Griffith Stadium

Griffith Stadium

A NOVEL

By Robert Ambros

AuthorHouse™

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This book is a work of fiction. Places, events, and situations in this story are purely fictional unless otherwise indicated. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is coincidental. The only factual names in this work are those of historic political leaders. Any resemblance to any actual person or entity is equally unintentional and entirely coincidental.

© 2011 Robert Ambros. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 7/27/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4634-3838-8 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4634-3839-5 (sc)

Printed in the United States of America

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

St. Louis, Missouri

September 1939

Jack Haynes slammed the phone down in disgust. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and looked up. Who the hell keeps closing those damn windows? he yelled, glaring at the three soaring windows on the far side of the newsroom. Someone kept closing them despite the ninety-degree heat. He dropped his gaze and watched Edwards, the circulation editor, cross the floor.

Who’s gonna go for hamburger sandwiches? Edwards asked. How ’bout you, Haynes?

Are you joking? Get a punk from downstairs. Although Jack was almost thirty years old and had been an investigative reporter for the St. Louis Herald for nearly three years, the others were older and still thought of him as the new kid.

But it’s your turn, Edwards countered.

Put it on a Victrola record, Jack snapped as he rose from his chair. He walked up to the windows, opened them all, and returned to his roll-up desk. He stood there staring at a pile of papers, wondering what to do next. Thomas Duffy, his boss, had given him forty-eight hours to find a new angle on the Dyson kidnapping. Jack had given it his best; he’d approached the family, the neighbors, the father’s employees—none of them were willing to say a word. Jack was not surprised; when the eight-year-old son of a business tycoon rumored to be involved with the Mob was kidnapped, it was in the best interest of everyone to keep their mouths closed.

Jack sat back down at his desk and sighed. He had taken off his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his white cotton shirt, but he still found the heat oppressive. His stomach churned; he yanked open the top drawer and shoved the contents around, searching for a bottle of bicarbonate of soda. He raised his head when he glimpsed a figure approaching—Duffy.

Well? asked Duffy, leaning forward as he always did when he spoke. Duffy was a tall man in his late forties, so he seemed to loom above the seated Jack. He lifted bushy eyebrows. Ya got anything?

Jack closed his desk drawer and stared at Duffy’s brown vest, wondering how someone could wear wool in this weather. I’m working on it, he replied.

Duffy folded his arms. What ya got so far?

Jack shook his head. This ain’t easy, boss. I tried talking to a dozen people; they’re all dumb. No one wants to talk and that tells me the Mob’s involved.

Duffy scratched his forehead. Any louse can come back empty-handed. The paper ain’t paying ya for nothing. When was the last time ya got the scoop, anyway?

I guess when I covered the mayor, answered Jack.

Duffy lowered his arms and clenched his teeth. He looked around to make sure no one was listening. Stop throwing that in my face, he whispered.

Sure thing, chief, Jack quickly replied.

Duffy turned away and stalked back across the floor. Jack reopened the top drawer, still searching for the soda.

Who opened the windows? someone yelled. More flies in here than fatheads.

Jack watched Ryan run into the newsroom and rush for a desk. Dropping into the chair, he threw a sheet of paper into the typewriter. Get Duffy! he yelled to everyone. I got a flash! He wiped back his slick black hair and threw his cigarette on the floor. The others slowly approached as the middle-aged newsman started typing frantically. Get away from me, you mugs! Ryan yelled when they peered over his shoulder. This is my story. Someone call Duffy.

Duffy appeared and stood flat footed in front of the man’s desk. What ya got, Ryan?

We got an extra, Ryan replied without looking up. Dyson’s been gunned down.

What, the kid? asked Duffy.

Not the kid, the old man, answered Ryan. Gunned down right in front of his house.

Jack approached Ryan’s desk himself.

When’d this happen? Duffy demanded.

About half an hour ago, answered Ryan.

Ya got this confirmed?

Ryan continued typing. Saw the stiff myself. Got a police description to go with it.

Duffy picked up Ryan’s phone. Duffy here, he said. We’re running an extra. Let ’em know down in the pit and get me a rewrite man.

You don’t need any damn rewrite, complained Ryan.

Duffy put the phone down. Anyone else get the story?

I was the only reporter there, Ryan answered and then laughed.

Duffy rubbed his hands together. Finally… just when I thought all you bums were washed up. He strode out of the office.

Haynes, I got a dame on the blower, someone shouted from across the room. She wants to talk to ya.

Jack stared at Ryan, still trying to absorb what he’d just heard.

Haynes! the man yelled again. Phone!

Jack looked up. Okay, he said, wondering if the Dyson boy’s aunt was on the phone. Just the other day, he’d tried to interview her; although she refused to talk, Jack had sensed conflict in her behavior and told her to contact him should she change her mind. Throw her on my wire.

I can’t! the man shouted back. It’s long distance, from Washington. You got to come here.

Jack squinted. Long distance? He walked over and took the receiver, wondering if Dyson had contacts in Washington. Hello, Haynes here.

Mr. Haynes? a woman’s voice asked.

Yeah, yeah, Haynes. How can I help you?

Mr. Jack Haynes? she asked.

Yeah, Jack Haynes. Go on, sister.

Are you the brother of Lou Harris?

Jack paused, not knowing what to say. He had changed his last name a long time ago, when he was being sought by the FBI. Who wants to know? he finally asked.

I… I have some bad news. Are you Lou’s brother?

What happened? Jack asked. His fingers tightened involuntarily around the receiver.

Are you his brother? she asked again.

Who wants to know?

My name is Maggie, the woman replied. Maggie Thorton. I’m a friend of Lou’s.

Okay, okay, I’m his brother. What happened? There was a pause. Jack jiggled the hook. Hello?

It’s very bad news.

Go on, said Jack.

I… I don’t know if I can.

Come on. Spit it out, sister.

Lou’s dead, she blurted.

Jack felt his heart drop. What happened?

The police say he was murdered.

Jack did not know what to think. Is this a joke?

There was silence at the other end. Please, don’t even say that, he finally heard.

Okay, okay. Where’d this happen? asked Jack.

Here in Washington, she replied. At a ballpark.

What ballpark?

Griffith Stadium.

Jack frowned. Who killed him?

They don’t know. I thought I should let you know. It’s… it’s…

Sensing she was about to cry, Jack soothed, Okay, okay, calm down, sister. Tell me, when did this happen?

The police said four days ago.

Four days ago? And you’re just calling me now?

I just found out myself, she answered. It’s a long story.

Jack pulled the chair out from the desk and sat down. I got time.

I can’t talk over the phone, she snapped.

Why not?

There was silence at the other end. Jack again jiggled the hook. Hello?

Edwards walked up to Jack, shaking his head. Haynes, everybody says it’s your turn.

Jack glared at Edwards. What the hell you talking about?

Edwards’ face turned red. Hamburgers, Haynes, hamburgers.

Jack turned his attention back to the phone. Hello?

That’s all I have to say, he heard her say.

Wait! Wait! Jack shouted into the phone. He looked up at Edwards and moved the phone away from his mouth. Get the hell out of here! He placed the receiver back on his shoulder. I just got a couple of questions. Did you go to the police station?

Of course I went to the police, she answered.

Jack turned around and lunged at the desk behind him. He grabbed a pen and a sheet of paper. Do they have the guy?

The what?

The guy. Did they catch the guy?

No.

Are there any suspects?

There was a pause. The police don’t care, she finally said.

Edwards waved his arm and walked away.

Why not? Jack asked.

Like I said, it’s a long story.

Jack impatiently shook his head. Where’s this police station?

Here in Washington, she said.

Yeah, yeah—where? What street?

The station’s on Pomeroy Street. Why?

Jack jotted down the name of the street. And where d’you live?

"Why?’ she asked.

I’ll come down there if I can get away. When’s the funeral?

We don’t have money for a funeral, she replied. But I live on 137 Elm Street here in D.C.

Jack’s mind raced. What’s your name again?

Maggie Thorton, she yelled.

He could not think of anything else to ask. Okay, thanks for the call. Jack threw down the receiver and brushed back his slick, sandy blonde hair. The familiar pain of guilt hit him as he walked back to his desk. He plopped down in his wooden chair, folded his arms, and stared at Ryan, still typing away. He reached for his phone and jiggled the hook. Esther, he said, get me Duffy.

***

Final! Final! German troops advance in Poland! Read all about it! the hawkers screamed outside Union Station in Washington D.C.

Jack turned his head away from their waving newspapers as he entered the main hall from the tracks, lugging a worn, brown leather suitcase in his left hand. He usually listened to the hawkers’ yells to get a fix on what they would shout to sell papers. They worked through trial and error, starting by shouting the headline, then coming up with their own catchphrases if that didn’t sell. They quickly discovered what persuaded people to buy. Jack had concluded long ago that editors could learn a lot from the hawkers.

Jack was too tired to pay attention now. The B&O train had been delayed in Charleston, making his journey from St. Louis last over thirty hours. He raked tired eyes across the hall, searching for an exit. There.

He pushed through the Roman arch at the station’s main entrance, realizing only when he stepped outside that he’d forgotten to observe the station’s interior. He had overheard a tourist on the train say that the station’s interior was a national landmark, inspired by the Baths of Diocletian in ancient Rome. Jack had never heard of Diocletian and wondered what it meant. He was too exhausted to go back in and look.

The humid air hit Jack as soon as he walked out of the station. Dropping his bag at the taxi post, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead. When a black Ford taxi scooted to the curb in front of him, he picked up the suitcase, opened the rear door, and awkwardly worked his tall, thin frame into the cab.

A middle-aged man wearing a black visor looked into his rearview mirror. Where to, Mac?

You got hotels near Griffith Stadium? asked Jack.

Sure.

Well then, that’s where I’m going. Can you find me one that won’t burn a hole in my pocket?

The driver chuckled. Depends on the size of your pocket, buddy.

Do your best, said Jack.

The driver pulled down the lever on his meter and drove onto Massachusetts Avenue, entering light midday traffic. He reached forward and turned a dial on a Philco car radio bolted to the bottom of the dashboard. Jack rolled his eyes as the cab filled with music, and he recognized the song—Jeepers Creepers by Al Donohue, one of the biggest hits of the year.

Jeepers Creepers, where’d ya get those peepers,

Jeepers Creepers, where’d ya get those eyes?

Gosh all git up. How’d they get so lit up,

Gosh all git up. How they get that size?

He did not understand why the song was so popular. The words were dumb and the tune was flat. He rolled down the window and tried to think of something else. The hawkers’ shouts came to mind; several days ago, Germany had invaded Poland, and England and France had both declared war on Germany. It was a big story, but it would not have been his anyway. The St. Louis Herald was not nearly as big as some other nationally known papers, but it did have several reporters totally dedicated to international affairs.

The cab turned abruptly in to the curb and stopped in front of a drab six-story building. The driver turned down the radio. The service ain’t so hot and the elevator’s usually broken, but the rooms are clean, he said. And you’re just a stone’s throw from the stadium.

Jack handed the man fifty cents and grabbed his bag. Thanks a lot, buddy.

He checked into the Saratoga Hotel and the clerk handed him the key to a third floor room. The driver was right; he had to walk up three flights of stairs and carry his own bag. The room was not much larger than the length of its single bed, and it had only one window. But it did have a ceiling fan and it was clean.

Jack had planned to shave and bathe but he was too tired. He removed his jacket and tie, flopped down on the bed with his shoes on, and promptly fell asleep.

***

Jack opened his eyes and contemplated a clear blue sky through the double-arched window, not sure for a moment where he was. Then he saw his suitcase on the floor and gazed around the undersized room until he realized he lay in a Washington hotel room. He turned his eyes to the clock on the bedside table and sat up in surprise; he had been asleep for over twenty hours.

He unpacked and shaved, then dreamed of a big breakfast as he showered. He had brought all three of his suits with him; they were not the most expensive, but they were acceptably fashionable, double breasted with long, broad lapels and square shoulders. He eyed the charcoal, speckled gray, and midnight blue suits, at last choosing the charcoal one. He studied a map of Washington as he dressed.

Suddenly anxious to get going, he left the hotel without eating. He considered getting a taxi but decided to save his money. As he started the half-hour walk to the police station at 371 Pomeroy Street, Jack wondered what he would tell the police. Would he let them know he was Lou’s brother? He decided not to take the chance. He would tell them he was a Washington newspaperman.

Jack had not seen Lou since their mother died. Eight years ago, when Jack was nineteen years old and Lou was only thirteen, their mother had collapsed in a soup line. When the ambulance arrived, they found a pool of blood beneath her. They took her to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The doctors said she had died of bleeding from the uterus. Jack suddenly had some hard choices to make: take custody of his brother or send him to an orphanage. With neither the money nor the know-how to take care of Lou, Jack relinquished custody of his brother. Lou went first to a foster home and later to an orphanage.

Jack pushed those thoughts aside when he found the police station, a red brick building with white columns framing the main entrance. He entered and found a young policeman sitting behind a tall wooden counter, his eyes glued to a magazine. Jack looked at the cover: The Adventures of Dick Tracy, Detective #707. Chuckling, the officer reached for a sandwich, still reading.

Jack cleared his throat. Excuse me, where would I find Homicide?

Second floor, the policeman said without looking up.

Jack found the stairs and climbed them to the second floor, then scanned the doors beyond the landing until he saw the one with Homicide painted on the glass in scratched gold letters. The large room he entered reminded him of the newsroom back at the Herald, with its stale smoke and banging typewriters.

A young police officer sat behind an old wooden counter, scribbling notes on some paper. He looked up. Yeah, how can I do ya? he asked.

"Hi; Jack Haynes, Washington Chronicle. Can I speak to someone about the Lou Harris investigation?"

Have a seat, the officer replied, and picked up a phone.

Within minutes, a middle-aged man with white hair appeared, his pear-shaped form clad in plain clothes. He leaned his elbows on the counter and stared at Jack. Yeah, I’m Lieutenant Warner; what do ya want?

"Hi, Lieutenant. Jack Haynes with the Washington Chronicle. I wanted to ask you if there is anything new with the Lou Harris investigation."

"You’re with the Chronicle? Warner scowled doubtfully at him. How come I never seen you before?"

"Well, I’m new, Lieutenant. New with the Chronicle—not new in the newspaper game. What’s with the Harris murder?"

Lieutenant Warner snickered. Well if you’re new, the first thing you got to learn is that the force isn’t gonna stand on its head for every red bum full of dandruff.

Jack was taken back. What do you mean, red? he asked.

"Harris was a red and they’re always in hot water. Why’s the Chronicle so interested in a red?"

How do you know he was red?

What? You joking? Warner exclaimed. Tell your editor to stop sending boys down here who are wet behind the ears.

Okay, you’re right, Jack quickly replied. He pulled out a pen and a pad of paper. Can you tell me what you know of the murder so far?

Are you kidding me? replied Warner. Ask your friends at the paper.

Jack was not surprised by this remark. Reporters had to establish relationships with the police before they gave away information. But Jack was determined to press on. Like I said, I’m new, Lieutenant. They want to see what I can come up with by myself. Jack winced inwardly at his pathetic response, but it was the only thing that came into his head.

Warner laughed. Ain’t that special. And I’m supposed to help you with your Easter egg hunt? The other officer behind the counter chuckled as well.

Jack’s facial muscles tensed. I’m the bridge between you and the public, Lieutenant. I was sent here for an update on an investigation. Now, what are going to tell the public?

"I never thought I would see the Chronicle go down the toilet," Warner answered.

You got any suspects? Jack pressed.

I suspect everyone, he countered.

Can you at least give me a quick lowdown on what you got so far?

Warner shrugged.

Come on, Lieutenant. I gotta go back with something.

Warner yawned and stretched. Well, you got a red stabbed in the men’s room at Griffith Stadium during a Senators game—broad daylight. Stabbed once in the back. He was alone. No witnesses. Warner took a step back, pointed to the zipper on his pants and chuckled. His fly was open. The red was stabbed in the back when he was pissing!

"You