Solve by Christmas

by Amber Schamel

  “I made a polite request for information, and Miss Leslie seems to think she has the authority to bar me from it.” Jasper folded his arms and leveled his glare at the pig-headed secretary.

  “Why, that can’t be true. Bet has always been such a kind and helpful lady in all my experience, detective. She’s my favorite person to run errands for simply because she is so cheerful.”

  Miss Leslie’s face melted into a smile.

  “See there, who wouldn’t move Pike’s Peak for such a lovely smile?” Denny picked up the letters and the telegram slip and shoved them into his leather satchel. “There must be some misunderstanding. Just what information are you looking for, detective?”

  “A few employee files.”

  “Ah, of course.” Swiping his cap from his head, Denny leaned across the desk and lowered his voice. “Do you know, Detective Hollock has hunted up a horrible threat to the factory? He’s in the process of ferreting out the culprit, and it’s ever so important. I’d love to tell you more details, Bet, but that’s all we’re permitted to say now. Do you think you could help us solve the case by bringing out a few files for us to peruse? If it’s too much trouble, I suppose we could—”

  “No, no, Denny. It’s not too much trouble. I’d be happy to help. But do me a favor and teach your detective friend a few of your manners.” She slid back her chair and crossed to the file cabinet. “Lab employees?”

  Unbelievable. Jasper’s glare shifted to the errand boy. Did the brat always get what he wanted?

  Denny quirked a brow.

  “Oh, uh, yes.” Denny’s elbow met his ribs. “Please.”

  With a smug grin, Miss Leslie returned carrying the files and held them out. Jasper reached for them, but she pulled back, her brows rising.

  He forced a smile. “Thank you, Miss Leslie.”

  She plopped the files into his waiting arms and started for the interview room. “Don’t make a mess of them, or you’ll be banned for life, Hollock.”

  He chomped down hard on his tongue. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth, but it was better than opening it again.

  After she disappeared, he faced Denny. The boy gave a shrug. “I told you. You need me.”

  “Hmmph.” Jasper hefted the files and headed for Mr. Rudin’s conference room. “Bet? Just what kind of term is that?”

  Denny matched his pace. “Her name is Elizabeth. Her niece calls her Bet, so I picked it up. She thinks it’s cute.”

  It would be cute. If she weren’t so insufferable.

  “So, what do you say? We make quite the team, don’t ya think?”

  Jasper halted, his free hand curling at his side. He was not in the mood for pestering. “Deliver the telegram, Denny.”

  “Right. I’d better get these out before they close. I’ll catch up with you later, boss.”

  “Denny.” Jasper’s call caught the boy before he rounded the corner. “Don’t call me ‘boss’.”

  A mischievous grin, and the lad was gone. At least Jasper had a few moments of peace to gain some clues out of these files. Heaving the load under his right arm, he opened the conference room door then spread them across the table.

  He eased into a chair and rubbed his temples. Surely, the files would give him a hint at a motive for the break-in. One of the lab employees must have ties to the Wobblies. But how could they? Jasper had done extensive background checks on each employee before Mr. Rudin’s decision to hire.

  He flipped open the first file and sifted through the contents. He remembered each of them as soon as he read their name. He’d checked out their former employment, scouted out their housing districts, even spoke to their families. Especially in-laws. In-laws usually told any secrets people tried to hide.

  After several hours of poring over the files, he slammed the last one shut and closed his weary eyes. They had to be bloodshot after staring at scribbled notes and fine print. And still no leads.

  Think, Hollock.

  The intruder either came in through the window or had a key. The window…could be almost anyone. The key narrowed it to three people, Charlie, Kendall, and—Mr. Rudin. Of course! Why hadn’t he thought to ask in the first place? Mr. Rudin had been at the factory nearly all night. Perhaps he entered the lab for some reason, and all this fuss was over nothing.

  Jasper exhaled and opened his eyes. Denny, arms crossed and leaning on the table, stared at him. “Any clues?”

  Clearing his throat, Jasper stood and tugged his vest back into place. “No.”

  “You were thinking about something else then. I saw a grin before you opened your eyes.” Mischief sparkled in the boy’s eyes. “You were thinking of your girlfriend, weren’t you?”

  He shot Denny a glare. “There are other things to smile about, you know.”

  Denny quirked a brow. “She’s pretty, isn’t she?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I was not thinking of any such thing. I’d simply remembered something I hadn’t thought of before that may solve this whole case.”

  The lad’s smile faded. “Are cases the only thing that makes you happy?”

  Lifting one shoulder, Jasper glanced toward the ceiling. “Quite possibly, yes.”

  “That’s why you’re going to be the best detective in the history of Denver.” Denny punched his arm. “What’d you remember?”

  “I need to speak with Mr. Rudin. He was in the factory late into the night and may have been our so-called intruder.”

  Denny’s head jerked back. “Ol’ Mr. Rudin? How boring.”

  “Let’s hope so. Come on.”

  Did he just invite the kid to go with him? His jolly mood must be getting the best of him. “On second thought, maybe it would be best if you returned these files to Miss Leslie. She’d be glad to take them from you.”

  With a sigh, Denny scuffed mud from his shoe into the rug. “Aw, one of these days I’m not going to be an errand boy anymore.” He picked up the files and jaunted toward the employment department.

  Jasper was all too happy to head in the opposite direction. Although, Miss Leslie was at least more pleasing to look at than Mr. Stosch. However similar their temperaments.

  Chapter Five

  Mr. Stosch was absent, so Jasper tapped on Mr. Rudin’s door.

  “Yes?”

  Easing the door open, he poked his head inside. His employer stood before the window, gazing to the street below. The posture made Jasper nervous, given his mentor’s state of mind. “Good evening, sir.”

  “Jasper, I expected you would be headed home by now. It’s snowing, you know.”

  That statement wasn’t reassuring, either. “Yes, well, sir, I had a few things to look into first. I wondered if you might have seen the lab recently.”

  Mr. Rudin’s white brows dipped as he turned and focused his full attention on Jasper. “The lab? No. Is there some reason I should?”

  “Not particularly, I just thought you might like to see how they’re getting along. I know businessmen like yourself often like to stop in unannounced to see how the manager handles things.” Jasper took a few casual steps into the room and clasped his hands behind him, hoping to appear nonchalant. He never was very good at that.

  “Are you unhappy with the manager’s performance? Has he done something to arouse your suspicions?”

  “Suspicious? No, sir. What reason would I have to be suspicious?”

  Mr. Rudin’s arms folded across his ample form. “You’re lying. Your eye is twitching. It always does when there’s something you should tell me.”

  Dash it. The old man knew him too well. But he couldn’t divulge his suspicions. Not yet.

  “Hello, Mr. Rudin, I’ve a note for you from the employment department.” Denny swept into the room, pulled off his cap, and extended his hand.

  Thank You, God.

  Mr. Rudin accepted the note and glanced over the contents. “Good. Tell Miss Leslie nine o’clock will be fine.” He returned the paper and refocused on Jasper. “Looks like we have another chap for you t
o stalk, detective.”

  “Please, Mr. Rudin, you know I don’t stalk your potential employees.”

  The man’s dark eyes twinkled. He crossed to his desk and held out his candy bowl to Denny. “Here, have one of these. They’re very good. Made with Rudin sugar, wouldn’t you know.”

  Denny took one, popped it in his mouth, and closed his eyes. “Like a piece of heaven, Mr. Rudin.”

  A flatterer for certain. But that could be a good trait if properly channeled. Jasper waved away the offered candies and walked to the window. “You are spot on, sir. Time to be making our way home before the snow gets worse. Will you be going soon?”

  Mr. Rudin let out a long breath and plopped into his leather chair. “I suppose so.”

  Hmm. He’d better look into Mr. Rudin’s family affairs. Perhaps something there motivated his dismal thoughts.

  “All right then, goodnight, sir.”

  The old man’s eyes had misted over, and he seemed far away. “Yes, goodnight.”

  Jasper jerked his head toward the door, motioning Denny to follow. He left the office door slightly ajar, hoping the lack of privacy would keep Mr. Rudin from doing anything rash.

  “This isn’t the way out,” Denny said to his back. “Where are we going?”

  “I want to take a turn around the factory. Just to make sure everything is as it should be before we leave.”

  “This is why you’re the detective, and I’m the sidekick.”

  Jasper stopped. Denny slammed into his back. “You are not my sidekick. It’s just me. Alone.”

  “Even Jesus had disciples.”

  “Yes. And they crucified Him.”

  Moving again, Jasper lengthened his strides. The lab was tightly locked, and no one lingered in the hallways nor in the other offices as he checked them one by one. Miss Leslie had gone home, though her office still smelled of lilacs. The pulp warehouse was empty as were the boiling rooms.

  “This factory is kinda creepy when it’s so quiet.” Denny’s voice echoed through the Crystallization Room.

  Jasper held a finger to his lips before proceeding down the metal staircase. If anyone was loitering around, he didn’t want to announce their coming.

  They rounded the enormous machine, their shoes clacking on the concrete, when Jasper came to a halt. Something was amiss. A cloth sack was tossed aside, and a hatch was open on the crystallizer. He glanced around, searching for signs of recent occupation. The room was still as a graveyard. Well, besides Denny’s gasp from behind.

  “Has someone been in here?”

  “Don’t touch anything.” Jasper twisted and caught the boy’s gaze. “You hear?”

  “Sure, boss.”

  Too concerned to be annoyed, Jasper ignored the comment and picked up the sack. Little wisps fell like fairy dust as he did so.

  “Is that…hair?” Denny’s nose wrinkled.

  “Human hair.” Jasper turned the sack over. No printing. Just a plain white sack. His gut clenched as he stepped toward the open hatch. Several strands of short hair rested on the lip.

  This was bad.

  “Denny, find the janitor. If he’s still around, bring him here at once.”

  The boy scurried away without a word. Jasper’s gaze drifted over the giant machine, then dropped to the floor. Something shiny protruded from beneath. He bent, expecting to find a forgotten nickel, but a key emerged. RSF engraved one side.

  He rubbed his fingers together. Rudin Sugar Factory? Could it be an employee’s key? Why would one of the workers possess one? And how many doors would it open?

  The lab?

  “I found him, boss.” Denny came trotting toward him, panting as he waved the janitor onward.

  “Charlie, do you know how to open this machine?”

  “Sure, detective.” He huffed a strand of graying hair out of his eyes. “But why?”

  “Someone has sabotaged this machine.” Jasper held up the sack. “Please open it at once.”

  The janitor pulled keys from his pocket.

  “Wait.” Jasper reached for Charlie’s ring of keys. “Which is the key to this room?”

  Charlie shrugged. “I only have a master key, not one to this specific room.”

  “Fine, which is that?”

  The janitor’s grimy finger picked a steel key out of the bunch. Jasper held the key he’d found beneath the machine against it. A perfect match, except one was slightly longer.

  Jasper shoved the keys back at Charlie. “All right, get this thing open.”

  Charlie made quick work of opening the main compartment. Jasper peeked inside. Hair clung with static around the top of the dome and combined with the gooey mixture at the bottom in a mortared mess.

  Just as he suspected. Complete contamination.

  If this got out, if the newspapers got word, if the Wobblies…this would be disastrous. Rudin Sugar would have a hard time salvaging their reputation and not losing massive amounts of business. The Wobblies would exploit the incident. Anything to damage a nonunion company.

  Jasper’s fingernails dug half-moon shapes into his palms. He had to stop it.

  Chapter Six

  Jasper’s exhaustion tripled as he slogged through the wet snow. It had taken hours for Charlie to get the hair cleaned out. But at least no one else would know of the incident. He’d threatened Denny with jail if he opened his mouth, and Charlie was all too happy to keep quiet for an extra dollar. But with this new development, Jasper could no longer keep the threat from Mr. Rudin. Divulging the issue would make things worse. Well, the man hadn’t stayed at the factory again tonight. That was hopeful.

  By the time Jasper approached Montgomery Court, the paperboy was unloading stacks of the latest printing at the corner. He tipped his cap as Jasper passed. “Morning, sir.”

  Was it really morning already? He glanced at the stack of newspapers. Sure enough, the date was December 2, and already they were touting the news of some contamination of—

  Skidding to a stop, Jasper nearly fell to the icy walk. He scrambled to keep his balance, bracing himself on the brick building for support.

  “Are you all right, sir?” The paperboy’s eyes hadn’t been so wide a moment ago.

  Standing at the wall, Jasper allowed a few pants before inching back toward the corner. “Let me see those.” He dug in his pocket for a nickel and dropped it in the boy’s hand.

  Sugar Factory Contaminated! Hair Found In Goods At Rudin Sugar Factory.

  Jasper coughed. How? The perpetrator must have gone directly to the press. Would an angry employee do such a thing? Perhaps. But more likely someone else. Someone who knew the press game. Someone like the Wobblies.

  He trudged up to his apartment. He would find out who was behind this article as soon as the newspaper office opened. For now, he needed sleep.

  *****

  Jasper gulped down the rest of his black coffee and plunked his head down on the kitchen table. With his mind running in circles over this case, sleep had been as obstinate as Miss Leslie. Then after he’d finally dozed off, images of Mr. Rudin twirling a pistol on his desk haunted his dreams.

  He lifted his head and gave it a good shake. Keep your mind focused, Hollock.

  The key was his best clue. Being a master narrowed down suspects to those possessing one. Charlie did, obviously, but his was still on his ring. Kendall had a lab key, but not a master. Who else?

  A knock rattled his door. He dragged himself from the chair and flicked the lock.

  “I didn’t say a peep, boss.” Denny clutched a newspaper to his chest. “I give my word.”

  “I know, kid. The perpetrator must have done it. I saw the paper on my way home last night. Neither you nor Charlie would have had time to get the word to the paper.”

  “Well, you better perk up and come quick. Mr. Rudin wants to speak with you.”

  “I imagine he does.” Jasper exhaled. “Let me grab my coat.”

  Lord, help me. I’ve not progressed with Rudin’s first issue, and now I have
to make another.

  He followed Denny to the street where the boy stopped to strap on a pair of skis. Jasper raised a brow. “Do those things really work?”

  “Of course, they do. I’ll be dashing through the snow like a one-horse open sleigh.” Denny laughed and pushed off with a couple sticks. “Race you to the factory?”

  Jasper took a step. But his shoe slipped on a patch of ice, and his backside whacked the ground. Wet cold instantly seeped through his trousers. Dash it. This was going to be an enjoyable day.

  When Jasper slogged into the factory, Mr. Stosch crossed his arms and chuckled as Jasper brisked past him. “Weather not to your liking, detective? You could have wiped the snow from your back before tramping up here.”

  Ignoring him, Jasper threw open the door to Mr. Rudin’s office. “Mr. Rudin?”

  A thump sounded beneath the giant desk. “Oy.”

  “Mr. Rudin!” Jasper’s heart skipped a beat as he rushed around the desk. God, don’t let me be too late.

  His employer was down on all fours, backing out from under the desk.

  “Sir, are you all right?”

  “Dah.” He sat up and rubbed the crown of his head, disheveling his white hair. “I was looking for my key. It has gone missing.”

  One of Jasper’s brows ticked. “Which key, specifically, sir?”

  “My master key opens every door in the factory. I keep it in that drawer there.” He pointed to a tiny drawer tucked into the underside of the desk. “But it’s gone.”

  Jasper patted his breast pocket and pulled out the key he’d discovered. “Did it look like this?”

  Mr. Rudin’s snowy brows scrunched together as he took the key and held it close to his nose. “This is it, all right. How did you end up with it?”

  One part of the mystery solved, anyway. “I found it at the scene last night.”

  His employer stood, bracing himself on the desk as his aging legs adjusted. “Scene? Does it have to do with this?” His knuckle rapped the newspaper on his desk. “How does an article about the contamination of my factory hit the paper without me knowing?”