Fenner went on: “I got postponements on the libel cases and I got the injunction raised. Now it’s the Coast Guardian; A Political Weekly for Thinking People. Dickinson is still the editor and publisher, and” — he smiled thinly — “I’m the silent partner. The first number comes out next week — no sale, we give it away.”
Kells said: “The city campaign ought to start rolling along about next week...”
Fenner slapped his knee in mock surprise. “By George! That’s a coincidence.” He sat grinning contentedly at Kells. Then his face hardened a little and a faint, fanatical twinkle came into his eyes. He spoke, and it was as if he had said the same thing many times before: “I’m a wording boss, Mister Kells. I gave this city the squarest deal it ever had. They beat my men at the polls last time but by God they didn’t beat me — and next election day I’m going to take the city back.”
Kells said: “I doubt it.” He smiled a little to take the edge off his words, went on: “What did you get from Perry?”
“Nothing.” Fenner yawned. “I got to his wife right after you called and gave her your message and arranged for her bail. She’s witness number one for the State. It took me a little longer to beat the incommunicado on Perry, and when I saw him and told him she had confessed, he closed up like a clam.”
Kells took off his hat and rubbed his scalp violently with his fingers. “It must have taken a lot of pressure to make a yellow bastard like him pipe down.”
Fenner said: “Who killed Haardt?”
“Perry’ll do for a while, won’t he?” Kells put on his hat.
“Are you sure you’re in the clear?”
“Yes.” Kells stood up. “You’ve got enough to work on. Lieutenant Reilly, who was your best in the force, is in a play with Jack Rose to take over the town and open it up over your head. Dave Perry was in on it. They want it all — and they figure that you and I and a few more of the boys are in their way.”