“I understand.” Cruikshank’s voice was calculating. The mayor looked at Yates. The police chief nodded in understanding.
“Some one — here — ” Cruikshank turned to study the men before him. He looked coldly at Louis Helwig, the promoter; then he gazed at Raymond Coates, the real-estate man. Finally, he glanced toward Graham Hurley.
“Tonight,” resumed Cruikshank, “Police Chief Yates offered his resignation. Why? Because he felt that members of this committee were attempting to obstruct his plans. I refused that resignation. Why? Because I believed that Chief Yates was right.
“There are three men here who wanted a new police chief. They — all along — have objected to all that Yates has said and done. They have interests in Seaview City. Those interests involve a popular night club and a new hotel. In both those places, crime has occurred.
“I am making no accusations. I am simply considering — wondering why these men should feel the way they do. I am upon the verge of understanding. Sometimes, those who have no contempt of crooks have criminal leanings of their own.”
With this scathing denunciation, Cruikshank paused. The men whom he had indirectly accused were fuming, but they held their silence, while the mayor turned deliberately to Herbert Carpenter.
“Go on,” said Cruikshank. “This plot against me—”
“Tonight, after ten,” blurted Carpenter. “When you are alone. Wheels Bryant is coming here, to get you. Hooks Borglund was stealing the girl. It was Bryant’s job to take you along. Shifter Reeves was to arrange the getaway—”
“I see,” interrupted Cruikshank. “A double kidnapping — with a ransom, I suppose. Well, we can provide against it. But what concerns me is the treachery that caused it. Who is this Wheels Bryant?”
“I don’t know. I never saw him.”