The Maltese Cube (Chapter 15)

What happened in Chapter 14.

Mac is in the park with Newton’s body. He looks around the location of where the shooter was and discovers a shell casing. He carefully removes it and calls a police friend of his, Detective B. H. Astronomer. Mac tells him about Newton and some (but not all) of what he knows. He promises the Police detective that more information will come later.

Chapter 15
Breaking the news to Lisa

Time was running out on me. I had to end this before I was the one behind bars. Barry might try to cover for me, but not at his own expense.

I hailed a cab and went back to my apartment. I unlocked the door, but could not enter as the dresser was still in front of it. I called out to Lisa and heard here push the furniture away.

Entering, I found that she had also appropriated my bathrobe and had taken a shower in my absence.

‘Did you get the Cube from Newton Mac?’ She asked.

‘Not exactly, but I know where it is. I have other news too.’ I watched her closely to see what her reaction would be. ‘Newton is dead.’

Her mouth dropped open at that. She didn’t say anything at first; just fell into the chair next to her.

‘How’¦.how did it happen?’

‘I found him in the park and after talking to him for a little while, someone shot him.’

‘The park? What was he doing there? Wasn’t he at the address I gave you?’

‘That’s where he was staying alright. He also had some unexpected company. He wasn’t home at the time, but they gave his apartment a good going over. Have you told anyone else where Newton might be?’

‘What? No! How could I?’ She stammered. ‘I’ve either been with you or him during this whole affair!’

‘That’s not necessarily true. I don’t know where you’d been before meeting me yesterday and I don’t know what you might have told Pindler when I was unconscious.’

She looked at me sullenly. ‘I didn’t tell anyone.’

‘I’ll accept that for now. It doesn’t change anything. Newton is still dead.’

‘You don’t trust me!’

‘I hardly know you. With everything that’s happened, I don’t trust anyone connected with this case.’ I said.

I walked over to the hall closet and took out a small suitcase. From what Newton had said, it should be big enough for this computer.

‘I want you to stay here until I call. It shouldn’t be long. I’ll tell you where to meet me later.’

‘You’re going to go get it, aren’t you? The Cube I mean. Why can’t I go with you?’

‘I don’t want a crowd around when I pick it up. I can shake someone following me if I’m alone, but it becomes much more difficult with two. Just stay here. You won’t be left out when the payoff comes.’

Lisa wasn’t happy at this arrangement, but I didn’t care. I wanted her someplace safe in case I ran into more trouble. This way I would know exactly where she was.

I left my apartment and headed for the street. Hailing a cab, I had it take me in the opposite direction of where I wanted to go and stopped it after a few miles. There was no obvious sign of a tail. Grabbing another cab, I had it take me directly to the Bus Station.

I kept an eye peeled for any danger and made my way to long-term storage.

I gave the attendant Newton’s key and he soon returned with a medium sized cardboard box. I walked to a secluded spot and opened it.

Inside, lay a small gray cube that looked laminated. A gray apple with a bite taken out was on two sides. Also in the cardboard box was what looked like a color coordinated flat screen monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

This was it? I had to admit it was pretty, but I didn’t see what the big deal was. I transferred everything to my suitcase and made my way back to where the taxis were. Giving my office address, I sat back and tried to relax. One way or another, this was almost over.