Nemesis: The Final Case of Eliot Ness (32 page)

"Shhh!"

"And Mrs. McGovern says you sometimes disappear for days."

"A man's got to have some fun every now and then."

"So what do you do when you're having fun?"

"Haven't you ever wanted to cut loose, Mr. Ness?"

"Funny you should use the word 'cut.' "

"Nothing funny about it."

Ness pushed himself out of his chair and began pacing, wringing his hands. "You were fired by the hospital administrative staff."

"Busybodies."

"What did you do?"

"Didn't they tell you?"

"No. They said it was confidential. Involved doctor-patient confidences."

"How deliciously unhelpful of them."

Ness's lips thinned. His face flushed. Merylo thought he was becoming visibly frustrated and angry. "Why do I get the impression you're not taking this seriously?"

"Possibly because I'm not."

"You should. Do you understand why you're here?"

"Apparently you think I'm the Torso Murderer."

"I have a lot of evidence that tells me you're the Torso Murderer."

"Then I guess it must be so."

The room fell dead silent. Ness and Merylo exchanged an uncertain look.

Ness leaned in close. "Did you just confess?"

"All I did was agree with what you said. I'm sure you wouldn't mislead me. If you say you have evidence, you must have evidence."

"I do."

"May I see it?"

"No."

"Have I been charged?"

"Not yet."

"If you have so much evidence, why haven't I been charged?"

"That's really none of your business."

"Am I under arrest?"

"No."

"Well now, this is perplexing. All this evidence against me, but you haven't arrested me or even charged me. Does my cousin know I'm here?"

"No."

"When he finds out, this party will end. You'll be lucky to keep your job."

"Is that a threat?"

"I'm just saying. Maybe the smartest thing would be to call him now. Offer to turn me over to his custody. Apologize for the inconvenience."

"You really must be crazy."

"How will you explain keeping me prisoner when you're not prepared to proffer charges?"

"I like to take things slow and careful."

"Ah. Is it entirely legal to hold a man against his will for several days without charging him or arresting him?"

Ness did not reply. A phone rang. Chamberlin took the call. A few moments later, he turned on the tabletop radio, but kept it down low.

"This is all very strange," the suspect continued. "Perhaps I should have gone to law school rather than medical school. I think I'd like to retain a lawyer."

"You don't need a lawyer. You need to tell me the truth."

"I'm done talking to you. You're no fun."

Ness's face tensed up so much Merylo thought he might explode. "Have you been sending me those postcards?"

Merylo's lips parted.
What?

"Why would I send you postcards? I haven't been on vacation."

"Did you?"

"Is sending postcards illegal?"

"Trying to interfere with an ongoing investigation is illegal. Threatening law enforcement personnel and their families is illegal."

"Did any of those postcards actually threaten you?"

Ness's eyes narrowed. "You did send them."

"And even if I did, would that prove I was the Torso Killer?"

"Why did you send them to me?"

"You might as well ask why someone would kill and dismember ten people."

"Okay, why?"

"I can't imagine."

"I know a doctor who thinks this has to do with a warped childhood. That you get some kind of... gratification out of killing."

"How deliciously Freudian."

"Is it true?"

"I doubt it. Haven't the victims been of both sexes?"

"Yeah."

"Was there any sign of sexual activity?"

"No."

"Well then. It doesn't make much sense, does it?"

"Then why did you kill those people?" Ness barked. "What did they do to you?"

"You always act as if being killed is some sort of punishment, even though you know those people were the lowest of the low. Did it ever occur to you that the killer might have been doing them a favor?"

"How would killing anyone be doing them a favor?"

"What did they have to live for?"

"No one deserves to die. Especially not the way you do it."

"Some people are much too tied to the flesh."

"What are you talking about?"

"Pimps. Prostitutes. Con artists. Flesh peddlers. No chance of advancement or maturity."

"Is that why you're so obsessed with Kingsbury Run?"

"Man is the most dangerous game. And these are the killing fields."

"What are you talking about?"

"Many Eastern religions talk of achieving a higher plane. One must leave the flesh behind and become all spirit. Pure soul."

"And killing them accomplishes that?"

"Many African tribes perform blood rituals. Ceremonies. Sacrificial rites. To help troubled souls ascend."

"And the person performing the rite?"

For the first time, the suspect's eyes widened. The tiniest flicker of light shone within. "He becomes a god."

Ness didn't know what to say to that.

The silence was shattered by Chamberlin's voice. "Eliot?"

"Did you hear what he just-"

"I think you need to listen to this. On the radio."

"Are you kidding? He just-"

"It's Walter Winchell."

Chamberlin turned up the volume on the radio. The announcer spoke with a clipped dramatic urgency.

"... the unsolved torso murders in Cleveland may result in the apprehension of someone connected to one of Cleveland's most outstanding citizens. This is what I've heard from a source inside the police department whose name I promised to withhold. A medical man with great skill is allegedly responsible for the gruesome crimes in which all the murdered were dismembered. My source tells me that Cleveland's famed safety director is currently interrogating the suspect in a secret hideaway far from the prying eyes of the city and its citizens. Attention, Cleveland, Ohio. This could mean that at any moment, a breakthrough..."

Ness turned to face his suspect.

He was smiling.

"That's it then," Sweeney said, with a voice both elated and eerily suggestive. "The party's over. Now it's time to pay the tab."

The knock on the hotel room door came less than an hour after the broadcast.

Ness opened the door. Chief Matowitz stood on the other side. Ness did not recognize the other man, but the briefcase and the three-piece suit with the carnation boutonniere gave him a clue.

"Sorry, Eliot," the chief mumbled. "Had no choice."

"This is a private interrogation," Ness began. "We can't be interrupted for-"

"My name is Carlton P. Danvers," the other man said, stepping forward. "I'm a lawyer. I represent the man you are keeping in there against his will."

"He hasn't spoken to a lawyer. He only just sobered up-"

"I was hired by his cousin and given a full retainer. It's perfectly legal."

"We're in the middle of an interrogation and-"

"No, this interrogation is over." Before Ness could stop him, Danver pushed the door open. His eyebrow arched. "Handcuffs, Mr. Ness?"

"For his own safety. He went on an alcoholic binge. Spent three days shaking it off. Had the d.t.'s. We were afraid he might hurt himself."

"What do you take me for, a fool?" Danvers strode into the hotel room as if he had rented it himself. "Four men, barely any light, handcuffs. Did you train with the Bolsheviks?"

"We believe this man may be implicated in the torso murders."

"Indeed. And what hard evidence do you have?"

Ness stumbled a moment. "He knew some of the victims. He has medical expertise."

"And that's your proof?"

"You should hear what he's been saying."

"You're right, I should, but I didn't, because you kidnapped him and held him in violation of his constitutional rights. Did he confess?"

"In a manner of speaking."

"Didn't you tell me he was suffering from an alcoholic delirium?"

"He's over it. He's-"

"Is that your medical opinion, Mr. Ness? When did you get your medical degree? This poor man looks to me as if he needs medical attention."

"He's fine."

"I'm taking him away. Now."

"Just a minute." Ness jumped in front of Danvers, blocking his way. "I'm not done with him."

"I told you already. This interrogation is over."

"I'll be the one who decides when it's over."

Danvers drew up his shoulders. "I think you're in quite enough trouble already, Mr. Ness. You have held this man a prisoner in clear violation of his constitutional and God-given rights."

"I'm the safety director. I was appointed by the mayor to-"

"Is this man under arrest?"

"Not at this time."

"Then I'm taking him."

Again, Ness blocked his way. "He's not going anywhere until I've had a chance to finish what I started."

"Mr. Ness, do you want me to get a warrant?"

Behind Danvers, Ness could see Chamberlin silently shaking his head no.

"Because if I apply for a warrant, that will mean a hearing before a judge. At that hearing, I will have to describe the unconscionable conduct that I have witnessed being perpetrated on a poor man suffering from a disease and committed to a rehabilitative facility, practiced for days entirely against his will. I will not only get my warrant, you will likely be censured, if not forced to resign, removed from your post, etc. Is this something you want to read about in the morning papers, Mr. Ness?"

Ness's head was swimming. He'd been working much too long. Interrogating Sweeney, trying to make some sense out of what he was saying. Now this. He didn't know what to do.

"Let me answer for you, Eliot," Matowitz said, jumping in. "That is not what you want."

"I'll make that decision."

"No, you won't. Not this time. I'm the chief of police and this is still a police investigation. I don't want a lawsuit on my hands and I'm certain the mayor doesn't, either. Especially not when it involves Congressman Sweeney."

"Fine. Then I'll charge the man."

"With what?"

Ness's brain raced. "Drunk and disorderly."

Matowitz rolled his eyes. "Not tax evasion?" He turned his attention to Danvers. "You may take your client. Eliot, uncuff him."

"I'm telling you, Chief, he may be the killer."

"I told you to uncuff him, and I expect it to be done. Now!"

Ness removed the cuffs.

"There will be no more harassment or persecution of this man," Matowitz added. "You will leave him alone. Totally."

"Here is my business card, Mr. Ness," Danvers said, as he took Sweeney by the arm and led him out of the hotel room. "You will contact me if you want anything. You will have no contact with my client whatsoever unless I am present. If you wish to continue this conversation, you will schedule a mutually convenient appointment. Good day."

Just before they exited, Sweeney turned and...

Neither Ness nor Merylo knew how to describe the expression on the man's face. There was something in his eyes that hadn't been there before, something new and repulsive-and eerie. It wasn't exactly a smile, or a frown, or a sneer. It was more like a promise.

Chief Matowitz closed the door behind them.

"What do you think?" Ness said quietly, after they were gone.

"About what?" Merylo grunted.

"You think he's the killer?"

Merylo hesitated. "The only thing I'm sure about is this: You haven't heard the end of this business."

"I want Sweeney followed."

"I can't do that. You heard the chief."

"You work for me."

"I can't go against the chief. 'Sides, his cousin will keep him under wraps, at least for a while. You need to prepare for whatever else the congressman may do."

"Like what?"

"I don't know," Merylo said quietly. "But it won't be pretty."

From the August 16, 1938, Cleveland News:

"... but so far all attempts to verify Mr. Winchell's story have been unavailing. Given the man's enormous reputation as a reporter, and the fact that he has a wider range of sources than any journalist in this country, this paper believes there must be some truth to the report. The safety director has refused to comment, other than to say that he is not prepared to make an arrest at this time. "Congressman Sweeney was willing to talk with reporters. He said that this is simply more evidence of the safety director's unfitness to lead this investigation and his increasing desperation to preserve his overstated reputation. According to Sweeney, the safety director might well resort to desperate measures in order to close this investigation or to stifle the voices of critics such as himself. According to this elected official, Cleveland will never be safe until the investigation is put in the hands of more experienced and reliable..."

- -

"I'm telling you, Eliot. It doesn't look good."

The Banker stood in Ness 's office. He wouldn't sit. He paced. He was obviously nervous about being here, where he might be seen, during the daylight hours.

"We were following up a valid lead."

"I don't care. It stinks to high heaven."

"I can't help it that the suspect happens to be related to some political muckety-muck."

"That isn't the problem and you know it. The problem is that Sweeney has been an outspoken critic of you. Probably your most vocal opponent. And now you turn around and investigate his cousin."