Crime Over Miami
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CRIME OVER MIAMI Maxwell Grant CRIME OVER MIAMI Table of Contents CRIME OVER MIAMI......................................................................................................................................1 Maxwell Grant.........................................................................................................................................1 CHAPTER I. CRIME'S TWO ACES......................................................................................................1 CHAPTER II. THE LAW INQUIRES....................................................................................................5 CHAPTER III. ACROSS THE CAUSEWAY........................................................................................9 CHAPTER IV. MIAMI MADNESS.....................................................................................................13 CHAPTER V. THE LAW WAITS........................................................................................................18 CHAPTER VI. THE NEW ARMY GAME..........................................................................................22 CHAPTER VII. THE PAYOFF.............................................................................................................25 CHAPTER VIII. THE PERFECT ALIBI..............................................................................................28 CHAPTER IX. CRANSTON MEETS CRANSTON............................................................................33 CHAPTER X. CRIME'S SECOND BARREL......................................................................................37 CHAPTER XI. DOUBLE DOUBLE.....................................................................................................41 CHAPTER XII. CRIME TAKES A HOLIDAY...................................................................................45 CHAPTER XIII. NIGHT OF BATTLE.................................................................................................50 CHAPTER XIV. BATTERED CRIME.................................................................................................54 CHAPTER XV. DEPARTURE FROM MIAMI...................................................................................59 CHAPTER XVI. THE TROPICAL ISLE.............................................................................................62 CHAPTER XVII. CARNIVAL IN TAMPA.........................................................................................66 CHAPTER XVIII. CRIME'S WATERLOO.........................................................................................69 CHAPTER XIX. SOUTH OF TAMPA.................................................................................................72 CHAPTER XX. MASTER OF CRIME................................................................................................76 i CRIME OVER MIAMI Maxwell Grant This page copyright © 2001 Blackmask Online. http://www.blackmask.com • CHAPTER I. CRIME'S TWO ACES • CHAPTER II. THE LAW INQUIRES • CHAPTER III. ACROSS THE CAUSEWAY • CHAPTER IV. MIAMI MADNESS • CHAPTER V. THE LAW WAITS • CHAPTER VI. THE NEW ARMY GAME • CHAPTER VII. THE PAYOFF • CHAPTER VIII. THE PERFECT ALIBI • CHAPTER IX. CRANSTON MEETS CRANSTON • CHAPTER X. CRIME'S SECOND BARREL • CHAPTER XI. DOUBLE DOUBLE • CHAPTER XII. CRIME TAKES A HOLIDAY • CHAPTER XIII. NIGHT OF BATTLE • CHAPTER XIV. BATTERED CRIME • CHAPTER XV. DEPARTURE FROM MIAMI • CHAPTER XVI. THE TROPICAL ISLE • CHAPTER XVII. CARNIVAL IN TAMPA • CHAPTER XVIII. CRIME'S WATERLOO • CHAPTER XIX. SOUTH OF TAMPA • CHAPTER XX. MASTER OF CRIME CHAPTER I. CRIME'S TWO ACES THERE was no moon over Miami. Instead, the city itself provided a mass of glow against the January twilight. Seemingly, Miami was afloat upon the sapphire waters of Biscayne Bay. The Magic City provided illusion, along with grandeur. In atmosphere, as well as appearance, Miami was deceptive. Some regarded it the hub of a tropical paradise, where care was forgotten and gaiety ruled. To others, Miami was a happy hunting ground wherein they could swoop, like vultures, upon hapless prey, then wing back to hidden nests. Among the throngs that teemed the hotel−lined boulevard, millionaires rubbed shoulders with marauders. In bars, they sat elbow to elbow, and it was difficult to tell which was which. Talk was cheap during the winter season, but it carried importance when backed by a heavy bank roll. Such money was plentiful; where it came from, was the question. The big spenders of tonight might be the four−flushers of tomorrow. One lucky afternoon at the Hialeah racetrack could turn a comparative pauper into a temporary plutocrat. On the contrary, men of actual wealth CRIME OVER MIAMI 1 CRIME OVER MIAMI were apt to tighten their purses after a bad day. Weeding the real from the false was something that bothered no one, except the Miami police. Spotting crooks in Miami was always more difficult than in other cities. Shady characters came from all parts of the land, and usually failed to announce themselves. In addition, hoodlums and racketeers always had an alibi for their presence. Miami was a place where people came for a vacation. A man might choose to take time off from a crooked vocation, as well as a straight one. On this particular evening, two men chanced to meet on a side street just off Biscayne Boulevard. One was sleek and smooth−faced; his olive complexion seemed unusually sallow, in contrast to his white gabardine suit and Panama hat. The other, heavier of build, had a broad face, topped by a high forehead. His head was hatless; he was wearing a light summer suit of dark gray. Their eyes met in mutual recognition, but neither showed a change of expression. Almost by accident, it seemed, they strolled in the same direction, toward a convenient arcade that was well lighted, but not thronged. Being casual was part of their act; they were a pair of crooks who knew how to cover their identities. The sallow man, in white, was Lee Clesson, ace of swindlers, who handled all big con games in town. The broad−faced, gray−clad individual was Hawk Silvey, who pulled the strings in every major robbery that occurred in Greater Miami. Each was an important cog in the criminal machine that was active during the current season. Crime had taken a new turn in Miami. Behind it was a brain who worked through lieutenants like Clesson and Silvey. Yet, like the devilfish of tropical climes, that brain was hidden. On the surface, all was much as usual. Con men, stick−up specialists were active, as always, but this year they were taking orders. There were indications of the new regime. Crime was taking a more than normal toll, whereas arrests were below par. There was other evidence, too, that criminals had banded for the season, but, so far, the law had gained but scattered inklings of systematized crime. Investigation had not yet disclosed lieutenants like Lee Clesson and Hawk Silvey, aces in the hand of a hidden master criminal whose existence was scarcely suspected. Storm warnings were out; but how hard crime's hurricane might hit, was still a matter of sheer speculation. Two men, at least, knew certain phases of crime's strength; those two were Lee Clesson and Hawk Silvey. As they emerged from the arcade, they continued to a common goal, a pretentious side−street doorway that bore the sign: PALMETTO CASINO The place in question rated as a private club. It was open to members only, though the qualifications were not strict. The Palmetto Casino had been nurtured through several seasons by Commodore Denfield, long known in aristocratic gambling circles. No one knew how far the commodore expected to get with his venture; but certain things were evident. Unless he anticipated some lucrative future, Denfield would not have opened the casino. Once having opened it, he had been on constant watch for any changes in local policies that might further his enterprise. A man of reputed wealth, experienced in the handling of gambling establishments, Commodore Denfield had a unique reputation. Though of doubtful repute in higher social circles, he was strictly apart from the CRIME OVER MIAMI 2 CRIME OVER MIAMI underworld. Similarly, though famed for his willingness to take risks, Denfield made it a policy to stay within the limits of the law. Whenever he pushed himself into trouble, the far−sighted commodore provided himself with means for a graceful retreat. Admission to the Palmetto Casino was by membership card, and a stalwart doorman blocked the entrance to the upstairs premises with stern demands for such tokens. He kept check on all arrivals; they were listed on a register in the preserves above. Everything at the Palmetto Casino was on the up and up. As some wiseacres translated "up and up," a visitor went up the stairs, and then up the river to the extent of his bank roll. Nevertheless, Class A patrons were never lacking in the Palmetto Casino. As for persons of a Class B status, they simply were not admitted. When Clesson and Silvey paused enviously in front of the lower door, passers−by who knew the repute of the Palmetto Casino would have given odds that neither man would be admitted. The doorman eyed the pair suspiciously, as their hands drifted to their pockets. Edging closer, Clesson and Silvey extended their fists and opened them. Neither man showed a membership card. Instead, each displayed a small wooden ball; each sphere had a flattened surface that bore a number. Lee's number was 16, Hawk's was 25. Eyes toward the street, the doorman let his gaze go