Shovels the name Dick shovel, private eye. I picked up my ticket right after I was mustered out. Much to the consternation of Detective Sargent Harley, who would rather see me in the can, not out on the streets. As a consequence, he has been after my ticket for the last two years. Our troubles started right after I got out, I kicked the shit out of his 4F son and two of his friends in a bar fight.
I was sitting at my desk cleaning my heater, a beautiful 1911 I had carried through half the Islands in the pacific. I devoted loving attention to the marvelous John Moses Browning invention. I heard someone enter the outer office, then my girl Friday (everyone has to have one) Eve announced A Mrs. Evans.
Mrs. Evans (if that was her name) was one classy dame. She reeked of money but, moreover, she had red full pouty lips, legs all the way up to her ass. And deep penetrating blue eyes that held me transfixed.
It wasn't easy holding a conversation with her, as I couldn't take my eyes off her well-turned calves.
"What can I do for you, doll?"
"First, you can refer to me as Mrs. Evans."
"Sure, doll, I'll take it under advisement; meanwhile, what can I do for you?"
"I don't think I like you, Mr. Shovel."
"That's beside the point; what can I do for you, ahem, Mrs. Evans?"
"My husband is missing; I think he is in hiding; some very bad men are looking for him. They say he has something that is theirs."
"Wouldn't be a little black falcon, would it?" I replied, cracking wise.
She got up to leave; I managed to charm her and get her calmed down. Then we got down to work. You know, when where, how who. I got names, addresses, contacts, potential enemies, and a good description of two goons that came to visit her.
Not much to go on, but one of the goon's descriptions rang a bell. So, I called my favorite flatfoot, my brother-in-law Sgt Jamison at gang division. He gave me a lead on the punk, and I headed off to meet and greet.
Lefty Sullivan had been in the rackets for a long time; he mainly served as muscle. So, I tried the subtle approach.
"Hey, Lefty, who are you working for these days?"
"Fuck off, gumshoe."
I stroked him across the nose with the piece I had just cleaned, which pissed me off. He didn't even see it coming, and the contact felt pretty good. Then, he dropped to the deck and acted like he was having trouble breathing.
"Want to change your answer, Lefty?"