Death Checks In

by David S. Pederson

  Death Checks In

  All Detective Heath Barrington and his partner Alan Keyes want is to get away for a weekend of romance, but they find murder instead when a missing tie leads them to the body of the peculiar Victor Blount, and Heath can't resist the urge to investigate. Who killed Blount, and why?

  Clues turn up around every corner, but what do they mean? The bloody "W," the green spool of thread grasped in the dead man’s hand, the newspaper left at the doorstep: they all lead down a strange and winding road of mystery and danger. As Heath and Alan work together to solve the case, they encounter various and eccentric suspects, old friends, and a hostile Chicago Detective, Marty Wilchinski, who doesn’t like Milwaukee police involved in a Chicago crime. Forced to act on their own, out of their jurisdiction, they race against time to find the killer before Wilchinski files the case closed.

  Praise for David S. Pederson

  Death Comes Darkly

  “Agatha Christie…if Miss Marple were a gay police detective in post–WWII Milwaukee.”—PrideSource: Between the Lines

  “The mystery is one that isn’t easily solved. It’s a cozy mystery unraveled in the drawing room type of story, but well worked out.”—Bookwinked

  Death Goes Overboard

  “[A]uthor David S. Pederson has packed a lot in this novel. You don’t normally find a soft-sided, poetry-writing mobster in a noir mystery, for instance, but he’s here…this novel is both predictable and not, making it a nice diversion for a weekend or vacation.”—Washington Blade

  “Pederson takes a lot of the tropes of mysteries and utilizes them to the fullest, giving the story a knowable form. However, the unique characters and accurate portrayal of the struggles of gay relationships in 1940s America make this an enjoyable, thought-provoking read.”—Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table of the American Library Association

  Death Checks In

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  http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com

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  Death Checks In

  © 2018 By David S. Pederson. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13:978-1-63555-330-7

  This Electronic Book is published by

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, NY 12185

  First Edition: September 2018

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editor: Jerry L. Wheeler

  Production Design: Stacia Seaman

  Cover Design By Jeanine Henning

  By the Author

  Death Comes Darkly

  Death Goes Overboard

  Death Checks In

  Acknowledgments

  I must start by thanking my husband, Alan Karbel. From reading drafts to being my publicist, and for believing in me, always. Thank you, Pookie, I love you. You’re the key to my lock.

  And always, thanks to my dad, Manford, who we lost in 1992, and my mom, Vondell. No matter what I do, Mom is my cheerleader. In large part, I am who I am because of the two of them.

  I must also thank my sisters and their husbands, Debbie and John Kangas, Julie and Frank Liu; and my brother, Brian. Who else but family would put up with my shenanigans?

  Unless it’s my dear friends Jacques and Glenn, Steve W. and Mark B., Mike and Margot, Jeannie and Clif, Dave and Kathy, Justin Peters, Liz K. and Mike R., D.C. and Fern, Rick and B.J., Mike P., Randy and Michael, and Jennifer and Steve. They love me in spite of (because of?) my craziness, and I love each of them.

  Of course, many thanks must also go to Jerry Wheeler, my editor, who I also consider a friend. He is a talent, and could have probably made these acknowledgments read much better!

  Brenda T.S., Deb D., Beth H., Vicki S., Kathi B., Jeff M., and all the B.S. crew, thank you! For believing in me, for being my friend, and for making work more like play all those years.

  And finally, thanks to everyone at Bold Strokes Books who have helped me so much. Special thanks to Sandy and Cindy; you two rock!

  For Mary Fiedler, my champion and friend.

  And for Margot Beckerman and Mike Macione, two of the most non-judgmental, caring, wonderful people I’ve ever known.

  Mike and I have been friends for over thirty years, when back in the day he dragged me home down the sidewalk after a night of a few too many cocktails!

  Chapter One

  June 12th, 1947

  Late Thursday night, we were alone in my apartment, just the two of us. From the radio on the table came the sounds of Bing Crosby singing “Embraceable You,” but other than that all was quiet and the lights were low. He looked up at me with those big green eyes and I could tell he wanted more, as I held him in my arms and danced him around the apartment, singing softly in his ear. He was insatiable, but I was done in. It had been a long day and a long night. Still, his eyes, his gaze, that adorable face were hard to resist. Finally, as the song ended, I set him down and gave him another scratch behind the ears as he rubbed up against my legs and weaved in and out between them.

  “All right, Oscar, you’ve had a saucer of milk, a dance, a tummy rub, and an ear scratching. You are a sweetie, but I have a fellow with two legs whose ears I’d rather be scratching, and there must be a cat somewhere in all of Milwaukee who would be happy to see you, my friend.”

  He looked up at me again, blinked, and let out a soft meow, as if to say, “Maybe so.” He walked with me to the door of my apartment, and I let him back out into the hall to continue his nightly roaming from door to door, looking for love and maybe another saucer of milk or two. After he’d gone, I picked up the phone receiver on the hall table near the door and dialed Kings Lake 5-2835. After a few brrrrrrrrrings, I heard Alan’s deep, masculine voice.

  “Hello?”

  “I just let the cat out.”

  “Of the bag?”

  I laughed. “That’s a curious expression, isn’t it? I wonder what its origins are. But no, our secret is safe, mister, at least for now.”

  “Good to know.”

  “You’re good to know.”

  “That’s good to know, too.”

  “All right, enough.” I laughed.

  “So whose cat did you let out?”

  “Mrs. Ferguson’s. She lives in 310 and lets him roam the halls every night. He goes from door to door and knows I’m a soft touch for an ear scratch and a tummy rub.”

  Alan chuckled. “Lucky cat.”

  “Indeed. Are you packed?”

  “Packed, ready, and able, Detective. A long weekend in Chicago with you is just what the doctor ordered.”

  “I agree. I’ll bring my stethoscope.”

  “You’re in a mood, Heath.”

  “A good mood. As you may recall, our recent attempts to get away haven’t exactly been successful.”

  He laughed harder this time. “To say the least. You have the hotel reservation confirmation letter?”

  “I do. A double room, Edmonton Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, checking in Friday, June thirteenth, checking out Monday, June sixteenth. I have the train tickets, too. The morning train gets us into Union Station before eleven. It’s just shy of two miles to the hotel from the station, so we’ll grab a taxi.”

  “That’s a bit extr
avagant, Heath. We could walk it.”

  “But we’ll have our bags to lug. I think I can splurge on a taxi this one time.”

  “All right, big spender, it’s your nickel. Of course, the way you overpack, your bag probably weighs thirty pounds.”

  I smiled. “Well, it’s difficult to ascertain what one will need, you know.”

  He laughed again. “Very true, but not so hard for me. My wardrobe is a bit more limited than yours. Regardless, I can’t wait.”

  “Well, you’ll just have to wait one more night, Officer. I’ll pick you up at your place at eight a.m. sharp.”

  “I’ll be ready at seven.”

  “Good. Three days, three nights with nothing to do.”

  “Nothing?”

  “You know what I mean, Alan, and by nothing, I mean everything to do with each other. Away from prying eyes, someplace where we don’t know anyone and no one knows us. We’ll just be two fellas out on the town, having a gay old time.”

  “I like the sound of that, Heath. It’s not easy living behind a wall, having two faces.”

  “You’re hardly the two-faced type, Alan.”

  “You know what I mean. My public face for friends, family, fellow officers, and the private face for you and maybe one or two others.”

  I sighed. “Yeah, I know only too well what you mean. This weekend will do us both a world of good.”

  “You know, I’ve never been to Chicago, Heath.”

  “So you mentioned. I still find that hard to believe.”

  “Just never had a reason to go, I guess. For me, growing up in Racine, Milwaukee was the big city. My folks never had much money, and vacations consisted of weekends at the beach or day trips to the zoo. We did go to the Wisconsin Dells once, when I was twelve.”

  “Chicago’s nothing like the Dells, Alan. I think you’ll like it.”

  “I can’t wait. Dinner at the Pump Room?”

  “On a police detective’s salary?” I arched my brow.

  “I’ll order the melba toast and tea.”

  I laughed. “That’s about all I could afford, mister, but we’ll see.”

  “Thanks.”

  Then he got very quiet.

  “What? You still there?”

  “Hmm? Oh yeah, sure. I was just thinking, that’s all.”

  “About the Pump Room?”

  “No, about the nightclubs. I’ve heard and read about them my whole life—the Boulevard Room, the Empire Room, the Tip Top Tap, and Chez Paree.”

  “Swanky. Chez Paree is one of my Aunt Verbina’s favorites.”

  “I want to meet her someday.”

  “Yes, we need to arrange that. Anyplace else of interest?”

  “Well, there’s the Sky Star Ballroom at the Edmonton, right where we’re staying. Did you know Bing Crosby played there last year?”

  “That should be an easy one. I’m listening to the Bing Crosby hour right now.”

  “Keen, me too.”

  “Nice. Well, we can definitely hit a nightclub or two while we’re there, if you want.”

  “Sure, I know.”

  “But?”

  “But we can’t dance. That’s one of the prices we pay for leading secret lives, isn’t it?”

  “I guess so.”

  “It doesn’t bother you?”

  “Of course it does. I’d love to lead you to the dance floor and waltz you about, maybe even do some swing dancing. That looks like a lot of fun. But we can’t. Not in public, and you and I both know that.”

  “So, what’s the point of going clubbing?”

  “Because we can drink, listen to the music, and there will always be single ladies looking for partners. If we each choose a partner and dance close together on the floor, it will almost be like we’re dancing with each other.”

  I heard him sigh. “It will have to do, I guess. But promise me when we get back to the room we’ll push the furniture aside, put the radio on, and do some private dancing.”

  “That, Officer, is a promise. And the room’s a double, but we can push the beds together at night.”

  “And apart again in the morning before the maid comes in.”

  “It’s the way it has to be, unfortunately.”

  “I know, I understand. I really am looking forward to it, but I hope we’re not courting trouble leaving on Friday the thirteenth.”

  I laughed lightly. “Always the superstitious one. You know it’s the only weekend we could get off this month. And my buddy Mike, the dick at the Edmonton, got us a great rate because it’s Father’s Day weekend.”

  “That’s another thing. What about your dad?”

  “What about him?”

  “Won’t he want to see you on Sunday?”

  “I’ll buy him a tie down in Chicago and swing by the house for dinner with him and Mother Monday night after we get back to Milwaukee, just a day late.”

  “Your mother won’t like that.”

  I laughed. “You’re right. I phoned her earlier tonight and told her we were going to Chicago this weekend. She tried her best to make me feel guilty about it, and she kept making that clicking sound with her teeth, but I promised I’d be over Monday night for dinner. It’s funny, you’ve never even met my mother and yet you know her so well.”

  “Well, you do talk about her.”

  “I suppose so. Still, she’s my mom, and he’s my dad.”

  “You’re lucky you still have your folks.”

  “I know. You’ve been on your own a long time without your parents. It would be nice if you could come Monday night, get to know my parents, but…”

  “I know, don’t worry. I’ll have unpacking to do, stuff to get ready for my shift on Monday night. It’s fine. I’m just glad we’re getting away.”

  “Me too. Well, I’ll see you bright and early in the morning, then.”

  “I’ll be there with bells on. Good night, Heath.”

  “Night, Alan.”

  Chapter Two

  The next morning the skies were overcast, fog and light drizzle hanging in the air, and yet there was Alan, his battered tan suitcase in hand, waiting at the curb in front of his apartment building on the west side of town as I pulled up in my old Buick Century. He beamed at me from beneath the brim of his fedora, his Brownie camera about his neck. I got out and opened the trunk for him.

  “Morning, Heath,” he said with a wide grin.

  “Good morning. How long have you been standing out here?”

  “Only about ten minutes.”

  “You could have waited inside, it’s cold and damp out here.”

  “I know.”

  He threw his bag into the trunk next to mine. I slammed it shut and got back behind the wheel as he climbed in beside me. “I was too excited to wait inside any longer.”

  I laughed. “Good, me too. Wish we had better weather, though.”

  “Let it rain,” Alan said. “Nothing can ruin my mood today. I noticed you brought your umbrella.”

  “Yes, it straps right to the side of my suitcase. And good to be prepared, I’d say.”

  “You always are. I like that in you.”

  I smiled. “Good. No sense of ominous foreboding this Friday the thirteenth?”

  “Not yet. I packed my lucky rock, though, just in case.”

  “Your lucky rock? Just when you think you know someone.” I laughed.

  “I never told you because I knew you’d make fun.”

  “Maybe I’d kid you a bit, but I wouldn’t make fun, not of you, ever.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

  “So why is it your lucky rock and how long have you had it?”

  He shrugged and looked a little embarrassed. “I’ve had it since I was a kid. My dad gave it to me after a trip he’d been on when I asked him what he brought me. I know he meant it as a joke, but I didn’t see it that way then. Stupid, huh?”

  “Not at all. I think it’s sweet.”

  He smiled. “Thanks. And ever since he died, I usually carry it wit
h me. It just somehow seems to bring good luck.”

  “I see.”

  “I know, you’re a non-believer, Mr. Skeptical. But it works, at least for me. I was carrying it the day I met you, you know.”

  My heart flip-flopped a bit. “All right, you just made a believer out of me. Let’s get going.” I put the car in gear and headed east toward Wisconsin Avenue and the train station. I parked my car in the lot just beside the depot and we each retrieved our bags from the trunk, I with my monogrammed suitcase and matching train case and Alan with his dad’s old case. I noticed he had added his initials at the end, A.K. A thought occurred to me that new luggage might be a good Christmas gift for him, and I smiled. It had been a long time since I had anyone special to buy Christmas gifts for.

  The depot was bustling with people, heading to and from Chicago and points beyond. The train departed at five after nine, so we didn’t have a whole lot of time. I bought a newspaper from the stand near the lunch counter and a pack of chewing gum for later as I waited for Alan, who had decided to get his shoes polished and shined.

  He smiled at me as he stepped down from the shoeshine stand and gave the boy a quarter. “Better. Can’t be seen in the big city with scuffed-up shoes.”

  I laughed. “Honestly, I hadn’t even noticed. Let’s go, though. We’re short on time. Track two is this way.” Soon the conductor was calling out the familiar “All aboard,” and we climbed up the steps into the train. We found seats together in the third car, choosing window seats facing each other. Our bags and hats tucked in the rack overhead, we settled in for the relatively short journey. Once we rolled out of Milwaukee and the conductor collected our tickets, we felt like we were finally on our way.