be said, but she set her face in defiance, shook her head fiercely, and joined me on the sofa. I leaned into her and was going to add my voice to uncle’s, but she just cast an evil eye on me and mumbled softly, “Don’t you dare say it Collin Frohman!”

  I looked at her and I know she could see the pity in my eyes. “Alright then — but, it’s not going to be pretty.”

  She looked a little scared then, but she held her head high and announced, “Whenever you’re ready, Mr. Gillette.”

  Uncle Will grimaced in resignation and gave her a slight bow. Mostly for dramatics, William slowly set his drink next to his plate and rose up. Walking over to the massive fireplace, he reached into a gap, to fetch a sock from between its massive stones. Armed with his pipe and tobacco, he flowed back into the chair and languidly crossed his legs, moving all the while like one of his cats. He didn’t even look at us until he had filled his bowl and struck a match.

  Blandly, he asked. “Just what is it you wish to know, Inspector?”