DEADLOCK Pa eee ToL gine private detcetives to be tired-lookin ae tere SES Rr een rr See eee naturally upset. She wants to know how and why the accident ee eens POE ee eee ee rene ee ere eee ee a ee en ay yment value and its quality of writing. en a ‘DEADI NAV WLU ual vea @ ee geen ee eeeDEADLOCK Stage 5 Vie Warshawsk’s relations tel hese should say ac howe andgeta husbend andchldrentokeep he buy. Viedoesn't Tisteato cher, She use ges on with her work asa private ‘etetve, And thee’ no peoblem ia finding that Kind of workin Chicago, where murder happeasall heme “When Boom Boom, «former icehockey sa, dies in an accident by aling unde ships he cty mourns: Nobody suspects murder, ButBoom Boom was Vie'scousin, and she ‘was very fond [Link] how a song youngiancan juseslipandfallincochewaerlkethat Then ‘hefinds Boom Booms gicend going through bis pereonal paged in hie apartment. Vie didn't ren know that Boom Boom hed a gilcend Soon Vic knows that she's on a murder investigation, Somebody elsekrowsito0 because another murder quickly fellows, and some rather sage secidens But Vie has 2 ‘ecypesonalintcetin he case, Nothing i going to stop ber Sats Paretsky (19474) was bom in Kansas, USA, and spent ‘many yers working Chieagn. Shei famous for ec best= telling erime thrillers about VI. Warthawak, inclding Tasie Shook, which won the 188 Silver Dagger AwadOXFORD BOOKWORMS ———————— 1 oe "tienes i T= ‘| ~ Black Series ~~ ‘ — ob seg 100 to Ainge (40 nbons Sear tiiey Trials “Teoays tee Wee Te dno Cow a pie ee ann EM an me ome cist que eer Boats Thi Sey apa rl 1 ste rime lab DEADLOCK Theta es pes een —_ sNncentnd cad Dicker “Ting ge Ey Br SNevNotee Oley se hele Ree dior Sara Paretsky seg 00 en Snes 2:0 eat "ped iy “Faslie Phere Tasty inne Bh eet Pesan Joby ‘eibcalcew ions Nee os Wyo ee) ‘Write bendy Date Raga a . Mary tess ol ob land ade enrol for heir retold by Rowena Akinyemi ~Green Ato ed aden eee sasege2 7o0tasvor) Sane (0 eames Sickie Crane Dem Boe Tinted Rar Lat Seon ‘hinds hvenacenWondtnd Lav Corl “Gaver Tees Joab Sei TooOotackoed Ral or Mark fpansrs] ATaeafTwo Get Cons Dikene ‘hesiver Sword ln ear Soe (1000 : Tiernan Alay Hope OXFORD BOOKWORMS COLLECTION ———— ~ etn byl rou ashore case ond nade “ext bg np yy Tie ence: OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS Frome be Gave Cine Neve Fae henry St Sein Wing, Roald Dah, hres Ate Oi, ‘Seto Mego et, GhhanGrams, Randal, ag Noet, Fork Setuon Raped Gobel Pk ge me te oy* alan Se Oxted ONCE Onlent New Yok ‘te ln Bago Bonny ca Cpe Dart Bi "hip Tey Taco sol omen ‘sn dan inl ein opr Sr Pray 984 ‘isn ans Oned Uy FS “Thr teakineld attosecond dt aha Uywopatentearthersa loro eo ‘onlonbengngeon entre praee ‘Type Wyre Typing inedin tnd ‘Gry testime Death of a hockey player ‘Mote than a thousand people attended Boom Boom's funeral ‘Many of them were supporters ofthe Black Hawks ice hockey team, Boom Boom, one of ice hockey's biggest stars, was a player with the Black Hawks until he shattered his let ankle three years earlier. Fora long time he refused ro believe that he ‘wasn't going to skate again. Bucin the end he accepted medical opinion and got a job with the Fudora Grain Company. Ie was ‘Clayton Phillips, Eudora’s vice-president, who found Boom Boom's body floating close to the wharf last Tuesday. Boom Boom’s father and mine were brothers, and we'd ‘grown up together in South Chicago, closer than many brothers and sisters. His real name was Bernaed, but his childhood friends had called him Boom Boom and the name followed him rom childhood into his days with the Black Hawks and beyond, He loved the name and everyone used it Twas out of sown when Boom Boom died, and by che time the police managed to contact me, the funeral had already been arranged by our Polish relations. Boom Boom had made me his ‘executor, but | knew he wouldn't care how he was buried so T ddido’s argue with the arrangements. ‘After the faneral, Lieutenant Bobby Mallory foughe through the crowd to me, wearing his police uniform. My father had ‘worked for the Chicago police and he and Bobby had been good Friends. ‘Twas sorry about Boom Boom, Vie. [know how much you 1Deadlock ‘wo cared about each other.” “Thanks, Bobby.’ A cool April wind made me feel cold in my ‘wool suit: IWwished Pd worn a cost. ‘Are you going to the party? May I ride with you?” Bobby agreed, and helped me into the back seat of his police “Bobby, I couldn't get any information from the Eudora Grain Company when I phoned. How did Boom Boom die?" Bobby frowned. ‘Tknow you think you'ce tough, Vic, but do you realy need to know the details?” “I just want to know what happened to my cousin. He was young, strong; it’s hard co imagine him falling into the water Tike that.” Bobby’sexpression softened. “You're nos thinking he drowned himself, are you?” moved my hands uncereainly. He left an urgent message for sme on my telephone answering machine. I wondered if he was feeling desperate about something,” “T suppose you'll go on asking questions until you get an answer.’ Bobby paused. ‘A ship was tied up at the wharf and Boom Boom went under as she pulled away. His body was badly chewed up. Ie was a wet day, and that’s an old wooden ‘wharf - very slippery inthe rain. think he slipped and fell in. 1 don’t think he jumped.” ‘We stopped in front of Aunt Helen's tidy brick house. The next wo hours were difficult for me. The small house filed with cigarette smoke, with the smell ofPolish cooking, with the noise of children. Some of my relations told me it was a pity I didn't have a family to keep me busy. Others told me!I should go and help in the kitchen. Death of abockey player ‘Boom Booms grandmother, aged cighty-wo, fat and dressed io shiny black, caught my arm, She told me that Boom Boom had been in trouble at Eudora Grain. ‘People are saying he stole some papers from his boss,’ she said. ‘My eyes burned, ‘I's not true! Boom Boom never stole anything in his life, even when he was poor.” Grandma stared at me with watery blue eyes. “Well, that's what people are saying,’ she repeated. "They're saying he threw Ihimslf under the sip so that he woulda't be arrested.” shook my head and pushed my way tothe front door. [went ot int the cold spring ait. While Hooked doubsfully along the sereet, wondering whether I could find a cab, a young woman joined me. She was small, with dark aie falling staight jus, below her ears, and gold-coloured eyes. She wore fashionable ‘grey silk suit, and I thought I'd seen her somewhere before. “You're Boom Boom’s cousin aren't you?” she asked with a aqvick smile. ‘'m Paige Carringzon. “Tthought I ecognized you. Ive seen you dance afew times. Carrington was dancer with the Windy City Ballet She gave the triangular smile audiences loved. ‘Td been secing alot of your cousin the last few months. think we were inlove. wanted ro meet you. Boom Boom talked about youll the time, He loved you very much.” “Yes. hadn't seen him for some months... Are you deving back tothe city? Can I beg a ride?” “Ofcourse.” followed Paige Carrington down [Link] drovea silver ‘Andi 5000. Either the Windy City Ballet paid extraordinarily wel, or she came from a wealthy family. She didn’t say much on the drive back to town. I was quit 5Deadlock Death of ahockey player 100, thinking about my cousin. I wished I'd seen more of him during the past few months. Paige dropped me at my office. “You're Boom Boom’s executor, aren't you? she asked, Tnodded. ‘Td like to go to his place and get some things I left there. 1 don't have a key." "Sure. Iwas planning. go there tomorrow afternoon to look at his papers. Want to meet me there at wo?" “Thanks. You're sweet ... Do you mind if call you Vic? Boom Boom talked about you so much that I feel I already know you, And you must call me Paige.’ ‘My meeting with Boom Boom’s lawyer was short, and I drove ‘my Mercury Lynx over to Boom Boom’s apartment soon after twelve o'dlock. The Black Hawks had paid Boom Boom a lot of money to play hockey, and he'd paid overa quarter ofa million for an apartment in a big glass building on Lake Shore Drive with a fantastic view of Lake Michigan, opened the door ofthe apartment and went through the hall into the living room, my feet soundless on the thick carpet. I looked at the view through the big window, and then realized that I could hear something moving. I wasn't alone in the partment. [looked around the room for a weapon and picked up a heavy gold trophy from a magazine table, I moved cautiously dovn the hall to the other rooms. The door of Boom Boom’s study was open. Hier back to me, Paige Cartington sat at Boom Boom’s desk, looking through some papers. I felt both silly and angry. Quietly, I returned to the living room and put the trophy back 4 ‘on the magazine table. Then I went back to the study. ly, aren't you? How did you get in? Paige jumped in the chair and her face flooded with red. “Ob! I wasn't expecting you until wo." “Tthought you didn't have a key.” ‘Please don't get angry, Vie. Ihave wo beat the theatre attwo, so I persuaded the watchman to come up and let me in. wanted Her back to me, Paige Carrington stat Boom Boom's deskDeadlock to find some letters I wrote to Boom Boom. They'ze terribly, terribly personal and I don’t want anyone to see ther." ind anything? T asked. ‘Tve only been through two drawers, and there are sx others ‘with papers in them.’ Isat on te desk. ‘Ihave to examine everything, so why don't youleaveitto me? I promise you that if see any personal letters won't read them —T'l put them in an envelope for you.” ‘She nodded. ‘I brought a suitcase with me. ll pack up the clothes I eft here and leave.” ‘She went into the bedroom snd I looked around the study. Every wall was covered with hockey photographs. In the middle ‘of one wall, looking odd among the hockey players, was photo of me, taken years ago when I was at the University of Chicago, ‘turned back to the desk. There were some sports magazines nit, and a newspaper called Grain News, filled with information about the grain business, and interesting, suppose, ifgrain was important t0 you, “Is that somed with her suitcase. T hesitated. ‘ve been wondering if Boom Boom jumped under the ship deliberately; but if he was reading a newspaper about grain, then maybe he had become really involved and happy with his job at Eudora Grain.” “Tthink Boom Boom was happier after he met me." “If that’s true then I'm pleased.” Her eyes widened. ‘fthat's true? Explain what you mean!" “When I last saw Boom Boom in January, he was still depressed about his ankle. If your friendship helped him, then special? Paige came back into the room 6 t i Death of a bockey player P'm lad ... Did he tell you why he wanted to talk to me?" ‘She stared. ‘Was he trying to contact you?” “He lef an urgent message for me on my answering machine bbuthe didn’e say what it was about. I wondered ifhe wanted my professional help because of trouble at Eudora Grain.” She shook her head. ‘I don't know. Ihad dinner with him the day before he died, and he didn’t talk about you or about any trouble at Eudora Grain. Look, I must get back to the theatre now. I'm sorry if upset you easlier." | stayed in Boom Boom's apartment all day, going through his papers. I was hoping to find a leter that said: ‘Dear Vic, 've been accused of stealing some papers. Please help. I've been private detective for six years, and I expect to find secrets in people's desks. But I found no secrets, and no letter to me. I didn’ find Paig’s lsters, either. On my way out ofthe building, stopped to talk to the watchman. I explained who Twas, and asked him not to let anyone into the apartment unless I was there. (On the way home, I was stil wondering about the message ‘Boom Boom left on my answering machine. Finally, I said to myself, “You're a detective, Vie. If you really want to be sure about Boom Boom, try investigating what happened.”2 On the waterfront “My North Sie apartment isthe large, inexpensive top for of grey stone building on Halsted. The next morning, I woke up around six to another cold, cloudy day. I put on my ronning shoes and did eight kilometres around Belmont Harbour and back. had breakfast, picked up the Lynx from the front of my building, and drove to the Port of Chicago, which covers ten kilometres ofthe shore of the Calumet River. I got lost trying to find my way past some stel factories and a Ford warchouse, and it was nine-thity before I found Eudora Grain’s regional office. Iwasa modem building with wide windows looking out on tthe river. A difty old ship was tied up to the wharf by heavy cables, and a railway ran from the wharf into a huge warehouse to the right ofthe office building. ‘Clayton Phillips, Eudoras vice-president, came to meet me. He wasinhis early forces, with palebrown har and pale brown coves, wearinga grey silk summer suit. [dished him immediately, pethaps because he didn't offer me any sympathy for my cousin's death ‘Maybe you could show me exactly where my cousin went ing Tsaid. ‘[Link] wind whistled around the river, and grain dust blew up at us. We walked tothe end ofthe wha “Your cousin was probably standing here, It was a wet day. ‘We had to top loading every few hours and wait for the rain to On the waterfront stop. The wooden wharf is old, and it gets slippery when it's wet. Boom Boom probably slipped and fell n. He did have that bad leg." “This isn't the ship that was here the day my cousin died, is ie ‘No, of course not,’ Phillips said. “The Lucella Wieser was supposed to be here, but she had an accident; so the Bertha Krupnik came up instead of the Lucella” “Where's the Bertha now?" Phillips shook his head. ‘She belongs tothe Grafalk Steamship Line. You could ask there.” “Where is their office? Id like to ask if anyone on the Bertha saw Boom Boom go in." ‘Tdon’t think anyone's going tobe able to tell you anything. I anyone had seen your cousin go in, they'd have said something at the time.” “Thavea licence." fished my private investigators licence out of my walle. ‘ve asked a lot of people a lot of questions with Phillips's wooden expression didn't change, but his face tured red. ‘ll go over with you and introduce you to the right person.” 1 followed Phillips down the wharf and around the back of the office, to where his green Alfa sat shining next to a rusty tuck. He started the car and turned on co 130th Steet, Inoticed his hands gripping the stering whee tightly. “Why do you fee! you have to come with me? I asked. He ido’ say anything fora few minutes. Finally, he said in his deep, tight voice, “Who asked you to come down to the Port?Deadlock ‘No one. Boom Boom was my cousin and I want to find out «about his death." ‘We drove through the entrance tothe main Port. The Port of ‘Chicago offices looked modern and efficient. The Grafalk Steamship Line offices were half-way along the wharf and Phillips was clearly @ frequent visitor. He led me through the front office, greeting several people by name. Suddenly, we head a terrible crash Ifel the floor shake, and then there was the sound of glass breaking and metal screaming. People began running outside. Acthenozth end ofthe wharf, ship had crashed into the side of the wharf A tall crane at the edge of the wharf rurned and slowly fell. In a minute two police cars arrived, and the crowd in front of me moved back to let them through. [jumped to one side to avoid an ambulance, and then followed it quickly and ‘came close tothe accident. ‘The crane and a couple of trucks had been waiting on the wharf, and all three were chewed up by the ship which had ‘broken off large pieces of the concrete wharf. The driver of the ‘rane was trapped ina heap of metal, and the police ran to help. ‘An uply sight. I tumed away and found a man looking at me with bright blue eyes. “What happened? I asked. He shook his head. ‘Someone made a mistake, and went full, ahead instead of turning the ship. That ship weighs around ten thousand tonnes, and that’s the result.” ‘tall man witha sun-burned face and white hair pushed past ime. ‘Excuse me. Out of the way, please.” “Who's that? I asked the man with blue eyes. “That's Niels Grafalk. He owns that heap of metal.” 10 On the waterfront Niels Grafalk, the man I wanted tose. didn't think this was the time to ask him about the Bertha Krupnik. “Is this ship the Bertha Kruprik?” ‘No,’ my new friend answered. ‘Are you interested in the Bertha? hesitated. Looking at the excited crowd around me, felt that Phillips was right; if anyone had seen Boom Boom's accident, they would have been talking about ‘Look, it’s time for lunch,’ my friend said. ‘Let me take you te lunch at the private club for owners and officers here.” agreed, and as we walked away from the accident, I saw Phillips moving hesitantly through the crowd towards the damaged wharf. . ‘The waiter brought our drinks. ‘I'm Mike Sheridan, chief engineer on the Lucella Wieser” ‘And I'm V.I. Warshaweki, a private investigator.” “Are you related to Boom Boom Warshawski?” ‘Vm his cousin... The Lucella was across from the Bertha when Boom Boom fell under the ship last week, wasn'e it? Sheridan nodded. ‘Tve been trying to find someone who might have seen my cousin die Sheridan drank from his glass. Boom Boom was coming over total to John Bemis, the Lucella's captain, that afternoon. We were supposed to take on grain from the Eudora wharf, but someone put water in our holds and we bed to dry them out. ‘Your cousin said he knew something about the accident to out ship. He sounded serious, and of course Bemis wanted to talleto him, You don’t know what was on Boom Booms mind?” uwDeadlock Onthewaterfront 1 shook my head. “That's my problem. I hadn't seen Boom Boom for two or thee months before he ded. I was worried ‘that he might have — well, he was terebly depressed about his ankle. I'd like to know if anyone on the Bertha or the Luclla saw him fall” Sheridan shook his head. ‘W's true we were ied up nea, but the Bertha lay between us andthe wharf. I don’ think anyone fon the Lucella could have seen anything “The waiter came back to our table. ‘Mr Grafalk would lke to invite you and the lady to join him and Me Pillips at his table, ‘Sheridan and Ilooked at exch other in surprise. We followed the waiter to a table in a comer of he room. Grafalk stood up and shook hands. He wore an expensive soft jacket and a white shirt and looked like a man born with money, a man used t0 controling things around him. ‘Philips here told me you were asking some questions. Maybe you can tell me why you're interested in Grafak Steamship. told Grafall why I wanted to talk tothe men oa the Bertha, “Acthe moment, the Berthais going around the Great Lakes, Grafalk old me.‘She'l stop at Pittsburgh then Detroit, then on to Thunder Bay. She won't be back in Chicago for rw weeks. | chanked Grafa, ba is eyes had turned away from me, to 2 shore man ina grey business suit who had walked up to the table. “Hello, Martin.” ‘Hello Niels... Hi, Sheridan. Niel trying to get you to help with his damaged ship? “Hi, Martin’ Sheridan said "Thisis V1. Warshaw, Boom 2 Boom’s cousin ~ down here asking us all a few questions about his death.” “Martin Bledsoe was introduced to me as the owner of the Pole Star Line, which included the ship the Lucella Wieser. Bledsoe sat down and joined us for lunch. ‘Sorry about your ship, Niels. What happened?” “She ran into the wharf, We'l be investigating, of course.” asked Grafalle about his company. Itwas the oldest and the Diggest on the Great Lakes, started in 1838. Grafalk became ‘quite enthusiastic, telling me about some of the great ships. “Mr Grafalk’s a fantastic sails,’ Phillips said. He still sails his grandfather’ old yacht.” ‘What about the Pole Star Line? I asked Bledsoe. ‘s that an old family company?” “No. [started ie myself eight years ago,’ Bledsoe said. Before that, [used to work for Niels.” “T fele deserted when you decided to compete with me; GGrafalk said lightly. ‘By the way, Uheard about the trouble on the Lucella.” “The damage was minor, bur we don't know who put the ‘water in the holds,’ Bledsoe said. ‘At least the ship itself wasn't damaged.” “You do have two smaller ships, don't you?" Grafalk smiled ‘at me, ‘We have sixty-three other ships to take the place of my damaged ship. My engineer made a mistake; it was an accident, rot something deliberate.” ‘Idid wonder ifthis was par of your programme to getrid of your smaller ships, Bledsoe said. Grafalk dropped his fork. ‘We're satisfied with the engineer's explanation,’ he said. ‘I do hope you won't have any farther BDeadlock Onthe waterfront accidents, Martin. "Thope 20, t00,’ Bledsoe said politely, picking up his wine glass. Grafalle tured to me again. ‘Martin went toa tough school. ‘That's where he learned to-be so self-controlled. Being from a ‘wealthy family, Chad an easier time.” heard glass shatter. I turned 0 stare at Bledsoe. He hed ‘rushed his wine glass in his hand and blood was pouring on to the tablecloth. As1 jumped to my feet to send fora doctor, Isaw Gafalk watching Bledsoe with a strange expression on his face, and I wondered why the two men disliked each ocher so much.3 ‘Watchman, tell us of the night ‘Martin Bledsoe went to hospital, Niels Grafalk and Clayton Phillips went back to their offices, and Mike Sheridan drove me across the Pore to the Lucella, “Why did Grafalk’s remark about Bledsoe’s school upset him so much?’ I asked bluntly. ‘I think Martin left school when he was sixteen. Maybe he doesn’t like being reminded of that” “That's not really a reason to shatter a wine glass in your hhand. Why do they dislike each other so much?” “Oh, thar’ easy to explain. Grafalk Steamship Line is the only thing Niels cares about. Ifyou work for him, he thinks you should stay forever. [know: I started work at Grafalk, He was furious when left. John Bemis, oo~the captain ofthe Lucella. ‘But Niels found it impossible to accept Martin's departure, maybe because Martinis such clever businessman: he knows how to make a profit” ‘The Lucella was bigger than any of the ships Pd seen that day, Three hundred metres long, her red paint smooth, she was hhuge.I followed Sheridan up a steel ladder attached to her side. ‘We met Captain Bemis on the bridge. Through the glass windows on every side we saw the deck below us, Men in yellow jackets were washing out the holds. Captain Bemis was a short man with serious eyes and a calm manner, “Someone deliberately put water in the holds ofthe Luella” Bemis began. "Young Warshawski wanted to talk o us about it, 16 Watchman, tll us ofthe night told him we thought the criminal was an angry seaman we'd ‘of afew days ago, but Boom Boom said there was more I waited on the bridge until fve on Tuesday, hoping to tall to him, Then we got news chat he'd died” “Did anyone here see him fall? T asked. (Captain Bemis shook his head. ‘Tm sorry, but we didn’t even realize there had been an accident; none of our men wason deck when the ambulance came." | ele disappointed. It seemed so ~s0 unfair that Boom Boom had slid out of life without one person to see him doit. I tried to concentrate on Captain Bemis and the accident to his ship, but it didn’t seem important to me. [felt stupid, rushing around the ‘wharf, playing detedive, just to avoid admitting that my cousin was dead. asked Mike Sheridan to drive me back to the Eudora Grain Company. I picked up the Lynx and drove home. The next ‘morning I drove to Boom Boom’s apartment. I stood again at the huge window and looked atthe lake. The water was green, and in the distance a ship moved towards the other side ofthe lake. I stared for a long time before going to the study. ‘A horrific sight met me. The papers I had left in eight neat piles were thrown around the room, Drawers were opened. Pictures pulled from the walls. Worst of all, a body lay ‘crumpled on the other side of the desk. The man was dead. I {guessed his neck had been broken ~I couldn’t see any wounds. lifted the head gently: ie was the watchman Thed spoken tothe night before, when I was leaving the building, Iran to Boom Boom’s bathroom. | drank a glass of water from the tap and my stomach felt calmer. Tused the phone in the bedroom tocall the police. In the v7Deadlock bedroom, too, drawers stood open, with clothes thrown on the floor. Someone had been looking for something. But what? ‘The police said that ie was an ordinary burglary. I angued that nothing valuable had been taken, bu they insisted that was because the watchman’s death had frightened the burglar. I felt Thad sent the old man to his death, by asking him not to let anyone into Boom Boom’s apartment. It was true that I didn’t Abomrificsight met me. 8 Watchman, tellus ofthe night “expect anyone to break into the apartment, br ithad happened and felt responsible. ‘Atlas the police finished with me and took the body away. 1 took a last look round. What had my cousin hidden in his apartment? My mind jumped to Paige Carrington. Love letters? How well had she known Boor Boom, really? I needed to talk to her again, I drove to the Windy City Ballet, stopping on the way for = sandwich and a Coke, The Ballet was an old building, bu inside i had been modernized. Some dancers were practising on the stage, but Paige wasn't there. I went backstage, and no one stopped me. I waited, and a few minutes later, Paige came down the hall from the shower, a white towel wrapped round her head. . ‘Vie! What are you doing here? “Hi, Paige, I came to talk to you, When you're dressed I'l take you out fora coffe.” Her gold-coloured eyes widened. ‘Pm not sure Ihave time.” “Then I'll talk to you here. She shrugged. ‘'l only be a few minutes.” "The few minutes stretched into forty. Atlas she appeared in gol silk shizeand a white skirt. She worea gold and diamond necklace and her make-up was perfect. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” she said. ‘We went out into the cold spring air and ordered coffee ata litle coffee shop around the comer. “What were you looking for in my cousin's apartment?” “My letters, Vie. I told you that.” “How did you meet Boom Boom? “Ata Christmas party. Someone interested in buying shares FeDeadlock in the Black Hawks invited some ofthe players." Her voice was cold. ‘What are you thinking? I don’t lke these questions.” “The watchman at Boom Boom’s building was killed lest night when someone broke into Boom Booms apartment.” “The night watchman? Henry? Ob, P'm so sorry. Was anything stolen?” “Nothing was taken, but they tore the place apart. I can't ‘imagine what they were looking for." She shook her head, her eyes troubled. ‘I can’t, either.” She put her hand on my arm. ‘I know it sounds crazy about the letters, but it's true.” ‘We left after that, and I rook myself home. I needed some ppeace and quiet after all chat had happened that day, Over sinner T thought about things I needed to do next. Find out about Paige Carrington's background. Talk to Boom Boom’s best friend, a star player with the Black Hawks called Pierce Bouchard. And get back to the Port of Chicago. 4 ‘Learning the business ‘The next day, after my early morning run, I got dressed in dark blue trousers, a white shit, and a dark blue jacket. Tough, but attractive. Then I drove down to the Port. ‘At Eudora Grain, I talked to the men as they came off the wharf for their mid-morning break. None of them had seen my cousin's death. They told me that Phillips and Boom Boom had had a terrible argument that morning about some papers, ‘though no one had acrually heard what they said. T thanked them for their time, and went back to the office manager. I told her that I wanted to go through the personal papers in my cousin's office. “Me Phillips is out ofthe office, bur Janet, Mr Warshawski’s secretary, will help you.” ‘Janet was a quiet woman aged about ity, wearing a simple dress and no make-up. She took me to Boom Boom’s office, a small, tidy room with maps of che Lakes covering the walls. “Can you tell me about Boom Boom’s work I asked. “Me Phillips was training him,’ Janet said, ‘The idea was that hhe would be able to take over one of the regional offices in nother year or so ~ probably Buffalo.” “Did Me Phillips like that idea?” “Tes hard to tell how Me Phillips feels about anything, I think he was glad your cousin would be leaving soon. Your cousin was an impatient person and he wanted to do everything faster than Mr Phillips.” She hesitated. ‘Mr Phillips seemed worried 2Deadlock Leaning the business that if Mr Warshawski got too involved with the shipping contracts, then he might take some ofthe customers with him, when he moved to Buffalo.” “So did they argue about che contracts? Or the customers?” ‘Well, I'l tell you something. You see, Mr Phillips doesn’t like anyone touching the contract files.” She looked over her shoulder, in case Phillips was standing there listening. “t's ily, because we all have to use those ies all day long. But he inssus that if we take them out of his secretary's office, we have to write a note. Mr Warshawski refused to do that because he thought it was stupid.’ She smiled, an amused smile. “The week before he died, he took several months of contracts home with him? “Whar did he do with them?” She shrugged. ‘I don’t know. But he did go and see Mr Phillips with one of two files "Could I look at the files my cousin took home with him? She hesitated. ‘Why? looked at her kind face. She had been fond of Boom Boom. ‘I'm not satisfied with the story of my cousin's death. He was 2 hhockey player in spite of his bad ankle. It would take more than a slippery wharf to get him into the lake. I'm wondering if someone pushed him in." Shelooked shocked. ‘Why would someone push anice young man like Mr Warshawski to his death? didn’t now, I told her, butt was possible those les might give me a clue. I explained to her that I was a private investigator, and she promised to get me the files while Mr Phillips's secretary was a lunch, 1 sat at Boom Boom’s desk and looked at his desk diary. His 2 appointments were uninteresting, but he had drawn a circle round some of the dates, At the front of the diary there was a calendar of 1981 and 1982. Boom Boom had drawn circles round twenty-three days in 1981, and three in 1982. I put the diacy in my bag and looked through the rest ofthe office. But I found nothing personal Janet appeated with the files, packed in a large envelope. ‘Please return them as soon as you can,’ she said anxiously. Interstate 94 back to the city was clear at that time of day, and I got back to my offce around one-thirty. I phoned Murray Ryerson, erime reporter for the Herald-Star, and an old friend of mine. “What do you want, Vic? Gor anything for meon the murder at your cousin’s apartment?” ‘Nothing on that yet. But I want some background on Paige Carrington, « dancer with the Windy City Ballet. She was friendly with Boom Boom before he died. She was looking for some love leters at his apartment the other day, and then the ‘watchman was killed while someone was searching the place.” “Vie, whenever you want information like this, it’s the beginning of some big story. Is this murder connected with ‘Boom Boom's death?” “Idon’t think so, But someone searched his apartment, and I'd like to know more about Paige.” “OK, Vic. I'l cal you in ewo or chree days.” opened Janet's envelopeand pulled out the files. There were theee; June, July and August, showing Eudora Grain’s shipments of grain during those months. Each computer report gave details of date and place of departure, names of carriers, weight ‘of grain, cost, and date and place of arival. Some showed more 2than one cartier. For example, I found Thunder Bay to St Catharines on 15 June via Grafalk Steamship Line, cancelled, via Pole Star Line, cancelled, and finally via a third cartier at a different price. looked at Boom Boom’s diary, and pulled out the contracts that matched the dates in June, July and August which had circles drawn around them. Thirteen shipments on those dates hhad gone to Grafalk. Pole Star had lost seven shipments to Grafalk, but had got two shipments in August, I tried phoning Pole Star Line, but no one answered. It was too late to do anything else tonight, so I called a friend, and we ‘went out to dinner and then to watch a film, 5 Grounded “The next day I called Bobby Mallory and asked him about the murder at Boom Booms apartment. ‘We dd find a footprint on the papers. A size twelve Arroyo boot.’ Bobby paused. “You're not getting involved in this, are you?” “Lam involved: it happened in my cousin's apartment.” “Don’t fool around with me, Vic, Bobby said. He didn’t like re to get involved in police work, especially murder cases. ‘Trouble just follows me, Bobby.” 1 photocopied the Eudora Grain shipping contracts, and packed the les back in the envelope. I drove to the Port and dropped the parcel with Janet. As left the office, [met Philips. “What are you doing here?” he demanded. “Signing up for a water ballet class. How about you?” His face reddened. ‘Sill asking questions about your cousin? ‘You're wasting your time. Thope you find that out soon.’ “Tm moving as fast as I can. Water bales can only help.” He stated at me angrily and walked over to his green Alfa. I rove along the Calumet River to the Lucella and asked for the captain, John Bemis. The ship was enormous, held down by steel cables eight centimetres thick. I looked down at the still ‘water. No one was on the wharf, no one knew I was here. I began to see how Boom Boom could have fallen in unnoticed. I climbed the steel ladder to the deck, where twenty people ‘moved busily around, guiding the grain into the huge holds. 2sDeadlock Clouds of grain dust rose above the deck, ‘No onenoticed meat first, butt last someone took metothe bridge. Martin Bledsoe was standing with Captain Bemis, Jooking down towards the deck, “Hello, Miss Warshawski’ They turned towards me, Bledsoe’s hand was wrapped in bandages, and asked how it was. He told me that it was beginning to feel better. “Thave a couple of questions for you, Mr Bledsoe, if you have the time.” I pulled the photocopies ofthe shipping contracts from my bag and put them on a table. “These are Eudora Grain’s shipping contracts,’ I began. ‘Iwas hoping you'd explain them tome? “Well, there's no great secret to them. Look at this one. Three million bushels of grain in Peoria, to be moved to Buffalo, First of all, we offered to carry the grain for four dollars twenty-nine cents a tonne. That was before we had the Luella —we can g0 well under our old prices now because these big ships are so such cheaper to run. Now, in our business, contracts are made and cancelled routinely. Look at this. Grafalk came in to offer four dollars thirty cents a tonne, but with a promise to get the grain to Buffalo a day earlier” "So these records are quite ordinary?” Bledsoe’s grey eyes were intelligent. ‘What made you think something might be wrong with them? ‘Boom Boom was particularly interested in these Sls just before he died. I wondered if the fact that these Pole Star contracts ended up with Grafalk was important.” Bledsoe looked at the contracts again. ‘No. Either they ‘promised earlier delivery, or chey offered lower prices.” 26 Grounded “My other question is about some dates this spring. The twenty-tied of April is one.” Bledsoe and Bemis looked at each other. ‘Thats the date we found water in the Lucella’s holds.” “No further accidents are going to happen on this ship,’ (Captain Bemis sai. Bledsoe nodded. ‘think I'll ome with you this time, John. want to see the Lucella unloaded at St Catharines.” I picked up my papers. I was getting tired ofall che work which didn’t lead anywhere. Bledsoe walked down to the deck with me. : “We've finished loading for the day. I feel I owe you an apology, foreutting my hand atlunch yesterday. Can Ipersuade you to cat dinner with me? ‘There's a good French restaurant about twenty minutes from here.” agreed, and we had an enjoyable meal together. Bledsoe told me amusing shipping stories, and I told him about my childhood on Chicago's South Side. Itwasten-thirty when Bledsoe took meback to the Lucella to pick up my car, “Thanks for introducing me to a great new restaurant, Martin, Next time/'l take you to anltalien place on the West Side.” “Thanks, Vie. Pd lke ro do tha. 'leall you when I get back from Se Catharines.” 1 drove the Lynx on to 130th Street. The night was clear but the air was cold and I kept the car windows up. I drove along Interstate 94 and back on to the Dan Ryan. I was near the University of Chicago exit when [heard a tearing in the engine. [slammed on the brakes. The car didn’t slow. I pushed again. Sill nothing. The brakes had failed. Iturned the steering wheel ato move towards the exi steering. No brakes. In the mirror I saw the lights of a truck close behind me, ‘Another truck drove beside me on the right. My car was moving tothe right, and [coulda’tstop it, My hands trembled and Ifelt sick. I put my hand on the horn and kept ic there. The truck to ry right pulled out of my way. ‘The Lynx was going thiry, slowing down, and the truck behind me was going a least seventy. Icoulda’t stop. couldn't do anything, ‘At the last second, the truck behind me moved to the left. heard a horrible shattering of glass and metal on metal, A car shot into the lane in front of me and turned over. Metal on ‘metal. Glass shattering on the street. A violent crash. A pool of ‘warm wetness on my arm. Light and noise shattered inside my hnead. And then quies. ‘My head ached. I forced my eyes open, but the light stabbed them. I shut them again, “You're allright now,’ a woman’s voice said, “What happened?" My voice was thin and tired. “You're in Billings Hospital. I want you to slecp now.” ‘When woke up again, I was alone. The pain in my head was sill there. My left arm was attached tothe ceiling by a pulley. I stared at it dreamily. What had I done to my atm? T remembered. My car. The brakes failing, ‘A nurse came into the room. “Oh, you're awake now. That's ‘good. We'll take your temperature.” ‘don't want my temperature taken. want tosee the police.” ‘She smiled brightly. ‘Just put this under your tongue.” B Grounded {pt my bandon the horn and hepe there »Deadlock Thegan to fel angry. Will you kindly get someone tocallthe «police for me?” ‘Now calm down. The doctor will be here soon, and she'll tell us ifyou can start talking to people.” I shut my eyes. My body was still weak. I went back to sleep. ‘When I woke for the third time, my mind was leat. Isat up in bed, slowly and painfully. I wanted to go home, and use the phone. Carefully, I took my arm out of te pulley. My shoulder ‘moved, and the pain was so strong that tears ran down my cheeks. Ishut my eyes and rested for ten minutes. Then [got out ‘of bed, trying not to move my shoulder. At that moment, the doctor came in, “Glad to see you're feeling better, Miss Warshawski, she said deyly. “T thought 'd go home now, since the nurse won't call the police “You must stay here another day or wo. You must keep your shoulder still, so that the tear on the muscles is rested,” the doctor said firmly. “You hit your head against the door as your car turned over. I's badly cut, and you were unconscious for six hous. You must’t take cisks with your health.” I sat on the bed. ‘But ve got so many people to talk to." ‘ll bring a phone in and you ean make your cals." ‘Tears filed my eyes. My head was aching. I lay back on the bed and le the doctor reattach my arm to the pulley. hated to obey the doctor, but I was glad to be lying down. ‘The doctor brought a phone to me, and I phoned the Port. But the Lucella had aleeady sailed. 6 Drinks with Grafalk: ‘The next day I had a stream of visitors. Lieutenant Bobby Mallory, my old friend from the Chicago police, came — carrying plant from his wife—totalk to me about the accident. He told me thatthe truck that came up behind me had hit a caz ‘when it moved left to avoid me. The driver of the car was killed and his two passengers were seriously injured. “They weren't wearing seat belts,” Bobby told me. ‘It might have helped. Yours certainly saved yout life. We've arrested the truck driver —not a sratch on him, of course.” ‘Did you inspect my car? He looked at me curiously. ‘Someone had emptied all the brake Suid. And cut through the steering cable... Now ‘who would do a thing like that? Where had you parked your car?” I told him. He shook his head. ‘A lot of vandals down in the Port. You're lucky you got out ofthis alive. Why can’t you stay hhome and get a husband and some kids?” Someone brought in an enormous armful of spring lowers. ‘They were from Paige Carrington. Murray Ryerson, crime reporter, came himself. Murray isa big guy with thick reddish Inairand a loud voice. “Vict Tell me about your accident.” “Is thisa visit or an interview? I asked crossly. Murray and I have been friends for several years, but our relationship never develops because we are always competing in our work. 3Deadlock Drinks with Grafalk “How about an interview as payment for the story on Paige .Carrington?™ brightened up considerably. “What did you find out?™ "Ms Carrington has one oldee sister. Mother lives in Park Forest South. Her family doesn't have a lot of money, but she lives in an apartment on Astor Place. She may haves rich frend helping her out. There was some talk about her and Boom ‘Boom the month before he died. But the other hockey players thought she was running after him —he wasn’t so interested.” Lfelea stab of pleasure a tha, Pechape I was jealous of Boom Boom’s love for the perfect Paige. *You talk now.’ Murray's eyes were bright with interest. I told him everything I knew about the accident. “Vandals? I don't believe it. You got someone mad and they ‘cut your steering cable. Someone at the Port. Someone ‘connected with Boom Boom, I'm going to follow you around, Vie. I want to see this happening before ie happens.” “Murray, you get out of here before I ask the nurse to throw you out.” He laughed. ‘Get well soon, Vic. I'd miss you if you didn't 1 drank some water and slept fora while. When I woke up, a ‘young man was sitting in the visitor's chair watching me with ‘an expression of coneem on his smooth, round face. It was Boom Boom's friend, Pierre Bouchard. ‘Dierre! How nice to sce you.” He smiled. ‘ve just seen the story of your accident in the paper. P'm so sorry, Vie. First Boom Boom, and now this.” smiled. ‘My shoulder will get better” ‘Tve come with a message from Boom Boom.’ Pierre paused. 2 “T've been playing hockey in Quebec for two weeks, and when I got back lastnight there was. letter from him! He mailed it the day before he died.” He pulled a letter from the pocket of his jacket and passed it ro me. Pierre, I thought I saw Howard the other day in a very odd place. I ‘ied calling him, but his wife said he was in Quebec with you. Give me a ring when you get back and let me know. Boom Boom “Who's Howard? Howard Mattingly?” Pierre nodded, Mattingly was anochericehockey payee with ‘the Black Hawks, though not on the first team. Boom Boom never iced him ~ he conlda't even play hockey. ‘The leer semed unconnected with the problems I was aying co solve. Bu it had beea important to Boom Boom. He had weiter the letter on the rweny-sich, When had he sen Mattingly? The Lucell's holds had been filled with water on ‘the twenty-third. Could Mattingly have been involved in that? ‘On Monday, the doctor allowed me to leave the hospital and I ‘went back to my apartment. I got out a bottle of Black Label whisky and sat down in the living room withthe telephone. I ‘was going to talk to everyone who might have damaged my car and tried to kill me. My anger had disappeared as my shoulder hhad got better, but Iwas determined to discover the truth about my accident. Pole Star Line told me the Lucella had delivered her grain in ‘Buffalo and was on the way to Eric. The ship woulda’t be back 3Deadlock Drinks with Grafalle in Chicago until June. phoned Eudora Grain and got Philip's address from Janet. My insurance company had provided me with another ear, Chevette, and I drove up to Lake Bluff. The town is a tiny pocker of wealth, and the houses were huge, with beautiful gardens. The weak spring sun shone on trees which were just showing thei frst pale green leaves. ‘The Phillipses lived in a house on the shore of Lake “Michigan, with a three-car garage. A woman in her early forties answered the door. She was wearing a simple dress which probably cost 250 dollars. Her make-up was perfect, and diamonds hung from her ears. “Good afternoon, Mes Phillips. 'm Ellen Edwards with Tri- State Research, We're interviewing wives of important businessmen and I wanted to talk to you. Do you have a few minutes?" “Is this going to appear ina newspaper?” “Oh no. We're talking to five hundred women, and no names will be used.” She agreed, and I asked her afew questions. They had lived in Lake Buff for five years. Before that they lived in Park Forest South which was much closer to the Port. Lake Bluff was a wonderful place to live. They could sal on the lake and play tennis atthe Maritime Club, “Ler’s take a normal day and go through it ~ say last “Thursday. What time did you get up?” heard all the derail of her life. The hours atthe tennis chub, the shops. At last she gave me the information I'd come for: Clayton hadn't got home that night until after nine o'lock, “Well thank you for your rime, Mrs Phillis. We'll m: 34 8 copy ofthe report when we complete ‘As said goodbye, [asked who owned the enormous house dowa the road. “That's the Grafs. They'se tercbly wealthy. ‘Do you spend much ime with them?" “Ok well, Clayton sils with Niels sometimes. And they recommended our namesto the Maritime Club. But hie's not very friendly. ‘We said goodbye and I drove down the road stopped the car outside the Grafaks’ house. It was an enormous, red brick house, with a huge garden, Suddenly, dark blue Ferear came round the bend, turned in at the gates, and stopped. Niels Grafalk came up to my car before T had time t0 disappear. “What are you doing in font of my house, lady detective?” “Looking a the view. I stated the car, but he put his hand ‘rough che window and grabbed my arm. A sab of pain went through my shoulder. “Lwant to know why you were spying on my house. “L wasn’t spying, Mr Graflk. IF were, I woulda’ stop cousside your front door like this. Td hide myself and you'd never know Iwas her.” ‘The abger in his eyes died down and he laughed. “What are you doing here, then? ‘Passing through. Someone rold me you lived here and 1 wanted to have look. I's quite place. He looked amused. ‘How about a drink? ‘We went up ro the house. The garden was green with spring and spring lowers provided bursts of colour atthe comers of the house 3sDeadlock rinks with Grofalk = “My father bul the place back nthe nineteen twenties, My wife likes it, 0 I've never changed it ‘We went in through aside door and then tothe back ofthe house, overlooking the lake, The garden went down toa sandy beach. ‘Don’t you keep your boat here? Graalk laughed. “The water is too shallow here. keep my yache at che harbour in Lake Blut? {sat down and Grafalk brought mea glass of sherry. I tasted it. le was as smooth as liquid gold. “Ifyou weren't spying on me, you must have been spying on Clayton, What did you find out? We catry a lot of grain for Eudora. I'd like to know if something is wrong with the ‘company. 1 drank some more sherry. Tdon't know about any problems at Eudora Grain. My main concern is that someone tried to kill sme last Thursday night.” “Kill you? Grafall’s blue eyes widened. ‘Someone cut my steering cable when I was parked atthe Por, and I was ina serious accident onthe Dan Ryan.” “And you think Clayton might have done it?” “Well i's just posible. But why should he? Any more than you, of Martin Bledsoe or Mark Sheridan?” *You"te sue the damage was done at the Port? Could it have been vandals? Graal got up for more drinks. “I don’t think so. Vandals would damage the tyres or break the windows, not eut the steering cable” Grafalk poured me some more sherry. How much do you know about Martin Bledsoe? 1 seiffened. ‘ve met him afew times. Why?” 36 “He didn’t cell you anything about his background at dinner ‘on Thursday?” 1 put the expensive glass down. ‘Now who's doing the spying, Me Grafalk?” He laughed. “The Por is a small place and news about ship ‘owners travels fast. I knew about your accident, 100, but I didn't know someone had deliberately damaged your cat.” "Now who's doing the spying, Mr Graf” 7someone tried to kill you, then you should know.” 1 didn't say anything. Outside, the house threw a long. shadow on the beach. “Martin grew up in Cleveland, He never knew his father and when he was fifteen he ran away and started sailing the Great Lakes. When he was eighteen he began working in our Buffalo office. He was involved with money, and he stole some of it. I wanted to give him another chance, but my father refused, end Martin spent two years in Cantonville prison. My father died before he came out, and Martin came back to work for me.” *You must think something i seriously wrong to tell me this.” Grafalk shook his head. ‘If there is something wrong at* Endora Grain, it must involve money. Ido sometimes wonder ‘where Clayton Phillips gets his money. But 'm afraid T must ask ‘you to leave now, Miss Warshawski. We're expecting visitors and I have things to do before they arrive.” He showed me to the front door and watched until I went through the gates and drove off. As I left the wealth of Lake Bluff, I felt confused. Grafall’s sherry and Grafalk’s story had clearly been provided for a reason. But what? 7 Stowaway ‘The next morning I phoned Janet at Eudora Grain and asked her to find out how much Phillips earned. Then I phoned Pole Star Line and found out chat the Lucella would be in Thunder Bay ~ Canada’s westemmost port on Lake Superior ~ on ‘Thursday and Friday. I wanted to find out if Grafalk’s story about Bledsoe was true, and whether the captain or the chief ‘engineer had damaged my car, I wanted to talk to those guys now. So booked a fight from Chicago to Toronto and then on +0 Thunder Bay that afternoon. I packed jeans and a shirt and ‘my Smith and Wesson gun, n a small bag and put my walle in my jeans pocket. ‘After an hour in Toronto's bright modern airport, I boarded ‘the small plane to Thunder Bay. We arrived atten p.m. We were a chousand kilometres north of Chicago and it was stil winter. 1 took a cab to the Holiday Inn and slept late after the long flight. My shoulder fele much better in the morning and I ate a ‘good breakfast. I bought a local newspaper which listed the shipsin port. The Lucella was at What? 67, the Manitoba Grain Company. took a cab to Wharf 67. The Lucella’s red paint shone in the late morning sun. Above her floated a cloud of white smoke. Grain dust. The Lucella was loading. I climbed the stel ladder to the main deck. I stopped to look at the men working on the deck and then I climbed up to the bridge. Only Mike Sheridan, the chief engineer, was there. He looked up in surprise when I 33Deadlock Stowaway came in, recognizing me at once “Miss Warshawski Is Captain Bemis expecting you?” ‘T don’ thik so. Is he around? And what about Marin Bledsoe? “They're in Thunder Bay this morning. They won’ be back unl at afternoon. Not uni just before we sal, 'm afraid.” “You're sailing today? Your office ssid you'd be here “No. We gothere a day early, and well nish loading around four and sal at fv, to St Catharines, atthe other side of the lakes?” T rubbed my forehead. ‘Do you stop anywhere on the way ‘where I could ect off” “We stop at the locks at Saule Ste Mavi. Sheridan was seting annoyed. If you're chinking of sailing with us, you'll hhaveto ask the captain. He rerurned to his papers and eft the bridge. 1 went back tthe Holiday Inn, repacked my litle bag, and had some lunch. I Toaded my gun and pushed i in my belt. At three thirty I went back to Whar 67 and once more climbed the ladder to the Lucell’s main dec ‘The grain was loaded and the men were covering the holes in the deck with steel lds. As I watched, I fel the ship begin to shake. The engines had been turned on. I tured to look atthe ‘wharf and I thought I saw someone swimming away from the side ofthe ship. I stared at che water, and foaly I saw a gure rise fom the water twenty metres away, close tothe shore. ‘When turned back, Bledsoe was just coming on board. He ‘went towards the bridge without seeing me. was just going to follow, when [thought would hide until heship lf the shore. “0 moved behind a pile of huge oil drums and set down on a metal box. After about forty-five minutes, the Lucella slowly pulled away from the wharf. I waited until we were a good kilometre ‘or two from land, and then I made my way to the bridge. I cchecked my gun, my heart beating fast Captain Bemis was at the wheel, but he turned when I came in. ‘Ah, Miss Warshawski. The chief engineer said you'd appear.’ He was serious, but not angry. “You're a stowaway, Vic.’ Bledsoe gave the shadow of 2 smile, We could lock you in the holds until we get to Sault Ste Marie.” . I sat down at the round table. Perhaps these wo men were Kaillers, but now that I was here my anxiety disappeared; I felt calm. ‘The captain gave the wheel to another officer and he and Bledsoe joined me atthe cable. ‘Tm rying to find out if someone on this ship tried to kill me,” I sid, For ten seconds there was no sound in the small room but the distant noise ofthe engines. “Explain that, Miss Warshawski.” “Gladly. Lase Thursday night Martin ook me out for dinner, [let my cat atthe Port. While we were gone someone cut the steering cables and emptied the brake fluid. When my car crashed on the Dan Ryan I escaped with minor injuries. An innocent driver was killed though.” “My God!” Bledsoe exclaimed. I watched him carefully. He tried to say something else, but no words came out. His surprise looked real, but. - ‘The captain looked at me through narrowed eyes. ‘Could I aDeadlock talk to the Chicago police about his?” “OF course.” Ac ast, Bledsoe found his voice. “Why do you think someone ‘on the Lucella might be involved?” “Only afew people knew Iwas at the Port. Only a few knew my car" “There ace a lot of vandals down at the Port,’ the captain said, “Iseea lot of vandals in my work, and vandals don't have the tools to do that kind of damage... Captain, 'm sure that Boom Boom was killed. And a watchman was killed in his apartment. ‘The killer is connected with this ship or with Eudora Grain. ‘You've got a big machine shop here. I'm sure you've got cutting torches— “Not” Bemis exploded. ‘Mike Sheridan isnt involved in this. ‘We've been sailing together for twenty years.” “Anyway, Bledsoe sad, ‘there's no reason for Mike ~ or for any of us ~ to want to kill you.” | rubbed my forehead tiredly. IFT knew what my cousin had found out, then T'd know who the killer was. I thought it was connected with those contracts, Martin, but you told me they were petiectly normal. Pechaps itlhad something to do with the water in your holds?” “Bue we all need this ship. Why would we damage it?” I looked at Bledsoe. ‘Someone might be threatening to tell your secret, Martin.” Bledsoe’s face turned white. ‘How dare you!” ‘Do you have secrets in your past?” Bledsoe banged the table, ‘If 1 had a secret, who told it to you?" 2 Stowaway Grafalk had told me the truth, Bledsoe’s anger told me that. ‘t'm only guessing, Isai. I just wondered why you smashed a wine glass because Grafalk talked about where you went to school.” ‘I see. Bledsoe gave a short laugh. “Did you tell Sheridan to damage my car while we were at dinner?” Bledsoe pushed back his char. ‘Ask him yourself" He eft the bridge, banging the door behind him. Bemis looked at me coldly I won't allow you to disturb my ship." ‘My head ached. ‘Very well I said tightly. ‘I won'r disturb your ship. I would like to talk to the chief engineer, however.” [Bemis nodded, "You may question the chief at dinner.” | went down to the main deck and breathed the afternoon air thankfully. We were well away from the shore and it was quite cold. I collected my bag from behind the ol drums, and pulled ‘out my coat. I walked down the deck and found a litle bench. 1 sat down and looked at the sun shining on the green-black I reached inside my bag for the Smith and Wesson as Bledsoe came up beside me. He looked surprised when he saw the gun. “Put that away. [came out here to talk to you.” He sat down beside me. ‘Did Grafalk tell you about my crime?” "Yes! He nodded to himself. ‘I thought so. No one else knows about it, or cares. I was eighteen years old when I stole that ‘money. And for ewenty years Grafalk never talked about it. But ‘when [left to start my own company, Niels started telling me T ‘as still a eziminal, But he never told anyone else about it. So “8Deadlock why did he tell you now?" It was a good question. ‘I was talking to Grafalk about ‘Clayton Phillips. What do you know about Phillips?” “Not much. His main job isto acts the controller. Heshould leave the sales to his salesmen but he wants tobe involved in all the shipping contracts, and sincehe doesn't now all che details, hae gets left with expensive contracts occasionally. I noticed that when I was with Niels, and Ise it now with my own business.” Ie didn't sound criminal, just stupid. ‘Can Philips be cheating Eudora? You told me those shipping contracts were perfectly normal.” Bledsoe looked at me seriously. ‘Ifyou want tobe sure, you'll have to look at the invoices. The contracts themselves appear fine, but you want to see what Phillips actually paid." Trubbed my shoulder which was beginning to hurs. “Are you getting off in Sault Ste Marie? Bledsoe asked. ‘I'l {Ay you down to Chicago~my plane s there and I'm planning to set back tothe office this week.” We got up and went down the long deck. The sun had gone ‘and the sky was turing dark. The fist stars were coming out. In the city one doesn't see too many stars. 8 Deadlock [At dinner I talked to Sheridan about my accident. The chief engineer agreed that he had cutting torches in the engine room. “But we don’t keep tools under lock and key.” “Were you in the engine room that night? I asked. He looked me straight in the eye. "Yes, Iwas. And my fist engineer was with me." “Nor out of each others sight all evening?" Fong enough to damage & car” Around ten-thiry, they brought a narrow bed and some blankets into the dining room for me. I climbed under the blankets in my jeans and shit, pu the Smith and Wesson beside ‘me, and went to sleep almost immediately. The cooks woke me before six as they started preparing breakfast. Alter breakfast I packed my litle bag for a quick departure: Bledsoe told me we'd have about two minutes to climb over the side of the Lucella on to the shore before they opened the lock res and she went on to Lake Huron. I put my walle into my jeans pocket and put the Smith and Wesson into the bag, Then I put the bag on the deck and went up tothe bridge to watch the Lucella slide into the lock. “There were four locks closing the seven-metre drop between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Only one lock, the Poe Lock, ‘was big enough forthe three-hundeed-metre ships. We were the second ship into the Poe. (Canada’s Sault Ste Marie lay on out left, the huge Algoma 4ssteel factory on the shore, After forty minutes, Capeain Bemis «was told by radio to move imo the lock. Slowly we moved forward and the enormous wood and steel gates shut behind us. went with Bledsoe down to the dec. I takes about fifteen minutes forthe lock to empty its seven rillion plus litres of water into Lake Huron. A few tourists ‘were watching the ships in the locks from the American side. I watched a man with bright red haie pick up a pair ofbinoculars and look at our ship through them. I walked across the deck to pick up my bag. I was almost there when I was thrown to the ground, the air knocked out of me. I thought at first that someone had hit me. But when I tried to stand up, I realized the deck was shaking underneath me. ‘The head cook was standing a the edge ofthe ship, trying to hhold on to the steel cables. I watched in horror a8 she was thrown backwards and fell over the side ofthe ship. I didn’t understand why we were rising again when there was no water topush us up Ifelthorribly sick, Bledsoe was standing near me, his face grey. Sheets of water rushed up between the sides of the ship and the lock. Thirty metres above us the water rushed, before falling 0 to the deck, knocking me over again. I wanted to shut my «eyes, to shut out the disaster, but coulda’t stop staring. A great cry sounded above the noise of the water. The wood tore and the ship broke in two. We fell again into the lock, falling down into the forward gates. Wet grain poured out of the holds, covering everyone with gold mud. The deck moved sharply