The Big Sleep Page #3

through the railing.

The rain stopped here about 9 P.M.

The broken rails are dry inside.

That would put it about 9:30.

Let's have it, doc.

His neck's broken and something

hit him across the temple.

What made the bruise?

Steering wheel?

Whatever it was, it was covered.

The wound had bled under

the skin while he was alive.

- Blackjack?

- Could be.

Bernie, funny thing.

The hand throttle is set

halfway down.

Thanks, Jim. So long, doc.

All right, boys. Take him away.

- Could be drunk or a suicide.

- Yeah, but it isn't.

You know anything about Owen Taylor?

Only that a few

Sternwood chauffeurs...

...lost their jobs on account

of the younger daughter, Carmen.

Tell me what

you're working on, Phil.

They told me blackmail.

Who were they after? Carmen?

This doesn't look like

the way you'd handle it.

You know, I got a feeling that...

Me? I didn't do this.

What were you going to say, Phil?

Give me another day, Bernie.

I may have something for you.

Okay. Let's go home.

Good morning.

You do get up.

I was thinking...

...you worked in bed,

like Marcel Proust.

- Who's he?

- A French writer.

Come into my boudoir.

You don't put on a front.

Not much money in this work

if you're honest.

Are you honest?

- We're going to start that again?

- I'm sorry. Also, about yesterday.

- Perhaps I was rude.

- We were both rude.

You want to see me about Taylor?

So you know about that?

Poor Owen.

The DA's man took me down to Lido.

He knew more about it than I did.

He knew Owen Taylor wanted

to marry your sister.

Perhaps it wouldn't

have been a bad idea.

You see, he was in love with her.

But I didn't come here about Owen.

You still can't tell me

what my father wants you to do?

Not without his permission.

You can't even tell me

if it was about Carmen?

You better look at this.

A messenger brought it today.

"Eight thirty-five."

That's right.

She takes a nice picture.

They want 5000 for

the negative and prints.

The demand came how?

A woman telephoned me after

it was delivered.

- What else?

- There has to be something else?

This thing isn't

worth $5000 to anybody.

- They think it is.

- Why?

She said if they didn't

get the money today...

...I'd be talking to my sister

through a wire screen.

She said there was a police jam

connected with it.

What kind of a jam?

I don't know.

You know where this picture

was taken?

- I haven't the slightest idea.

- Or when?

- Talk to Carmen about it?

- She was asleep when I left.

Figure out a story?

- Norris fixed that.

- How?

She was in all evening.

Police checked when

they called about Owen.

Go ahead and scratch.

What was Owen doing

with your car last night?

Nobody knows.

He took it without permission.

Why? You think...

That he knew about this picture?

I don't rule him out.

Outside of what the woman said...

...you don't know why

they want $5000 for it?

That's why I came to you.

There's five fingers on a glove.

Why didn't you go to the police?

You were afraid they'd find

something I couldn't sit on.

Then where would the Sternwoods be?

May I use your phone, Mr. Marlowe?

Police headquarters, please.

Hello, this is Mrs...

Hello. What do you want, please?

What?

I called you?

Say, who is this?

Sergeant Reilly?

There isn't any Sergeant Reilly here.

Wait a minute.

You'd better talk to my mother.

Hello. Who's this?

The police?

This isn't a police station.

If you know it, why did...

Look, this is not a police station!

What was that you said?

My father should hear this.

Hello. Who is this?

Yeah, but she just told you that...

You're the police!

He's the police.

Well, that's different.

What can I do for you?

I can do what?

Where?

Oh, no! I wouldn't like that,

and neither would my daughter.

I hope the sergeant

never traces that call.

You like to play games, don't you?

Why did you stop me phoning?

Because I'm working for your father.

Or because I think I'm beginning to

like another one of the Sternwoods.

I prefer the second reason.

Well, let's get back to business.

Have you got $5000 in cash?

- Can you get it?

- I think so.

- Where from, your father?

- I'd rather not.

Where would you get it?

Well, from Eddie Mars.

The gambler?

That explains why you

haven't got $5000 in cash.

- I like gambling.

- So do I.

How do you know he'll

give it to you?

I can get the money.

I've been a good customer

of Eddie Mars'.

Another reason:

There's a bond between

Mr. Mars and the Sternwoods.

You see, Shawn Regan ran off

with Eddie's wife.

That doesn't interest you?

It might make it easier

for me to find him.

If I were looking for him.

Is Regan mixed up in this?

No. Shawn's not in any

cheap blackmailing scheme.

I'm glad you said that.

Do you want to tell me now?

- Tell you what?

- What you're trying to find out.

You know, it's a funny thing.

You're trying to find out

why I was hired.

And I'm trying to find out why you...

You could go on forever,

couldn't you?

It'll give us something

to talk about next time.

Among other things.

Oh, Mrs. Rutledge.

You wanted me to do something

about this, didn't you?

That call, how'd you leave it?

She's to call me at 6 p.m.

With instructions.

Phone me when you've heard from her.

As long as you're going

to pay $5000 for these...

...you'd better take this.

Goodbye, Mr. Marlowe.

Well, it wasn't intentional.

Try it sometime.

- I'm back again. Remember me?

- I'm afraid I...

Do you remember me now?

Now, see here!

That was only a stall

about those first editions.

I got something to sell.

Something Geiger wants. Is he in?

No, he isn't.

You might come back tomorrow...

Drop the veil.

I'm in the business myself.

Is he sick?

I could go to his house.

No, that wouldn't do.

If you'd come back tomorrow...

Say, Agnes, you...

Come on, Carol.

Hurry up, will you?

- Perhaps...

- His name's Lundgren, isn't it?

- What do you want?

- Who's the other guy?

You'd better come tomorrow.

In the morning? Early?

Because it looks like

you're moving today.

All right, driver. Let's go!

Around the corner, then take it easy.

- Where are we going?

- Follow a car. A tail job.

I'm your girl, bud.

It wouldn't be bad.

That station wagon coming out

of the alley. That's the one.

Here you are, sugar.

Buy yourself a cigar.

If you can use me again sometime,

call this number.

Day and night?

Night's better.

I work during the day.

- What are you...

- Remember me? I'm Doghouse Reilly.

The man that didn't grow very tall.

What's the matter,

couldn't you get in the house?

Come on. I've got a key.

- Where'd you leave your car?

- Around in back.

Looking for something?

How much do you remember

about last night?

Remember what?

I was sick last night, I was home.

Before you went home.

In that chair there.

You remember, all right.

Quit your stalling

and stop biting your thumb!

- Were you the one who was here?

- How much do you remember?

Are you the police?

No, I'm a friend of your father's.

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