William Bernhardt - Nemesis - The Final Case of Eliot Ness

Ness did not like being laughed at. Never had, not even when he was a child and the other kids called him “Elegant Mess” because of his unique combination of snazzy attire and social awkwardness. He was always careful not to make too much of himself; he knew immodesty could blow up in his face. But he still wanted people to take him seriously. He needed that.

“This isn’t the end,” Ness said. His voice was soft-spoken, as always, and just this once he wished it had a little more grit in it.

“Yes, you’ve said that before, haven’t you? Your predictions aren’t worth very much.”

“You lost a big stash of liquor last week.”

“Who did? Certainly you’re not claiming you’ve been able to link that contraband to me?”

Frescone obviously knew Ness had not. Who told him? “You’re smart, Frescone. I’ll give you that. You learned from your previous mistakes. Reinforced the door. Barricaded the skylight. Figured out a way to hide all the gambling jiggery, fast. But I will get you.”

“Mr. Ness, I am a private citizen and I am entitled to the same rights as other private citizens. This continual harassment is unacceptable. I will be calling the district attorney, who you may know is my personal friend. I will proffer charges against you, Mr. Ness. And that goes for your little lapdog, Chief Matowitz, too.”

Every head in the room turned. Standing by the door, Matowitz looked as if he wished he could crawl into a hole and die.

“You know,” Frescone continued, lowering his voice a notch, “I could find a place for you in my business organization, Ness. You don’t have to be saddled with these-” He glanced contemptuously at Matowitz. “-civil servants.”

Well, Ness thought, Frescone was a snappier dresser. And quite possibly more intelligent. But no. “I don’t think so.”

“Why be a patsy? This safety director routine is for losers. Give it up now and save yourself a lot of anguish.”

“Thank you for your sage advice,” Ness replied. “But I like my job just fine. And I will be back. Mark my words.”

“As you wish, Mr. Ness. You’ll be just as successful as you were tonight. But next time, I’ll have my attorney waiting.”

Ness turned silently and headed toward the door. He felt as if he were passing through a gauntlet, brushing against the shoulders of privileged and wealthy patrons who either sneered at him or ignored him altogether. They were no better in his mind than the criminals who ran the place. Maybe worse, since they didn’t need this to make a living. They thought breaking the law was fun.

As he passed, the Banker subtly slipped a business card into Ness’s pocket. He was looking away as he did it. He obviously didn’t want Ness to make contact. Now.

“Will I be reading about this raid in the newspapers tomorrow?” Frescone shouted after him. “Or will this story be… untouchable?”

“I don’t know,” Ness said, just before he reached the door. “Can you read?”

He tipped his hat slightly and left The Thomas Club, feeling much more like The Elegant Mess than a renowned crimefighter. He would have to reverse this setback, as soon as possible.

He had to. So much depended upon it.

“You must be kiddin’ me. Fifty dollars?”

“Swear to God.”

“I could live two years offa fifty dollars.”

“I know you could.”

“And all I gotta do is come back to your place?”

“That’s all.”

“There must be some catch.”

“Not at all. These are hard times. We have to help one another whatever way we can.”

“That’s good of you. But you know-a lady’s got to be careful. There’s been creepy stuff goin’ on around here.”

“I know that, too.”

“How do I know this won’t turn into something weird?”

“Do I look weird?”

“Nah. You’re not from around here, are you?”

“Not originally.”

“Let’s just do it. I could really use that dough.”

“Follow me.”

It was so easy here. Almost too easy. Kingsbury Run teemed with the disaffected, the lost, the penniless. It was not a challenge at all. There had to be something more…

That was what his wife had said. That was what she always said. Always pushing him. Do this, do that, do more. A staff position at the hospital wasn’t enough for her. Start your own practice. See patients of your own. Why? What was the challenge? How would that give him what he needed?

Curse the woman. He was better off without her.

This one was so stupid she wasn’t suspicious until he had her tied to the chair.

“Hey, I said I’d let you have a little fun. I never said I’d let you tie me up!”

“Perhaps there was some miscommunication.”

“Get me outta this. Now!”

“I believe you have misunderstood the nature of this visit.”

“I know I don’t want to be tied up. Have you heard about those people! Those corpses?”

“A little bit.”

“So you see what I’m sayin’. Let me loose.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t. Not now.”

“Then when?”

Hesitation. “When you least expect it.” He shoved her forward onto the table. Her head dangled off the edge.

“Hey, what’s this? What are you, some kinda pervert?”

“Some kind.”

That was what his wife had said when she walked out on him. Of course she was bitter. She had not gotten what she’d bargained for. She wanted an uptown respectable citizen, and she got someone who would… never be that. Never wanted to be that.

Fine. But notifying the authorities-that was too much. Why had he endured all those twisted inquisitioners, would-be Freuds, trying to pry inside his head? They reached their verdict-but what did they know about it? He didn’t need that job; he knew he would be provided for. Ignorant panel of so-called experts. Did they know what he knew? Had they glimpsed his destiny? The thought of so many unworthy people casting their aspersions on him-it made him angry. It made him want to hurt someone.

“Cut me loose and I’ll give you something you’ll like.”

“I’ll just use my imagination.”

“Let me go!”

“When the time comes.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means-hold still. If my aim is off, it will hurt a great deal more.”

Back in school, they had told him that pain was to be avoided at all costs. Modern science had given them a solution. Anesthesia. We could numb the pain. Eliminate the suffering. People could undergo all kinds of mutilation and dismemberment and never feel the agony. This was a great advance for medical science, they had told him. But even while they were saying it, he felt a loss deep within the core of his being. Science had taken so much from him. Science needed to be put back in its place.

“Hurt? What are you talking about?”

“Let’s hope nothing. I’m a lot better at it than I used to be. And more careful.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Good night, Sleeping Beauty.”

He swung the axe. It cut clean. He was definitely getting better at this.

And then it was over. So soon. Much too soon. It had barely begun to move him. There would have to be more cutting. Much more cutting.

He couldn’t wait until the next time. And all the other times thereafter.

JANUARY 26, 1936

Whose idea had it been to move to Cleveland?

Angela Felice rolled over in her bed. Her hands and feet felt like ice. No quantity of blankets-not that they had that many-would be sufficient for a night such as this. It had been years since they could afford heating, and never once in Cleveland. She was grateful that Johnny had found work, such as it was, but she would never be accustomed to these unbearably freezing nights, so harsh she could hear water crackling into icicles and could feel every year of her life aching in the marrow of her bones.