That, of course, meant that there would be no secret machines found in the red Cadillacs Leibowitz and Hardin were examining now. But Malone had already decided to let that phase of things go on. First of all, it was always possible that he was wrong, and that some such machine really did exist. Second, even if they didn't find a machine, they might find something else. Almost anything, he thought, might turn up.
And third, it kept Boyd decently busy, and out of Malone's hair.
That had been an easy solution. And, Malone thought, the problem of who had been taking the red Cadillacs looked just as easy now, if his answers were right. And he was reasonably sure of that.
Unfortunately, he was now left with a new and unusual question: How do you catch a teleport?
Malone looked up, jarred to a stop by a man built like a brown bear, with a chunky body and an oval, slightly sloping head and face. He had very short brown hair shot through with gray, and gave Malone a small inquisitive stare and looked away without a word.
Malone mumbled, “Sorry,” and looked up at the street sign. He was at 47th Street and Park Avenue. He jerked a hand up to his face, and managed to hook the chunky man by the suit. It fell away, exposing the initials S.M. carefully worked into his shirt. Second Mistake, Malone thought wildly, muttered, “Sorry,” again and turned west, feeling fairly grateful to the unfortunate bystander.
He had reminded Malone of one thing. If he wanted to get even a part of his plan past the drawing-board stage, he had to make a call in a hurry.
He found a phone booth in a bar called the Ad Lib, at Madison Avenue. Sternly telling himself that he was stopping there to make a phone call, a business phone call, and not to have a drink, he marched right past the friendly bartender and went into the phone booth, where he made a call to New York Police Commissioner John Henry Fernack.
Fernack's face was that of an old man, but there was no telling how old. The early seventies was one guess, Malone imagined; the late fifties might be another. He looked tough, as if he had spent all of his life trying to persuade other people that he was young enough for the handball tournament. When he saw Malone, his eyebrows lifted slightly, but he didn't say anything.
"Commissioner,” Malone said, “I called to ask you to do me a favor."
There was caution hidden in the calm and quiet voice. “Well,” Fernack said, “what is it, Malone?"
"Can you have all the robberies for a given period run through the computer?” Malone said. “I need some dope."
"Depends on the given period,” Fernack said. “I can't do it for 1774."
"What would I need data on robberies in 1774 for?” Malone said, honestly interested.
"I never question the FBI,” Fernack said soberly. “But what dates do you want?"
"The past year, maybe the past year and a half."
"And what data?"
"I want every reported crime that hasn't been solved,” Malone said, “and which seems to have been committed by some impossible means. A safe that was robbed without being opened, for instance-that's the kind of thing I mean."
"Every unsolved crime?” Fernack said. “Now, hold your horses, Malone. I'm not at all sure that—"
"Don't worry about a thing, Commissioner,” Malone said. “This is confidential."
"You know how I'd feel about this if word ever got out to—"
"I said confidential, John Henry,” Malone said, trying to sound friendly and trustworthy. “After all, every place has unsolved crimes. Even the FBI isn't absolutely perfect."
"Oh,” Fernack said. “Sure. But confidential, Malone."
"You have my word,” Malone said sincerely.
Fernack said, “Well—"
"How fast can you get me the dope?” Malone said.
"I don't exactly know,” Fernack said. “The last time anything even remotely like this was run through-departmental survey, but you wouldn't be interested-it took something like eight hours."
"Fine,” Malone said. “Eight hours, then. I'll look everything over and if we need a second run-through it won't take too long. I'll let you know as soon as I can about that.” He grinned into the phone.
Fernack cleared his throat and asked delicately, “Mind telling me what all this is for?"
Malone offered up a little prayer before answering, and when he did answer it was in his softest and friendliest tones. “I'd rather not say just now, John Henry."
"But, Malone—” Fernack's voice sounded a little strained, and his jaw set just a trifle-"if you—"
Malone knew perfectly well how Fernack reacted when he didn't get a bit of information he wanted. And this was no time to set off any fireworks in the commissioner's office. “Look, John Henry,” he said gently, “I'll tell you as soon as I can. Honest. But this is classified information; it's not my fault."
Fernack said, “But—” and apparently realized that argument was not going to do him any good. “All right, Malone,” he said at last. “I'll have it for you as soon as possible."
"Great,” Malone said. “Then I'll see you later."
"Sure,” Fernack said. He paused, as if he were about to open the controversy just once more. But all he said was “So long, Malone."
Malone breathed a great sigh of relief and flipped the phone off. He stepped out of the booth feeling so proud of himself that he could barely walk. Not only had he managed to calm down Commissioner Fernack, he had also walked right past a bar on the way to the phone. He had performed several acts, he felt, above and beyond the call of duty, and he told himself that he deserved a reward.
Happily, the reward was convenient to hand. He went to the bar and beckoned the bartender over to him. “Bourbon and soda,” he said. “And a medal, if possible."
"A what?” the bartender said.
"A medal,” Malone said. “For conduct beyond reproach."
The bartender nodded sadly. “Maybe you just ought to go home, Mac,” he said. “Sleep it off for a while."
New Yorkers, Malone decided as the bartender went off to get his drink, had no sense of humor. Back in Chicago-where he'd been more or less weaned on gin, and discovered that, unlike his father, he didn't much care for the stuff-and even in Washington, people didn't go around accusing you of drunkenness just because you made some harmless little pleasantry.
Oh, well. Malone drank his drink and went out into the afternoon sunlight.
He considered the itinerary of the magical Miguel Fueyo. He had gone straight home from the police station, apparently, and had then told his mother that he was going to leave home. But he had promised to send her money.
Of course, money was easy for Mike to get. With a shudder, Malone thought he was beginning to realize just how easy. Houdini had once boasted that no bank vault could hold him. In Mike Fueyo's case, that was just doubly true. The vault could neither hold him out nor keep him in.
But he was going to leave home.
Malone said, “Hmm,” to himself, cleared his throat and tried it again. By now he was at the corner of the block, where he nearly collided with a workman who was busily stowing away a gigantic ladder, a pot of paint, and a brush. Malone looked at the street sign, where the words Avenue of the Americas had been painted out, and Sixth Avenue hand-lettered in.
"They finally give in,” the painter told him. “But do you think they buy new signs? Nah. Cheap. That's all they are. Cheap as pretzels.” He gave Malone a friendly push with one end of the ladder and disappeared into the crowd.
Malone didn't have the faintest idea of what he was talking about. And how cheap could a pretzel be, anyhow? Malone didn't remember ever having seen an especially tight-fisted one.
New York, he decided for the fifteenth time, was a strange place.
He walked downtown for a block, still thinking about Mike Fueyo, and absently turned west again. Between Sixth and Seventh, he had another attack of brilliance and began looking for another phone booth.
He found one in a Mexican bar named the Xochitl, across the street from the C
hurch of Saint Mary the Virgin. It was a coincidence that he had landed in another bar, he told himself hopefully, but he didn't quite believe it. To prove it to himself, he headed straight for the phone booths again and put in his call, ignoring the blandishments of several rows of sparkling bottles which he passed on the way.
He dialed the number of Lieutenant Lynch's precinct, and then found himself connected with a new desk sergeant.
"I'm Malone,” he said. “I want to talk to Lynch."
"Glad to know you, Malone,” the desk sergeant said pleasantly. “Only Lieutenant Lynch doesn't want to subscribe to the Irish Echo!"
"Damn it,” Malone said, “I'm the FBI.” He showed his badge.
The desk sergeant took a good long look at it. “Maybe you are, and maybe you aren't,” he said at last.
"Does the lieutenant know you?"
"We were kids together,” Malone said. “We're brothers. Siamese twins. Put him on the phone."
"Wait a minute,” said the desk sergeant. “I'll check."
The screen went blank for two agonizing minutes before it cleared again to show Lynch's face.
"Hello, Mr. Malone,” Lynch said formally. “Have you found some new little trick to show up poor stupid policemen? Like, say, making yourself vanish?"
"I'll make the whole damn police force vanish,” Malone said, “in a couple of minutes. I called to ask a favor."
"Anything,” Lynch said. “Anything within my poor power. Whatever I have is yours. Whither thou goest—"
"Knock it off,” Malone said, and then grinned. After all, there was no sense in making an enemy out of Lynch.
Lynch blinked, took a deep breath, and said in an entirely different voice, “Okay, Malone. What's the favor?"
"Do you still have that list of Silent Spooks?” Malone said.
"Sure I do,” Lynch said. “Why? I gave you a copy of it."
"I can't do this job,” Malone said. “You'll have to.".
"Yes, sir,” Lynch said, and saluted.
"Just listen,” Malone said. “I want you to check up on every kid on that list."
"And what are we supposed to do when we find them?” Lynch said.
"That's the trouble,” Malone said. “You won't."
"And why not?"
"I'll lay you ten to one,” Malone said, “that every one of them has skipped out. Left home. Without giving a forwarding address."
Lynch nodded slowly. “Ten to one?” he said. “Want to make that a money bet? Or does the FBI frown on gambling?"
"Ten dollars to your one,” Malone said. “Okay?"
"Made,” Lynch said. “You've got the bet-just for the hell of it, understand."
"Oh, sure,” Malone said.
"And where can I call you to collect?"
Malone shook his head. “You can't,” he said. “I'll call you."
"I will wait with anxiety,” Lynch said. “But it had better be before eight. I get off then."
"If I can make it,” Malone said.
"If you can't,” Lynch said, “call me at home.” He gave Malone the number, and then added, “Whatever information I get, I can keep for my own use this time, can't I?"
"Hell,” Malone said, “you've already got all the information you're going to get. I just gave it to you."
"That,” Lynch said, “we'll see."
"I'll call to collect my money,” Malone said.
"Well talk about it later,” Lynch said. “Farewell, old pal."
"Flights of angels,” Malone said, “sing thee to thy rest."
Malone replaced the microphone and headed for the door. Halfway there, however, he stopped. He hadn't had any tequila in a long time, and he thought he owed it to himself. He felt he had come out ahead in his exchange with Lynch, and another medal was in order.
Only a small one, though. He told himself that he would order one tequila and quit. Besides, he had to meet Dorothy.
He sat down on one of the tall bar stools. The bartender bustled over and eyed him speculatively.
"Tequila con limon,” he said negligently.
"Ah,” the bartender said. “Si, senor."
Malone waited with ill-concealed impatience. At last it arrived, Malone took the small glass of tequila in his right hand, with the slice of lemon held firmly between the index and middle fingers of the same hand, the rind facing in toward the glass. On the web between the thumb and forefinger of his left hand he had sprinkled a little salt. Moving adroitly and with dispatch, he downed the tequila, licked off the salt, and bit his teeth into the lemon slice.
It felt better than good; it felt wonderful. He hadn't had such a good time in years.
He had three more before he left the Xochitl.
Then, noticing the time, he moved in a hurry and got out of the bar before temptation overcame him and he started ordering still more. It was nearly six o'clock, and he had to meet Dorothy at Topp's.
He hoped he could find it.
He headed downtown toward 42 Street, turned right and, sure enough, there was a big red sign. It said Topp's. Malone beamed his approval at it. It was just where it ought to be, and he was grateful.
He pushed open the glass door of the place and went in.
The maître d'hôtel was a chunky man with a pleasant face, a receding hairline and, some distance back on his head, dark curly hair. He beamed at Malone as if the FBI agent were a long-lost brother. “Table for one, sir?” he said.
"No,” Malone said, peering into the place. It was much bigger than he had expected. “No,” he said again. “I guess I'll just have a drink at the bar."
The maître d’ smiled and bowed him to a bar stool. Malone sat down and looked the place over again. His first glance had shown him that Dorothy wasn't there yet, but he saw no harm in making sure. Always be careful of your facts, he admonished himself a little fuzzily.
There were a lot of women in the place, but they were all with escorts. Some of them had two escorts, and Malone wondered about them. Were they drunk, or was he? It was obvious that someone was seeing double, but Malone wasn't quite sure who.
He stared at his face in the bar mirror for a few seconds, and ordered a bourbon and soda when a bartender came over and occluded the image. The bartender went away and Malone went on studying himself.
He wasn't bad looking for an FBI agent. He was taller than his father, anyway, and less heavily built. That was one good thing. As a matter of fact, Malone told himself, he was really a pretty good-looking guy.
So why did women keep him waiting?
He heard her voice before he saw her. But she wasn't talking to him.
"Hello, Milty,” she said. “How's everything?"
Malone turned around to get a look at Milty. He turned out to be the maître d'. What did he have that Malone didn't have? the agent asked himself sourly. Obviously Dorothy was captivated by his charm. Well, that showed him what city girls were like. Butterflies. Social butterflies. Flitting hither and yon with the wind, now attracted to this man, now to that. Once, Malone told himself sadly, he had known this beautiful woman. Now she belonged to someone else.
He felt a little bit sad about it, but he told himself to buck up and learn to live with his tragedy. He drank some more of his bourbon and soda, and then she noticed him.
He heard her say, “Oh. Excuse me, Milty. There's my man.” She came over and sat down next to him.
He wanted to ignore her, just to teach her a lesson. But he had already turned around and smiled at her, and she smiled back.
"Hi,” she said. “Did you get the tickets?"
Tickets.
Malone knew there was something he'd forgotten, and now he knew what it was. “Oh,” he said. “Sure. Just a second. I've got to check up."
"Check up?"
"Friend of mine,” Malone improvised hurriedly. “Bringing them.” He gave Dorothy a big smile and climbed down off the bar stool. He managed to find a phone booth, and dialed FBI headquarters on 69th Street and blessed several saints when he found that
the A-in-C was still there.
"Tickets,” Malone said.
The Agent-in-Charge blinked at him. “What tickets?” he said.
"The Hot Seat tickets,” Malone said. “Did you get ‘em?"
"I got ‘em,” the Agent-in-Charge said sourly. “Had to chase all over town and pull more wires than there are on a grand piano. But they turned up, brother. Two seats. Do you know what a job like that entails?"
"I'm grateful,” Malone said. “I'm hysterical with gratitude."
"I'd rather track down a gang of fingerless second-story men than go through that again,” the Agent-in-Charge said. He looked as if his stomach trouble had suddenly gotten a great deal worse. Malone thought that the A-in-C was considering calling a doctor, and would probably decide to make it the undertaker instead, and save the price of a call.
"I can't express my gratitude,” Malone told him. “Where are they? Where do I pick them up?"
"Box office,” the A-in-C said sourly. “I tell you, everybody in Washington must be nuts. The things I have to go through—"
"Thanks,” Malone said. “Thanks a lot. Thanks a million. If there's ever anything I can do for you, let me know and I'll do it.” He hung up and went back to the bar, walking very carefully.
"Well?” Dorothy said. “Where do we go tonight? Joe's hot-dog stand? Or a revival of The Wild Duck in a loft on Bleecker Street?"
There was pride in Malone's manner as he stood there on his feet. There was just a touch of hauteur as he said, “We'll see Hot Seat."
And he was repaid for all of the Agent-in-Charge's efforts. Dorothy's eyes went wide with appreciation and awe. “My goodness,” she said. “A man of his word-and what a tough word, too! Mr. Malone, I congratulate you."
"Nothing,” Malone said. “A mere absolute nothing."
"Nothing, the man says,” Dorothy muttered. “My goodness. And modest, too. Tell me, how do you do, Mr. Malone?"
"Me?” Malone said. “Very well, so far.” He finished his drink. “And you?"
"I work at it,” she said cryptically.
"May I have another drink?"
The Queen's Own FBI Trilogy: Brain Twister; The Impossibles; Supermind Page 21
