William Bernhardt - Nemesis - The Final Case of Eliot Ness

“I think you’re wrong about that.” He moved on down the steps and tossed his study materials into the backseat of his car. “This is the best time ever to be in law enforcement. Science is on our side. The FBI has developed the greatest crime lab in the world, and they’re showing the rest of us how it can be done. Cleveland has a first-rate Bertillon department. Top-notch forensic coroner. We’re learning more every day about blood types and fingerprints and bodily fluids. It won’t be long until we see an end to these problems that have plagued society since its inception. I think it will happen in our lifetime. Crime will become a thing of the past.”

First night on the job, and Ness was already enjoying the luxuries of his new position. He’d been appointed a driver! He didn’t have to motor himself, not even to take his wife out to dinner. Not that he minded driving-in fact, he rather enjoyed it. But that beat-up Ford, though it might be all he could afford on a Treasury agent’s salary, was starting to look a little shabby. Didn’t really fit the image of the dynamic new safety director.

When they’d arrived at one of Cleveland ’s swankiest downtown restaurants, the maître d’ recognized Ness and gave him the best seat in the joint. This was a great job. Absolutely great.

“I tell you, Edna-they were eating out of my hands.”

“I’m sure they were.”

“This safety director business could be something terrific. Might lead to something really special.”

“I would’ve thought it was already something special.”

“You know what I mean, Edna. The FBI.”

“Eliot-why would you want to be some podunk FBI agent, working under Hoover ’s thumb, watching him take all the glory?”

“It’s what I’ve always wanted, Edna. You know that. Ever since I was a kid.”

“I think you’ve done all right for yourself without J. Edgar Hoover’s help.”

He leaned a little closer to her. “So you’re happy for me? For us? Doesn’t this job sound terrific?”

Her lips pursed. “I think it sounds like a good excuse to stay away from home all day long.”

Ness stopped. The smile faded from his face. “Can’t you be happy for me?”

“I can’t change how I feel, Eliot. I would’ve told you that when the job was offered. If you’d asked me. Before you accepted.” She made a minute adjustment to the lie of her hat, a black felt pillbox pinned to her brunette hair. “You did it anyway.”

“It’s a great job.”

“It’s a loser. For losers.”

“What?”

“I’ve asked around. No one who ever held this job came out looking good. No matter what you do, there will always be people complaining that you haven’t done enough.”

“Just give me a chance.”

“Isn’t that what I’ve been doing? All these years?” Edna’s voice was thin and strained. She was a pretty woman, had been, since they’d first met as children. They’d gone to the same elementary school, though they didn’t see each other for many years afterward, until Ness spotted her working as a secretary for Alexander Jamie. He thought she was beautiful, with her dark hair cut short in the current fashion, light blue eyes, delicate heart-shaped face. Somehow he had summoned up the courage to ask her out to dinner, something that turned out to be harder than facing down Capone. But it was worth the effort. They’d been together ever since. “And what has it gotten me? A lonely lake house and an absentee husband.”

“I put a lot of money into that house. Money I couldn’t really afford to spend. Because I wanted to make you happy.”

“Or was it because you wanted to hide me away, far from everyone and everything?”

“That’s nonsense. You’re just trying to spoil my-”

“Are you listening to me at all, Eliot? I’m lonely!” Her blue eyes fairly bulged and her voice hit such a volume that she instinctively looked around to see if any of the diners at other tables had noticed. “I’m stuck out there all day with no one to talk to. Nothing to do. A husband who comes home around midnight-if I’m lucky. If he comes home at all.”

Ness twisted his neck, trying to work out the kinks. He hated these conversations. Spats. And they seemed to be coming more frequently. “I don’t know why you have to be so harsh.” He paused, fidgeting with his napkin. “I can’t-I can’t help but think things would be different if-you know. If we had children.”

“But we don’t,” Edna said, with a finality that terrified him. “We can’t.”

“Honey.” He stretched his hand out toward hers, but she did not reciprocate. “We don’t know that.”

“I know I can’t do it alone.”

The waiter brought their food: a beefsteak with hash brown potatoes for him, and grilled salmon for her. It was good-Mayor Burton’s recommendation was dead on target. Perhaps the food would brighten her spirits, Ness mused. But he saw no indication. They ate in silence.

“I-I could try… to come home earlier,” he said, so quietly even he could barely hear it.

“I’d like that.” She looked down at her food. “But I’ve heard it before.”

“This time will be different.”

“I’ve heard that before, too.”

“Seriously, Edna, it will be. Good grief-all I’m supposed to do is clean up the city. It’s not like they’re asking me to bring in Capone.”

She laid down her fork. “I think the only time you’re truly happy is when you’re working. That’s why you do it so much.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“And that’s why you’ll never change.”

“I will. You’ll see. Starting tonight.”

“Tonight?” She arched an eyebrow. “I thought you had homework.”

“Maybe… that could wait.” He reached out again with his hand, and this time she let him take hers. “Maybe tonight we could spend a little private time, just you and me.”

“Sounds good.”

“Maybe you could get out that little number you bought for our honeymoon-you remember? The red silk one.”

She lowered her head, smiling and blushing at the same time. “It isn’t really silk.”

“I don’t care. It feels good, whatever it is. Maybe we could put some music on the radio. Is Rudy Vallee on tonight? You wear that sweet little nothing and-”

He heard a throat clearing just above them. “Sir?”

It was Alphonse Carrelli, his new driver.

“Sorry, but we’re not ready to leave yet.”

“No, sir. I just thought you might like to know, given your reputation and what you said earlier today…” He cleared his throat again.

“What is it, Alphonse?”

“I was in the car, sir, listening to the radio.”

“More news from Germany?”

“No, sir. Local news. Seems there’s been a robbery. The police think they’ve got the two felons trapped.”

“Why are you telling me this? Can’t you see my wife and I are having a meal?”

Alphonse cleared his throat again. “Sir-it’s just two blocks from here. At the City Savings and Loan Company.”

Ness ’s eyes lit up. His back arched. “Two blocks?”

“That’s correct, sir.” As he spoke, through the front window of the restaurant, Ness saw and heard a police car racing by. The red light of the siren momentarily flooded the restaurant, then faded into nothingness.

Ness ’s hands twitched on the tabletop.

“Sir, I’ve got the car waiting just outside the front door.”

Ness looked into Edna’s eyes. She stared back at him, stony and expressionless.

“No,” he said.

Edna’s shoulders rose. The corners of her lips turned upward.

“No, if it’s only two blocks, I’ll walk.” He pushed himself to his feet, reached into his pocket and tossed a wad of bills onto the tabletop. “You stay here and take Mrs. Ness home. When she’s ready.”