Page 15 - Labelle Gramercy, On the Case

Polished Off

out under a full head of steam. Muttering, of course; she had that
effect on people she ran through the mill.”
“Muttering what?” I asked.
“Who knows? Maybe threats of violence, maybe the name he gave
his sled when he was a child. I wasn’t really listening, although I’m
sure you must think I am a terrible snoop and eavesdropper.”
“Oh, not at all,” I assured her. What else could I say?
“I wonder if you could provide us with a list of those rare books
and what their current retail value might be. Your expert opinion
would definitely aid and expedite the investigation.” Labelle
Gramercy was also being about as diplomatic as she probably could
be. Iris Call had to be stroked rather than rubbed the wrong way.
“Sure. Anything I can do to get you people out of here. Police in a
bookstore don’t exactly encourage business.”
“Thank you. Mr. Keane and I are going next door to interview
Ms. Melton. I am leaving instructions for me to be contacted if and
when Ms. Doyle arrives.”
She turned on her heel and strode quickly toward the door,
already punching up a number on her cell phone. I shrugged and
grinned at Iris, then followed the policewoman out the door.
Gutenberg stared at me from the floor by the rare books, as he might
a whipped puppy.

<< 4 >>

Lieutenant Gramercy had paused to speak with the officer outside
the shop. The curiosity-seekers had just about vanished, vanquished
by boredom. Bibliopoly occupied a small single-story commercial
building, one of several along the block. The rest shared the same
dilapidation and desultory trade, and some were unoccupied. Two
doors down was Esprit Decor, a shop catering, one would conclude
from a walking-speed scan of its display window, to interior
decorators trying to satisfy clients who had not looked at a
newspaper or television—indeed, had not left their homes—in years.
I had met its owner once or twice in the course of my affairs with
Bibliopoly, but she had never expressed any interest in availing
herself of my services. I imparted that minimum of information to
Labelle as we entered the place.

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