In Episode 1, John Gordon was found dead on a sidewalk with a bullet hole in his forehead.
In Episode 2, Eli (“Stodge”) Stodgell, a police constable, confronted Donald Todd, the main suspect.
In Episode 3, Stodge hatched a plan to use his brothers, Harry and Bert, to get Todd to confess to Gordon’s murder.
In this episode, Episode 4, the brothers, with the help of their sister, Mary, put the plan into action.
Harry set the hook the next night at the American. It wasn’t difficult. Frank, his brother-in-law, was behind the bar. Harry, newly shaved and dressed in a spiffy new suit, took the stool next to Todd’s, flashed a fat roll of police money, and with it bought Todd a half dozen drinks, while he downed matching shots of coloured water poured by Frank from a different bottle. Then he introduced Todd to his dolled-up sister, Mary, who seemed to find Todd irresistible.
“Don’t he resemble Bob?” said Mary, squeezing Todd’s bicep.
“He does,” said Harry. “and if he takes Bob’s place, he’s a daisy.”
“Who’s Bob?” asked Todd.
“An old friend,” said Mary.
“Old as in former,” said Harry. “As in, probably pretty fucking close to dead by now.”
“Poor old Bob,” said Mary with a tsk.
Bert arrived, also in a new suit. Harry introduced him to Todd as his boss. Five shots later, Harry stepped out to use the can and Bert told Todd that he and the boys had something pretty good to work that could use his help.
“What kind of help?”
“Nothing dangerous. We need a lad we can trust. Who won’t squeal and can handle himself in tight spots.” He peeled a few bills off an even bigger roll than Harry’s and laid them in front of Todd on the bar. Todd grinned, clumsily scooped them up, and opened his coat to reveal a sizeable knife strapped to the inner lining. Mary faked a gasp and tittered.
Harry returned and whispered something in Bert’s ear.
“You got a moment now, Donny?” said Bert. “We could use you upstairs.”
“With what?”
By this point, he had to keep one eye shut to stop the room from spinning.
Upstairs was a suite of two adjoining rooms on the top floor connected by a closed door. In the first room was a card game. The two large men sitting at it, introduced to Todd as “the boys,” were firemen from Harry’s brigade. They both had dried blood on the backs of their hands.
Todd took a seat. Mary sat on his lap. Harry sat next to them. “I’ll spot you, Donny,” said Bert laying a neat stack of bills in front of Todd. “You’ll be good for it.” Then he took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and walked through the door to the adjoining room, making sure, before closing it behind him, that Todd had a good look at what was inside: a frightened-looking man with a bloodied face naked to the waist and tied to a chair.
Bob.
Two flasks were passed around the card table. The deck was tricked, but Todd didn’t notice. His pile of winnings grew quicker than anyone else’s and the alcohol made it hard for him to focus, as did the sound of Bert punching Bob, and Bob’s groans and screams. Also, Mary, squirming on his lap, nuzzling his ear, telling him what cards to play.
The door reopened and Bert came out clutching a blood-soaked towel to his fist. He left it open this time. Bob was slumped over in the chair, battered head on his chest, eyes closed.
“He dead?” asked Harry, without looking up from his hand.
“Not yet,” said Bert. “Your turn.”
Harry turned to Todd. “Unless you want a shot, Donny.”
Todd didn’t move.
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to, Donny,” whispered Mary.
“What did Bob do?” he asked Bert.
“He lied.”
“About what?”
“Doesn’t matter. In our organization, we can’t have secrets. That way nothing comes back at you.”
“Don’t be lazy, Harry,” said Mary.
“Off you go, bro,” said Bert to Harry. “Donny can do round three. He and I have business.” He threw the towel in the sink and sat next to Todd. “Boys, how about taking Mary downstairs to the bar for some more refreshments? We’ll join in a bit.”
Mary gave Todd a peck and a squeeze and left with the boys. Harry went into the other room. When the door closed Bob opened his eyes, looked up at Harry and smiled. Harry rolled up his sleeves, turned to face the side of beef hanging from a hook in a corner of the room, and punched it as hard as he could in the brisket. Bob let out a cry of pain.
End of Episode 4.