Read 1981 - Hand Me a Fig Leaf for Free Online

can rely on me."
    "Fine. I just said this is a fig-leaf job. We Parnell operators use a special jargon of our own. When we say it's a fig-leaf job, we mean it is a cover-up job. Since Adam bit the apple, he used a fig-leaf to cover his equipment. Get it? Fig-leaf: cover-up."
    "You think Jackson's death is a cover-up job?"
    "I know it is. This is murder, Bill. Make no mistake about that. Here's what could have happened. The killer could have been still around when I arrived at the cabin. When I left, he could have returned to the cabin and plaited the gun. I'm not sold on this idea, but it's possible. I like the idea better that Dr. Steed planted the gun. He knew if Jackson had been murdered, the State police would have to be called and that would be the end of Sheriff Mason. So, I like the idea that, when you told him on the phone that Jackson had been murdered, he collected the gun, got ahead of us and planted the gun to give Mason a fig-leaf."
    "Dr. Steed would never do such a thing!" Anderson gasped.
    "Look, Bill, you're young. These things happen. Old friends are loyal to each other. Why should Steed worry about an old man like Jackson getting murdered: a murder that would get his pal Mason into trouble? A suicide keeps the State police out of it. Anyway, murder is police business, not mine. My business is to find Jackson's grandson. Jackson hired the Agency to do just that. But, remember, Bill, if you really want to work with our Agency, I expect you to cooperate."
    "Jesus! This is a bit much for me, Mr. Wallace, but you sure can rely on my cooperation."
    "Then all you have to do is to keep your mouth shut and your ears and eyes open." I said, looking at his young, worried face. "I've alerted you, but say nothing, leave all this to Dr. Steed."
    Half an hour later, we were sitting around Sheriff Mason's desk: Dr. Steed, Anderson and myself.
    I thought as I looked at Mason's fat, benign face that it was remarkable what a pint of Scotch could do for a man. Mason, oozing sweat, now looked like a happy Santa Claus.
    He had listened to Dr. Steed's report, humming under his breath, then he beamed at me.
    "So we have a little trouble," he said. "Mr. Wallace, let me tell you I have heard of Colonel Parnell. I'm proud to meet one of his operators." He leaned forward and patted my arm. "A great agency. Great operators."
    "Thank you," I said.
    "A little mistake, huh?" He screwed up his pig-like eyes and released a soft belch. "No matter how smart you are, you can always make a little mistake. Right?"
    "Sure," I said, my expression wooden.
    He then looked at Dr. Steed.
    "Now, Larry, you went up there and you tell me that poor old fella shot himself. . . right?"
    "No doubt about it," Dr. Steed said, shaking his head mournfully. "I'm not surprised, Tim. The poor old fella lived in bad conditions, he had lost his grandson and he was lonely. You know, thinking about it, it's a merciful end. I don't stand in judgement of him. To be without legs, no one to take care of him . . . a merciful end."
    "Yeah." Mason took off his Stetson hat, wiped his forehead, replaced the hat and also looked mournful. "So, there's no need to bring the State police into this sad affair?"
    "Certainly not. A suicide doesn't necessitate consulting the State police," Dr. Steed said, his voice Mason beamed and rubbed his hands.
    "That's good. I don't like those fellas. When's the inquest, Larry?"
    "In a couple of days. I can clear this up quick. We'll have to bury him on the town, Tim. I don't think he had burial money. Still, we can afford it. I guess the town will want to put him away real good."
    "You're right: the father of a national hero. You talk to them, Larry." Mason took out his wallet and produced a crumpled five-dollar bill. "I'd like to contribute. I'll leave it to you to raise the rest of the money. We must give him a good send-off."
    Dr. Steed got to his feet as he put the bill in his pocket.
    "I've always said, Tim, you have a generous heart. I'll be