it was because someone else was paying for the information. For all the information that could be obtained about the guy. But what relationship would there be between all the blackmailed? Didn’t know that, I admit, but it struck me that it was unlikely that they were all politicians. And that led me to think that every victim was a commissioned work for various clients. People who hired these girls, and then would use the data obtained for their own purposes.
"I must admit not until the third cigarette I began to realize something. My role in this whole mess seemed a really forced one. I felt like a Deus ex machina, staged in an overly fancy way to be a coincidence. This squeaked me, if you know what I mean, but it was something else that inspired me. Christine’s death.
"Christine died just few hours after giving the information that would serve to blackmail the mayor, and I couldn't understand how the association was able to learn about that so quickly ... unless they have someone close, very close to the mayor. As I say, all these separate things wouldn't have told me much; joining them, the matter is pretty clear. Don't you think, Landers?"
Landers looked at him with eyes wide open, though it was impossible for him to reply, as he was gagged. Nor he could (although sure he would have liked to) leave the small and dark basement, prevented by the ropes that bound him. Cutfield struck a match against the wall, and used it to light a large cigar. It wasn't usual for him to smoke cigars, but the occasion required a certain degree of solemnity.
"I will continue, if you do not mind," said the detective, releasing a cloud of thick smoke. "When the possibility that you had hired the association to get information about your boss came to me, everything started to make sense. You even made me to think you didn't want to talk about blackmail, when your intention was I follow you and eliminate the whole gang! You're a lot smarter than I realized, you bastard! "
He approached the man and punched him in the stomach with his left hand. His shoulder still hurt, though the shot he had received turned out to be only a little scratch. Landers seemed to have something to say, but Cutfield didn't give a shit for his words.
"Honestly, I don't care you wanted blackmailing Hylan, and it's not important for me you hired those whores. What I do hate is being teased, Landers, and I'll not forgive you for that."
The assistant to the mayor was trying to talk, beg, cry ... but it was impossible to him doing any of these things.
"I always smoke a cigar when I solve a case, you know? Alas, this one's still opened. And I'm a creature of habit."
He had got more ammo for Alec's gun, a weapon that nobody ever relates to him, at Amanda's lair. Now, he was holding in front of the terrified face of Landers, who shook his head in despair. Put his finger on the trigger and said the last three words which the assistant of the mayor would hear:
"Case closed, Landers."
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