Steve Granger (20:09)
Too bad. Hey, pal. See you later. Kidding. You want me, mister? You're the private. I suppose I am. My girl got herself lost. I kind of want her back. Have you tried the police? I don't think the police could help me. But I could if there was enough money in it for. You keep saying words I don't even have to mention. This girl's name. You know her? I don't think I do. Would 500 be enough? You're buying me off, eh, Cole? I don't know what you're talking about. You liar. You're the guy who shot that watchman. You're the guy who slapped Evie Hunter out. Take your hands off me. You followed her to my apartment. You and Your pal was take out around the place. Let go, Steve. Hey, Steve. He's got to. Yeah. I was coming up here. I saw him leave. I heard a hunch things weren't good. Hell, they weren't. Oh, my head's got more lumps on it than a pineapple. He's the same one who tagged me. Yeah, this is Racken Granger. The hospital just called me the watchman. He died of that kind of shot wound that makes Cole Martell a candidate for the. Cal Hendricks and I went to work checking street photographers. After an hour of this, we located an outfit that employed a man named Bamford. His boss told me that Bamford didn't show up for the work this morning. That I don't like. This is his door. It's open. Looks phony. I know. I'll slam the door all the way open. Right. Nobody home, I guess. Shades are pulled down. Let's find a light. You're wrong, Cal. There is somebody home. But permanently? Look, we had nothing from him. He's deader than yesterday's news. Let's see. You going through him? Sure. Here's his wallet, driver's license. This is Bamford all right. Better notify homicide. Well, there's the gun that must have done the job. What's wrong now? Don't you recognize it? I'd a dirty double dealing crooky use my gun. Cal Hendricks notified headquarters. We hung around and told what we knew, which was a little less than minus zero. I had an idea and put it into execution. You're the doorman on duty here? Yes, sir, I am. How long you been on? Since 8 this morning. I'm wondering about a young woman who left this hotel this morning. You aware the hotel's patrons? Oh, yes, sir. Especially the young women. I can see right now that you and I are going to be great friends. The doorman had an eye for the girls, particularly the one I had in mind. Evie Hunt. He'd seen her come out of the hotel with a man whose description was that of Cole Martell. But that was all that he remembered. I looked up Evie Hunt's address in the telephone book and headed there. People in her building said she hadn't been around for a day or two. I went up to her floor and investigated personally. This was it. A one room apartment you could have stuck into a packing crate and had room left over was a typical girl's apartment containing a lot of distaff disarray that afforded me nothing in the way of information. I closed the door behind me and went Back downstairs, I was walking towards the front door of the building when I saw him. Him referring in definite terms to a witness named Harry Garnett. He was pushing an announcer button. By straining myself all out, it wasn't too hard to see it was the button under the name Evie Hunt. When he left, I followed him. When he arrived at his destination, I noted it, sprinted for a phone and made a date with Cal Hendricks. How come you didn't call Rankin down at headquarters? Or are you under the impression that the police department isn't interested? I thought of that cow. Then I thought of the way that Cole Martel slugs you. Oh, yeah, and took away your revolver. What are we waiting for? Cal, I don't know what this caper is, but I have a pretty good idea. I'm glad you do. Some kind of payoff gonna take place. Just where are we? If you don't mind releasing that bit of news. Treading down the corridor towards Alvin Julius apartment. And here we are. Just before we go in, let's press an ear to the door. Oh, you're really gone berserk. First you shoot the old watch. I had to. Then you slug that reporter and finally go up to Granger's office and get rough with him. The only smart person around here is Harry. Oh, yeah? He did what he was told and kept his mouth shut. I'm afraid you're of no more use to us, Cole. Harry put down a gun and you might as well get rid of her too, Harry. Come on, Cal. In we go. Hold it, Julius. You too, Harry. Where did you come from? See? Look on the floor. Sure, that TV Hunt. She was the real leader. She was gonna use me as a blind when Julius and Harry decided to get rid of her. See? Look out. Well, friends, that's the story. I'll be back to wrap up the case in just a minute. Harry Garnett tried a quick shot, but he must have been nervous. Went wide and I got him in the arm. Cal Henricks stood by while I called Rankin at headquarters. Even after Julius and Harry Garnett blurted out their confessions, he was still in a mental haze. I escorted him back to his place. Steve, I'll get it. I thought Evie Hunt came to you for help. Sure she did. She'd pleaded that she didn't want to testify for Coal for a good reason. I don't get it. Lolita was Evie Hunt, not Alvin. Julius. But Julius and Garnet were ready to take over, so she saw a good chance to get rid of him. But she'd have to take the rap for perjury. What's irritive compared to life or the chair? Oh, I don't know, Steve. Aren't there any more nice girls around? Pardon me, Cal. Hey, what are you doing now? Calling a nice girl. Steve Granger again. You've just heard one of the most interesting cases in my files and I'll have another one for you, so be around next time.
