Detective Story Page #6

You robbed that Zaza dame's flat, too,

didn't you, Charley?

- I don't know nothing.

- He don't know nothing.

- Here comes your boyfriend, Charley.

- How did you make out?

We got the addresses

and most of the names.

Good. Red, here's yours.

Lewis, you've been very cooperative.

- Print him.

- Come on.

Hello, Mrs. Lundstrom?

Detective Brody, 21st Squad.

We got that property

was burglarized from your apartment.

- Mrs. Donatello, please.

- Will you come down and identify it?

21st Squad Detectives,

Gallagher speaking.

Yes. We got them. Right.

We got that stuff here

that was taken from your apartment.

I'm still roaring. How are you, toots?

Well, when can you come down,

to identify it?

- What's your husband doing tonight?

- Any time that's convenient for you.

- Well, I'm off duty at midnight.

- That'll be fine.

Okay, doll.

Just a minute, you know that stuff

was burglarized out of your apartment?

We got it down here.

You want to come down and identify it?

Okay, you barracuda.

A man-eater.

Boy, the things I do

for the good of the service.

I should be getting first-grade money.

You got one those two-way radio

wristwatches like Dick Tracy?

- See, there?

- No.

- You're behind the times, aren't you?

- Yeah.

I'm getting a reaction.

Yeah. See, I got diabetes.

I'm not supposed to get emotions.

See, feel.

Look, I got ulcers.

I'm not supposed to eat sandwiches.

Do me a favor? Next time,

get yourself arrested before 4:00.

Let a guy eat a home-cooked meal.

- I'm sorry...

- You realize this is all on my own time?

Look at all these forms I had to type up.

And when I get to court,

the judge will probably let you off.

I won't even get a conviction.

Yeah, you caused me all this work

for nothing.

I'm sorry.

- All right, go wash your hands.

- That's a big help.

In there.

Yes. She doesn't answer? You sure?

No, I'll call back later.

Yes, sir?

My name is Pritchett. Albert R. Pritchett.

Come in, Mr. Pritchett.

We've been expecting you.

- Did you get my money back?

- I'm afraid not.

- What did he do with it?

- Women, plush saloons...

Cabarets? I wouldn't have thought it.

He seemed such an honest boy.

- You'll prefer charges?

- Oh, yes.

- We can count on you?

- When I make my mind up, I'm like iron.

- Fine. Thank you, Mr. Pritchett.

- Like iron.

- Arthur. On your feet. Is this the boy?

- Yes, I'm afraid it is.

Excuse me.

Arthur, why did you steal from me?

- Did I treat you badly?

- No, Mr. Pritchett.

- Did I pay you a decent salary?

- Yes.

Then why did you do this to me?

I built up my business

from a hole in the wall.

I worked darn hard for it,

and I want my money back.

- And you'll get it. I promise you.

- Susan.

The bank was closed. All I could scrape

together tonight was $120.

- I'll have the rest tomorrow.

- Take that back.

- Let me alone. Don't interfere...

- Who are you, miss?

I'm Susan Carmichael.

I'm an old friend of Arthur's family.

I'd like to straighten this out

with you, Mister...

- Pritchett. Albert R. Pritchett.

- How do you do, Mr. Pritchett?

How do you do?

You say you're prepared to return

the rest of my money?

Yes, I'll sign a promissory note,

or whatever you say.

Say, where'd you get that cash,

Miss Carmichael?

I had some, and I pawned

some jewelry. Here are the tickets.

- Do you want to see them?

- lf you don't mind.

- Anything of your sister's here?

- No.

- Is this the young lady...

- No. She doesn't know anything about it.

I know all there is to know.

Shall I make out a note for the rest?

Wait a minute.

We don't run a collection agency here.

This man's a thief. We're here to

prosecute criminals, not collect money.

He's not a criminal.

Miss Carmichael, you seem like

a very nice young lady...

I'm going to give you some advice.

I've seen a thousand like him.

You take your money and run.

- McLeod.

- Yes, sir.

Get me the files

on the Cottsworth squeal.

- Cottsworth? 1941?

- Yeah.

That'll be buried under a pile upstairs.

I'll have to dig them up.

Dig them up. Do it now.

Yes, sir.

He spells one thing for you:

Misery the rest of your life.

- He's no good. Believe me, I know.

- That isn't true!

Mr. Pritchett, he never did anything

dishonest before in his life.

Then why did he do it?

- He had a good job. He wasn't hungry.

- I was.

What?

You can be hungry for other things

besides food.

You were very decent to me,

Mr. Pritchett.

You trusted me and I let you down.

I'm sorry.

Why did you do it, Arthur?

It's hard to explain, even to myself.

I'd been separated from my girl

for five years...

and she'd moved into a new world,

way out of my reach.

To take her out for the evening

cost two weeks of my salary.

Late collections had come in,

your money was in my pocket.

I didn't care about anything

except holding on to her.

It was my last chance. I lost anyway.

- You admit you did wrong?

- Of course I do.

- You're willing to make restitution?

- Tomorrow morning, I promise.

Mr. Pritchett,

this kid took a lot of chances for us.

Don't you think

we ought to take one for him?

You know,

it's funny you should say that.

I was talking to my brother-in-law

just the other night, about my nephew.

I made exactly that point.

I was saying that the...

Yes, and you were right, Mr. Pritchett.

Arthur, wait outside.

Sit down, Mr. Pritchett.

Now, I can see you're a man

who knows his own mind, Mr. Pritchett.

This way, please.

- How do you do, Mrs. McLeod?

- What's this about, Lieutenant?

Have a seat.

- Where's my husband?

- He'll be here in a few minutes.

- He hasn't been hurt?

- No.

- I had a terrible feeling that he...

- Nothing like that. He's all right.

You're sure?

You're not trying to break it easy?

You'll see him in a few minutes,

I give you my word. Please, sit down.

Then, what is it? What's wrong?

A prisoner here was assaulted

by your husband.

- Jim wouldn't do that.

- He did.

This could be very serious,

Mrs. McLeod.

This could cost your husband his job.

He could even wind up in jail.

Well, is there anything I can do to help?

Yes, by answering some questions,

by telling me the truth.

- Willing to go along?

- Yes, of course I am.

Did you ever run into a man named

Karl Schneider?

No.

- My cigar bothering you?

- No.

Did you ever hear your husband

mention that name?

Jim made it a rule

never to discuss his work with me.

It took me 10 years to train my wife.

It's a tough life, being married to a cop.

I don't think so. I'm happy.

- You love your husband?

- Very much.

When'd you leave Highland Falls?

The spring of 1941.

I got a job in a defense plant.

- Where?

- In Newark.

This doctor was practicing in Newark

about that time.

- Doctor?

- Schneider.

- Oh, he's a doctor?

- Yeah.

You never ran into him

around Newark, maybe?

- No, I don't know him.

- He knows you.

- What makes you think that?

- He said so.

I'm afraid he's mistaken.

He was positive. Karl Schneider.

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