Hackensfield’s voice cracked in his panic. “I tell you we can’t do it. Two murders have been committed.
The newspapers have got all the details. They’ll splash it in every newspaper. The public will demand a trial.
This is the most horrible and sensational crime that’s ever been committed in this town. You’ll have to get the hell out of here and leave it to me to handle. Can’t you see that?”
“If you think I’m goin’ to pass up nearly a million dollars of investments just because you’re too damned milky to stop it, you’re crazy. I’ll stop it if I have to break into the gaol and shoot every one of those whores.
Now do you understand that I mean business?”
There was a pause, then Hackensfield said, “It won’t work. Think about it. Statements will be taken from the girls as soon as they get to the station. They’ll find out that some of the girls have come from other States.
The F.B.I. have already gone down to the station to see if they can horn in on the investigation. We can’t keep them out. As soon as they know there are girls from other States they can take charge through the Mann Act.
No, it’s all up. Every one of us’ll have to save his own hide.”
Raven hung up and stepped out of the phone booth, trembling with suppressed rage. Hackensfield was right. The thing had come too fast for him to act. The F.B.I. would take over and he’d be on the run again.
There wasn’t a moment to delay.