"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 254 - Syndicate of Sin" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

"The Vanderpool Galleries, eh? A very dignified and respectable place. A smart spot to contact
prospective customers. Did you speak to either of the two owners of the Vanderpool Galleries while you
were there? To Mr. Spooner? Or to Mr. Brand?"

"No," Cotswold said. "I spoke only to the red-haired girl. That's all I know. It's the truth!"

"I believe it is," Kemper sneered. "I'm sorry to have annoyed you, Bobo, will you kindly end Mr.
Cotswold's annoyance?"

Again Bobo leaned over the bed. Cotswold screamed as he saw the glitter of the .38, but he was unable
to jerk his head away from the barrel of the weapon.

There was an explosive roar. Blood spattered from the millionaire's skull. He died instantly.

Mark Kemper stared at the two corpses with unruffled composure.

He turned toward his two henchmen.

"You know where to dump these bodies. I want both of them left in the vacant lot alongside the alley
which I described to you earlier. I want the police to find them. I want plenty of publicity. You
understand?"
They nodded.

"I want the man from whom Cotswold bought the Da Vinci to realize that he faces danger. I want him to
be scared! When you're planning to highjack a smart crook, the first thing you do is to let him know
you're tougher than he is! He'll know how tough I am when he finds out what happened to one of his
petty thugsтАФand one of his wealthiest customers."

"Suppose we run into trouble dumping the bodies?" Bobo asked.

"You won't. There will be plenty of protection. And nowтАФget busy! Report to me when the job is
finished."

Mark Kemper turned and left the room.

Fifteen minutes later, Bobo and Sam mounted to the seat of a small covered truck that was parked in an
alley. Inside the truck were the bodies of Cotswold and Blinky.

The two thugs chuckled. They were both in high good humor.

Bobo stepped on the gas. As he did so he saw a furry streak move across the alley. It was a stray cat
that had been dozing on the dark pavement.

"A buck I hit it," Bobo cried as he swung the wheel.

"A buck you don't," Sam grinned.

The truck lurched sideways. There was a sickening bump under the front tire.

Sam craned his neck and saw the cat's bloody carcass. Grinning, he handed his pal a dollar bill.