“Anything’s better than your elevator.”
They walked along the passage to a door at the far end. Cutler opened it and Adams stepped out on to an iron platform. From where he stood, he had a good view of the waterfront and the surrounding buildings. Immediately below him was a dark alley that ran by the side of the hotel and led out on to the waterfront.
“So long, Lieutenant,” Cutler said.
Adams wasn’t paying attention. He was watching two men standing in the shadows. Facing them was a cop. The taller of the two men suddenly stepped back.
There was something about the cop’s cautious attitude that held Adams’ attention. He saw the taller one move slightly around to the back of the cop. He made a sudden movement and then the quiet night was shattered by the sound of gunfire.
The cop took a step forward and fell on his knees. The man who had fired grabbed his companion by the arm and dragged him down the alley immediately below where Adams was standing.
Adams’ hand slid inside his coat and he jerked out his .38 police special. He took a snap-shot at the taller of the two men and had the satisfaction of seeing him stagger. He raised the gun to fire again, but Culter appeared to slip and cannoned into him, spoiling his aim.
The two men had now disappeared down the alley.
Shoving Cutler aside, Adams raced down the escape, three steps at a time.