September 25, 2025 • 34 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Leased The Doomsday by Lee Archer. The twins were a
rare team. Indeed, they wanted to build a printing plant
on a garbage dump. When Muldoon asked them why, their
answer was entirely logical, because we live here. It was
the lack of sense in the ad that made him
(00:22):
go back to it again. He was having his breakfast
coffee in the cafeteria next to the Midtown hotel where
he lived. The Classified section of the New York Times
was spread before him. Wanted live wire real estate broker,
No Selling thirty to forty, Room six fifty seven, Silver's Building,
(00:44):
nine to twelve Monday morning. The ad made no sense
for several reasons. One, you just don't go around advertising
for brokers with four pages of them in the Classified
phone book. Two, how can one be a live wire
broker without having to sell? Kevin Muldoon shook his head.
(01:06):
Just no damn sense. The Silver's Building, hmm, not too
far off. He looked at his strap watch. Fifteen minutes
and nine. He could walk it in about that time.
Don't be a fool, he said to himself. It's obviously
a come on of some kind. He got up, paid
(01:26):
the check and went out. It wasn't till he was
on third Avenue that he was conscious he had started
to go cross town when his office was in the
opposite direction. He smiled wryly. Might as well investigate, he thought,
can't do any harm, and it won't take long. There
were four others waiting in the small landing room. The
(01:48):
outer door bore no legend other than the room number,
and the inner door was blank altogether. Muldoon made a
quick appraisal of those waiting. Three were obviously passing middle age,
the fourth about Muldoon's age. The inner door opened and
Muldoon looked up. A tall man came out first, a
(02:08):
man in his early sixties perhaps Immediately behind him came
a slightly shorter man, but very heavy and with a
head that was as bald as a billiard ball. The
older man marched straight to the door, opened it, and
went out without a second look back. The fat man
(02:28):
looked around, his face beaming in a wide smile, eyes
almost closed behind fleshy lids. And now who's next, he asked.
The one who was about Muldoon's age stepped forward. The
fat man motioned for the other to precede him. The
door closed. Not more than a minute went by, and
(02:50):
the door opened again, and the same act as before
with the older man was gone through. And now who's next,
the fat man asked. Muldoon noted, even the inflection was
the same. So it went with the three who were left,
until it was muldoonstern, And now there were six others
(03:11):
beside himself, also waiting to be interviewed. It was a
squareish room, simply furnished, with a couple of desks set
side by side, with a narrow space between them. A
chair was set up facing the desk, obviously meant for
the one to be interviewed. Seated behind one of the
desks was the twin of the man now coming to
(03:33):
seat himself at the other desk. Their smiles were identical
as they waited for Muldoon to make himself comfortable. For
a moment, there was a blank silence. Muldoon studied them,
and they, smiling, still studied him. Muldoon broke the silence.
(03:54):
You know, Muldoon said, your ad didn't make sense to me.
The twins hunched forward slightly at their desks, their eyes
brightened in antespation. No, said the one who had been
waiting for Muldoon. Why with some four pages of brokers
(04:15):
in the classified directory, you don't have to advertise for one,
and a live wire broker gets that reputation as a
salesman without selling the wire is dead. The twins beamed
at each other. Evan said, the one to the left,
I think we've found our man. Will you go out
and tell those waiting They waited for the twin to return.
(04:39):
I am Robert Riger, my brother, Evan said the first twin.
Mauldoon introduced himself. There was no hand shaking. You are
right about the ad, Robert Riger said. We worded it
that way for a reason. We wanted a man of
quick intelligence. Mind you, now we do want a broke
(05:00):
and the one who will do no selling the live
wire part was my brother. Evans thought, he does sometimes
have clever ideas Robert stopped to beam at his twin.
Just now, Robert returned to Muldoon. I won't go into
full discussion of our plans. Briefly, however, we are buyers,
(05:21):
buyers we hope of a particular area. Because of what
we have in mind to do, we would rather it
was done quietly and without any publicity. Had we engaged
the services of a large agency. This would not be possible,
for if I may coin a phrase, the trumpet must
blow strongly to announce the coming of genius. He smiled,
(05:43):
stroked his chin, looked up the ceiling, and his lips
moved silently, as if he enjoyed repeating the phrase, I
like that. Robert Evan said, yes, I thought it was good,
Robert said. They both looked to Muldoon. Oldoon said nothing.
The twins sighed audibly in unison. Robert's lips came forward
(06:07):
in a pout, the look of a pouting cherum. Muldoon
thought one trying to look stern, and only succeeding in
looking naughty, childish. Muldoon suddenly knew of whom the twins
reminded him twin Charles Lawton's without hair. You are free
to work for us, Robert asked, with you, Muldoon said,
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I have the license. He gave them a quick smile,
as if to lessen the sharpness of the tone. He
had used a broker acts for a client in the
purchase or sale of property. He can't be employed by them,
of course, Robert said quickly. I did not mean to
imply any other action. Now, suppose you tell us briefly
(06:52):
about yourself. Muldoon gave them a thumbnail sketch of his career.
He noted, there pleased look that he was a one
man agency. At the conclusion, Robert stood up and came
around the desk. He thrust a hand at Muldoon, like
shaking hands with a piece of warm dough. Muldoon thought,
(07:14):
I do believe. Robert said, as he placed a heavy
arm around Muldoon's shoulder and walked into the door, that
we shall have a mutually happy relationship. You will not
be unrewarded money wise. He opened the door, paused still
with his arm around Muldoon, and looked steadily into Muldoon's eyes. Yes,
(07:34):
I think there will be mutual benefits in our relationship. Now,
in conclusion, will you pick us up at this office
tomorrow morning at nine. Muldoon nodded. Good. Then by now,
mister Muldoon, and thanks so much for coming by in
answer to our ad The answer to an irritating thought
(07:54):
came to Muldoon while he was waiting for an elevator
to take him to the ground floor. He knew where
he had seen the same kind of look as was
in Robert Rieger's eyes when they had parted, in the
eyes of a cat. Muldoon had once seen toying with
a mouse the cat had caught. Dina Savory was a redhead,
(08:15):
a green eyed redhead with a kind of patrician look
about her face that came off very well in the
photographs they took of her. Dina was a model and
made three times the money Kevin Muldoon made. It had
always been a sore point between them, and more than
once the reason for their worst quarrels. She was also
(08:35):
the worst cook in New York. Monday evenings were spent
in Dina's small apartment on East fifty sixth Street, and
she usually cooked dinner for Muldoon. Invariably it was staked.
Dina had no imagination when it came to food. Even
in restaurants, she ordered one or another kind of steak.
(08:59):
They were together on the couch. She stretched full length
her head in Muldoon's lap. He was telling her about
the Reager twins and what had happened that morning. His
hands caissed her lightly as she spoke, now across her cheeks.
Now more intimately, I don't dig them, honey, he said,
as if in recapitulation the Robert twin, for instance, you
(09:22):
will not be unrewarded money wise, Madison Avenue and nineteenth
century English. She gently took his hand from where he
seemed to find most comfort and put it to her cheek.
What's the difference, she asked, So long as there's money
in it, broker's commission, he said, no more or less.
(09:42):
You've been getting so much of that lately. No, okay,
then stop fighting it. What do you care what kind
of English they use or whether they use sign language?
The buck kid, the buck, Dina Muldoon said gravely, you
have the grubbing soul of a pawnbroker or real estate broker,
(10:05):
he added, he bent his head and kissed her lips.
Her lips opened to his with that familiar warmth, a
hunger for him, which never failed to thrill. This time.
She did not remove his hand when it returned heavy. Baby, darling,
Oh my darling, she whispered. Strange He thought that at
(10:27):
a moment like this, I should be thinking of those
fat twins. Muldoon hated the pirate prices of midtown parking lots,
and so was late. It had taken him ten minutes
to find parking space for the Plymouth. As he started
to open the door of room six fifty seven, he
(10:48):
heard the voice of one of the twins. The words
or sounds were in a language completely foreign to him.
He thought to knock, but changed his mind. To knock
would have made it obvious he had been listening. He
barged right in. The twins were in the ante room.
Muldoon got the impression that they knew he had heard them,
and an even stronger impression that the fact was of
(11:10):
no importance. That bothered him for some reason. Ah, there
you are, the twin of the left, said Evan was
wondering whether you would show up. But I told him
he was putting himself to useless aggravation. That damn mixed
up phrasing again, Muldoon thought. Took a little time to
find parking space. He said, shall we be off? Then
(11:32):
Robert asked, all right with me? Muldoon replied, there was
another odd thing. Evan riger seemed to have so very
little to say. Their destination was a place halfway down
the island. Muldoon's brow had lifted when they gave him
the area so far as he knew there hadn't been
any development in the area. It was just a bit
(11:54):
too far off the highways and rail lines for housing developments,
and even more badly located for industrial requirements. He wondered
what the devil they had in mind out there. Traffic
was light and the drive took little more than an
hour and a half on the main highway at another
fifteen minutes of blacktop side road before Evan told him
(12:15):
to turn leftier onto a rutted path off the blacktop.
The path led through some scrub growth that ended on
the edge of an acre or so of dump. Heat
rusted heaps of broken cars were scattered about. A foul
odor came from the left, as though garbage too had
been dumped and left the rut. It was a flat,
one storied wooden shack close by to which Evan directed
(12:39):
him to drive up to. Evan produced a key and
opened the door to the shack. There was a petition
separating the place neatly into two sections. There were a
couple of straight backed wooden chairs and a leather sofa
in the near room. The door to the other room
was closed. Sit down Muldoon Robert Rieger said he waited
(13:00):
for Muldoon to make himself comfortable on the sofa, then continued,
first time we've ever been out here during the day.
But Evin's sense of direction is unfailing. He shook his head,
smiled brightly. Ah, well, we must each have some factor
to make for validity of existence. Eh I don't follow,
Muldoon said, no, madam, Now to the business at hand.
(13:23):
I wanted you to see the area involved, Evan the
plot plan please. To Muldoon's surprise, Evan Riager went into
the next room and returned after a moment with a
plot plant of the lower third of the island. He
gave it to Muldoon, who spread it at his feet.
That red pencil area I've marked off, Robert Rieger said,
(13:44):
is what will be concerned with. As you notice the
dump and this shack are at the approximate center. What
I have in mind to do is buy all the
land in this marked off area. Buy it. You seem surprised.
Shocked would be the better word. Have you any idea
what this could cost? You've marked off an area of
(14:07):
approximately a square mile even out here, that would run
into millions. And once news got around that some one
was buying parcels this size, well, you'd have more publicity
than you might want about the cost. We won't worry.
There will be enough money. But the attendant publicity could
mean not being able to get the land we want.
(14:27):
Is that correct? Could be? Suppose we get options or
leases on these pieces. That was a good phrase, Evan
broke in unexpectedly. Don't you think so, Robert? Yes, Robert
said sharply. He seemed to have suddenly lost his smile.
He gave Evan a hard look from under down drawn brows.
(14:48):
He turned to Muldoon. We are renting this, this tumble
down structure, a to year lease. Hm. I see your point.
Spending millions in a sudden buying move would make un
needed difficulties. No options to buy, but lease for the present, Evan,
the list of names please. Evan didn't have to go
(15:09):
anywhere for the list, he had it with him. Muldoon
looked it over. There were thirty three names, including the
county and state. Well, Robert said, I'll have to know
what you want to lease it for the name or
names of corporations and so forth. Will my own name do?
They will? But you can go into county court and
(15:30):
register a business name under your own what they call
a DBA name doing business as name. Register as many
as you wish, doesn't cost a great deal, or form
a corporation you and your brother. Now, let the leases
come under my own name. As for what I intend doing, well,
I intend to concrete surface the entire area, a square
(15:55):
mile of concrete. Yes, there's a government plan to use
this and of the island for a huge missile depot.
They will have to come to me rip t shrewd.
Muldoon thought, that is if it's true. All right, Muldoon said,
when do you want me to start right now? That
(16:17):
was one reason for bringing you out here. Evan, will
you get the briefcase please? Once more, Avan Reager went
into the other room and closed the door carefully behind him.
When he came out, he handed the briefcase to Muldoon.
You may open it, Robert said. Muldoon's fingers became suddenly nerveless,
(16:37):
and he dropped the briefcase. It was crammed with money
packets of one hundred dollars bills. There are fifty packets
of one hundred dollar bills totaling a million dollars. Robert said,
what the hell did you want me to do carry
the case around with me? Mauldone asked, no, it will
remain here. I merely wanted to show you I will
(16:57):
be able to stand behind any price you may have
to meet. From now on. Report here, no matter what time,
and since time has a definite value in this matter,
do not stand upon it. I like that, Heaven said suddenly.
That was good. Robert Muldoon nodded. Heaven had a value too,
the same value any yes man has. But it bothered Muldoon.
(17:22):
This just wasn't the way of twins, at least none
he knew. Well. One thing was certain. The riggers had
the ready cash. This may take some time, Muldoon said, weeks, certainly,
maybe months. The county and state alone, we don't have
that much time. Robert broke in, Evan must return in
(17:42):
ten days. Return where Muldoon asked, It was as if
Robert hadn't heard. The state and county properties are small
areas and on the very edge. Suppose we forget about
them for the time being. Work on the private parties.
Anything you say, but it may still take weeks. Then
(18:03):
don't quibble. Lease at any price. If a show of
cash is necessary let me know now, I think you'd
better start. Good luck, Muldoon. It was Wednesday night before
Muldoon saw Dina Savory again, nor had he seen the
Rigger twins since leaving them Monday morning. Dina and Muldoon's
(18:23):
seldom saw each other during the middle of the week.
They were her busy days and she needed the nights
for complete rest. But he had called her and asked
to see her. They were at dinner in a small
Italian place close to her apartment. He had briefly brought
her up to date on what had happened since she
had seen him last, and was at the moment finishing
the last of the ladsagna. He had ordered their phonies, Honey,
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real phonies, he said, I'll bet my last buck on that.
She was looking at the last piece of steak on
her plate with an almost defiant gesture. She speared it
and put it in her mouth. At a girl, he said,
by your own business, She said, how do you mean
their phonies? I spent all Monday investigating him. A fine
(19:08):
way to make a dollar, She said, what do you
care who they are? He gave her a knowing smile.
That's my fat headed girl. Liked to visit me in
a nice jail, wouldn't you one with a prestige address.
Of course, let me tell you. They'd rented that shack
and the dump heap next to it for a pretty
fancy figure. Robert Reeger said they were going to do
(19:30):
printing in that shack. They paid in full for the
two years rental in nice crisp hundred dollar bills. I
get it. They were phony, she exulted. How can you
be so stupid? I know for you it's easy. Of course,
the bills were genuine. But the printing business, what were
(19:51):
they going to print with typewriters? Another thing? There's no
business record I could find in them. They're not listed.
So how did they get a million dollars? And Robert said,
more report here, No matter what the time, I don't
get it. I drove them out. There was no garage,
no car I could see, and the place is miles
(20:12):
from food. How do they live out there? Maybe they
have friends who picked them up, Dinas said, maybe. Robert
said there was a rumor or something about the government
going to use the area for a missile depo. I
tried to run it down nothing, which proves nothing. She said, true,
but I couldn't even smell smoke. Now the whole thing
(20:34):
just smells bad. So I think I'm going back there
and tell them to forget it. Oh, don't be an idiot,
she said. This is your big chance to make some
real money, get a reputation, and because you're chicken, you're
going to throw it up. I won't get into anything crooked.
His voice rose. The way you're thinking you couldn't follow
(20:56):
a straight line. They can't draw a straight line. Well,
you'd do what you want. Only the next time I
have to pay for a dinner, don't give me that
murdered look. Okay, okay, what do you want for Dessertspomoni?
After this by carbon it very funny, and for the
first time in several years, she did not kiss him
(21:18):
good night. When they parted, he turned off the black
top and started down the rutted path. He switched the
headlights off about half way to the shack and parked
it a hundred or so yards away from it and
walked the rest. The shack was dark. Instead of knocking,
Muldoon walked around to the back and peered through the
single window at the rear. He could see nothing now
(21:42):
isn't this just dandy, he thought, Drive all the way
out here and nobody's at home. Damn. He went around
to the front and started back to the car. His
attention was caught by a greenish glow of light from
the far end of the dump peep. His curiosity aroused.
Mulled June warily made his way through the metal litter
(22:02):
until he was close enough to make out the source
of the light. It came from the center of a
shallow area that had been cleared of rubble. A rusted,
misshapen mass of metal lay in the center of the
cleared space. The greenish glow was coming from an opening
in the mass. Muldoon crept closer until he was able
to make out details, not too many, but enough to
(22:26):
give him an idea of the size and general shape
of the thing. But what really held him were the
figures of Robert and Evan Rieger. He saw them quite distinctly.
One of the twins was bent over a machine of
some sort. There were levers, gears, and rollers mounted on
(22:47):
a web platform no larger than a rather oversized typewriter.
Muldoon's eyes went wide at the sight of the Greenbacks
coming in a steady stream from the interior of the
machine and falling into a box at the side. He
could see very little else that was in the room
other than the brother of the twin at the machine.
(23:08):
He was on the far side of it, fiddling with
something hidden. Muldoon stared in fascination for another minute, then
carefully made his way back to the car. He had
parked it within the growth of scrub trees and bushes.
He started it, turned the headlights on, and drove slowly
out into the open and up to the shack. He
(23:29):
hunked his horn loudly a couple of times and got
out of the car and walked up to the shack
and tried the door. It was closed. Presently, the figures
of Evan and Robert Rieger came into view from the
direction of the dump. Peap Muldoon's figure was outlined in
the glow of the headlights. Muldoon noticed the briefcase one
(23:49):
of them was carrying. Ah there Muldoon. Muldoon had recognized
Robert's voice. Hello, mister Rigger. Thought i'd come by and
let you know how I've been doing. Evan, who was
carrying the briefcase, unlocked the door and switched on the light.
The other two followed him into the room. Robert Riger
motioned for Muldoon to take the sofa. Evan went into
(24:12):
the other room. Well, my boy, Robert said, heartily. How
is it going slowly? Muldoon said casually, But the first
of this sort of operation has to go that way,
kind of feel things out, if you know what I mean.
Of course, how does it look? I think it's going
to go all right. I've got plans splendid. Do you
(24:34):
need money? Yes, about ten thousand, Evan, do bring the
case out, Robert called loudly. In a couple of seconds,
Avan Riager appeared. He brought the briefcase to his brother,
turned and went back into the other room without saying anything.
He walked slowly and stiffly, his feet slapping heavily on
(24:55):
the bare floors. What's wrong with him, Muldoon asked Robert.
Re was pulling money from the briefcase. He looked up
with an expressionless face. Nothing, you said, ten thousand? Yes,
Riger passed two of the packets to Muldoon. Sure you
won't need more. Muldoon put the money away, got up
(25:16):
from the sofa and started to the door. No just
what I need. I'll see you Friday night. Fine, and
don't forget. We must get all this done quickly. I
won't forget. Robert Reeger waited till the sound of the
plymouth was no longer heard. Then he went into the
other room. Other than for two army cots, the room
(25:38):
was empty. Evan was stretched full length on one of
the cuts. You're certain he knows, Evan asked, yes, I
saw him on the visio, but he could see all
the interior. Now just a duplicating machine. We must get
rid of it tonight. What do you think he will do?
What Kenny do? He knows nothing. Money is genuine, and
(26:01):
with the destruction of the machine he can't prove anything. Nevertheless,
it might be the wisest course to get rid of him.
We might have been too clever with that advertisement. Possibly,
but we must move quickly. Then. I must leave this
planet in seven days now, and we must have this
area under lease by them three mus Robert smiled thinly.
(26:27):
We will, if not through Muldoon, then through another. Means,
when you return in a year with the space fleet,
you will find the landing area we need. And after that,
they smiled at each other we said we would not fail.
This planet will fall to our weapons like ripe fruit
from a tree. But first I must return to tell them,
(26:50):
Evan said. And if I do not return, they will
know we have failed and will seek another planet. We
won't fail, Robert reiterated. Right now, let's get back to
the spaceship and the duplicating machine. Muldoon spent a busy Thursday.
A newsbreeth in the Times Financial section, which told of
(27:12):
a public utility wanting island property, gave him an idea
for one thing. He spent all morning bringing the idea
to a head after he had verified the truth of
the item. Then, after a late lunch, he went to
the Treasury Department's headquarters and spent a couple of hours
with the head of the local investigation department. He was
(27:34):
quite pleased with himself by nightfall as he headed out
to the island. This time he parked the car at
a considerable distance from the shack. There were lights on
this night. He walked boldly up and knocked at the door.
It opened wide, and the thick figure of one of
the twins darkened the opening. Well, mister Muldoon, I did
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not think to see you till Friday. I thought i'd
come and see you tonight, al Dune said, as he
stepped into the room. I didn't hear the car. Oh
parked it back a bit, Muldoon said. He turned toward
the other twin as the inner door opened. Hello, Hello,
you know Evan, Robert said, I'm rather glad Muldoon stopped
(28:15):
by tonight. We might as well conclude our business with
him now. An excellent idea, Robert, excellent. What do you mean,
Muldoon asked, I no longer am acting for you, not
for us, for yourself. I'm afraid your services in any
capacity will no longer be needed. Muldoon caught the undercurrent
(28:38):
of menace in Robert's voice. It told them they were
not only suspicious, but ready to act on it. He
started to edge toward the door, but Robert suddenly reached
out and took his arm. There was power in the
fat man's gript. Evan moved swiftly for his size and
took up a position before the door, which he kicked shut.
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Muldoon twisted sharp and was free of the other's grip.
He stepped back a couple of faces. What the hell's
this all about? Come? Now, Muldoon, Robert said softly. You
didn't think you're prying when unobserved last night, so I
was nosy. But what's this rough stuff you're trying to pull?
Merely making sure your curiosity will end tonight? Muldoon took
(29:25):
a couple of more retreating faces. You mean you're going
to get rid of me? Well, maybe you will and
maybe you won't. But even if you do, smile broke
through the grim lips of the twin, threatening Muldoon. You
mean the duplicating machine just another piece of rusted scrap
among the rest of the junk. Muldoon paled the evidence
(29:48):
he was going to need gone, And of course the
money is genuine. We made sure of it, ink paper,
everything we made sure of it long ago. Be a
pity you won't be here to see how he fished,
we can really be, But the rest of the planet
will know as soon as Evan returns. Muldoon's mind was
(30:10):
working swiftly. You got rid of the machine, But what
about the junk shop that was in. I'll bet there
are more important things there. Indeed there are. No one
will find him. It will be just another rusted piece
of large junk to them. It was then that Muldoon
made his move. He lashed out with a fist. The
(30:30):
blow staggered Robert, and Muldoon was crashing his shoulder against
the inner door. It burst inward, but before he could
get through, Robert grabbed him. The whole side of Muldoon's
face went numb as Robert crashed his fist against his jaw.
Muldoon knew he didn't stand a chance in a straight
up fight, not with these two. Robert's hands were reaching
(30:52):
for him now. Muldoon grabbed one of his hands with
both of his twisted outward as he grasped two fingers
in each hand. Robert's face went putty gray as the
bones snapped. Muldoon no longer cared about fair play. His
knee came up where it could do the most damage,
and Robert sank, groveling to the floor. Muldoon whirled too late.
(31:16):
The world exploded in a thousand flashes of pain filled lights.
He went crashing backward into the wall. Avan hit him
again before he stumbled blindly away from the terrible fist.
Let me tell him, Robert groaned. Muldoon pulled himself up
from the pain filled world. He had been sent into
There seemed to be two Evans facing him, then there
(31:38):
was only one. A twisted grin came to Muldoon's lips.
Come ahead, you rat, he mumbled. Evan came forward and
swift as an adder. Muldoon kicked him just below the knee.
Cap Avan screamed and collapsed. Muldoon staggered out of the
way of the falling body, only to fall into the
clutches of Robert's sudden reaching fingers. He fell to the floor.
(32:01):
Robert tried to get his good hand up to Muldoon's throat.
Muldoon beat at the thick face with both hands, but
the other seemed not to feel the pounding fists. Slowly
the fingers managed to reach their goal. Muldoon felt the
darkness of death closing over him as his breath became
a tortured, dying gasp. His hand found Robert's face came
gently over it until his thumb pressed on one eyeball,
(32:24):
and Robert screamed as the thumb became a hooked instrument
to blind him. Muldoon rolled away from the other, staggered
somehow erect, but he knew his strength was gone. He
couldn't make it to the door, and now Evan had
him and the door burst open and men poured into
the room. Muldoon recognized only one, the head of the
(32:44):
Treasury's investigation department, before he blacked out. Dina Savory stroked
his forehead gently. Does it hurt much? Baby? The nurse
had left them alone when Dina came into the hospital room. Now,
Muldoon said, what are they going to do to those men?
She asked, oh, twenty years. According to Phillips, counterfeiting, you know,
(33:09):
carries heavy penalties. But I thought the money was good.
After all, they had paid rent with C notes. A
slip up on the bank's part. You see, they made
one mistake the machine. They had turned out perfect bills,
everyone with the same serial number. Dina's eyes widened, and
(33:31):
the junk shop or whatever it was, she said, I
thought I'd let well enough alone. You see. I took
care of that during the day. The twins, being criminals,
had automatically broken their lease. They also made it possible
for me to change clients. Well as going to be
a huge tank covering that dump and shack a tank
(33:51):
holding an awful lot of natural gas. I got together
with the owner of the property and the utility people
yesterday afternoon and worked out a deal. They're going to
dump all that junk into the ocean. I'm sorry about
the other night, she said. Suddenly, Is that how you
say you're sorry? He asked, Uh huh, she said, as
(34:14):
he reached for her. There's a time and place for
that promise. Her lips agreed. This is the end of lease.
The Doomsday by Lee Archer
Leased The Doomsday by Lee Archer. The twins were a
rare team. Indeed, they wanted to build a printing plant
on a garbage dump. When Muldoon asked them why, their
answer was entirely logical, because we live here. It was
the lack of sense in the ad that made him
(00:22):
go back to it again. He was having his breakfast
coffee in the cafeteria next to the Midtown hotel where
he lived. The Classified section of the New York Times
was spread before him. Wanted live wire real estate broker,
No Selling thirty to forty, Room six fifty seven, Silver's Building,
(00:44):
nine to twelve Monday morning. The ad made no sense
for several reasons. One, you just don't go around advertising
for brokers with four pages of them in the Classified
phone book. Two, how can one be a live wire
broker without having to sell? Kevin Muldoon shook his head.
(01:06):
Just no damn sense. The Silver's Building, hmm, not too
far off. He looked at his strap watch. Fifteen minutes
and nine. He could walk it in about that time.
Don't be a fool, he said to himself. It's obviously
a come on of some kind. He got up, paid
(01:26):
the check and went out. It wasn't till he was
on third Avenue that he was conscious he had started
to go cross town when his office was in the
opposite direction. He smiled wryly. Might as well investigate, he thought,
can't do any harm, and it won't take long. There
were four others waiting in the small landing room. The
(01:48):
outer door bore no legend other than the room number,
and the inner door was blank altogether. Muldoon made a
quick appraisal of those waiting. Three were obviously passing middle age,
the fourth about Muldoon's age. The inner door opened and
Muldoon looked up. A tall man came out first, a
(02:08):
man in his early sixties perhaps Immediately behind him came
a slightly shorter man, but very heavy and with a
head that was as bald as a billiard ball. The
older man marched straight to the door, opened it, and
went out without a second look back. The fat man
(02:28):
looked around, his face beaming in a wide smile, eyes
almost closed behind fleshy lids. And now who's next, he asked.
The one who was about Muldoon's age stepped forward. The
fat man motioned for the other to precede him. The
door closed. Not more than a minute went by, and
(02:50):
the door opened again, and the same act as before
with the older man was gone through. And now who's next,
the fat man asked. Muldoon noted, even the inflection was
the same. So it went with the three who were left,
until it was muldoonstern, And now there were six others
(03:11):
beside himself, also waiting to be interviewed. It was a
squareish room, simply furnished, with a couple of desks set
side by side, with a narrow space between them. A
chair was set up facing the desk, obviously meant for
the one to be interviewed. Seated behind one of the
desks was the twin of the man now coming to
(03:33):
seat himself at the other desk. Their smiles were identical
as they waited for Muldoon to make himself comfortable. For
a moment, there was a blank silence. Muldoon studied them,
and they, smiling, still studied him. Muldoon broke the silence.
(03:54):
You know, Muldoon said, your ad didn't make sense to me.
The twins hunched forward slightly at their desks, their eyes
brightened in antespation. No, said the one who had been
waiting for Muldoon. Why with some four pages of brokers
(04:15):
in the classified directory, you don't have to advertise for one,
and a live wire broker gets that reputation as a
salesman without selling the wire is dead. The twins beamed
at each other. Evan said, the one to the left,
I think we've found our man. Will you go out
and tell those waiting They waited for the twin to return.
(04:39):
I am Robert Riger, my brother, Evan said the first twin.
Mauldoon introduced himself. There was no hand shaking. You are
right about the ad, Robert Riger said. We worded it
that way for a reason. We wanted a man of
quick intelligence. Mind you, now we do want a broke
(05:00):
and the one who will do no selling the live
wire part was my brother. Evans thought, he does sometimes
have clever ideas Robert stopped to beam at his twin.
Just now, Robert returned to Muldoon. I won't go into
full discussion of our plans. Briefly, however, we are buyers,
(05:21):
buyers we hope of a particular area. Because of what
we have in mind to do, we would rather it
was done quietly and without any publicity. Had we engaged
the services of a large agency. This would not be possible,
for if I may coin a phrase, the trumpet must
blow strongly to announce the coming of genius. He smiled,
(05:43):
stroked his chin, looked up the ceiling, and his lips
moved silently, as if he enjoyed repeating the phrase, I
like that. Robert Evan said, yes, I thought it was good,
Robert said. They both looked to Muldoon. Oldoon said nothing.
The twins sighed audibly in unison. Robert's lips came forward
(06:07):
in a pout, the look of a pouting cherum. Muldoon
thought one trying to look stern, and only succeeding in
looking naughty, childish. Muldoon suddenly knew of whom the twins
reminded him twin Charles Lawton's without hair. You are free
to work for us, Robert asked, with you, Muldoon said,
(06:32):
I have the license. He gave them a quick smile,
as if to lessen the sharpness of the tone. He
had used a broker acts for a client in the
purchase or sale of property. He can't be employed by them,
of course, Robert said quickly. I did not mean to
imply any other action. Now, suppose you tell us briefly
(06:52):
about yourself. Muldoon gave them a thumbnail sketch of his career.
He noted, there pleased look that he was a one
man agency. At the conclusion, Robert stood up and came
around the desk. He thrust a hand at Muldoon, like
shaking hands with a piece of warm dough. Muldoon thought,
(07:14):
I do believe. Robert said, as he placed a heavy
arm around Muldoon's shoulder and walked into the door, that
we shall have a mutually happy relationship. You will not
be unrewarded money wise. He opened the door, paused still
with his arm around Muldoon, and looked steadily into Muldoon's eyes. Yes,
(07:34):
I think there will be mutual benefits in our relationship. Now,
in conclusion, will you pick us up at this office
tomorrow morning at nine. Muldoon nodded. Good. Then by now,
mister Muldoon, and thanks so much for coming by in
answer to our ad The answer to an irritating thought
(07:54):
came to Muldoon while he was waiting for an elevator
to take him to the ground floor. He knew where
he had seen the same kind of look as was
in Robert Rieger's eyes when they had parted, in the
eyes of a cat. Muldoon had once seen toying with
a mouse the cat had caught. Dina Savory was a redhead,
(08:15):
a green eyed redhead with a kind of patrician look
about her face that came off very well in the
photographs they took of her. Dina was a model and
made three times the money Kevin Muldoon made. It had
always been a sore point between them, and more than
once the reason for their worst quarrels. She was also
(08:35):
the worst cook in New York. Monday evenings were spent
in Dina's small apartment on East fifty sixth Street, and
she usually cooked dinner for Muldoon. Invariably it was staked.
Dina had no imagination when it came to food. Even
in restaurants, she ordered one or another kind of steak.
(08:59):
They were together on the couch. She stretched full length
her head in Muldoon's lap. He was telling her about
the Reager twins and what had happened that morning. His
hands caissed her lightly as she spoke, now across her cheeks.
Now more intimately, I don't dig them, honey, he said,
as if in recapitulation the Robert twin, for instance, you
(09:22):
will not be unrewarded money wise, Madison Avenue and nineteenth
century English. She gently took his hand from where he
seemed to find most comfort and put it to her cheek.
What's the difference, she asked, So long as there's money
in it, broker's commission, he said, no more or less.
(09:42):
You've been getting so much of that lately. No, okay,
then stop fighting it. What do you care what kind
of English they use or whether they use sign language?
The buck kid, the buck, Dina Muldoon said gravely, you
have the grubbing soul of a pawnbroker or real estate broker,
(10:05):
he added, he bent his head and kissed her lips.
Her lips opened to his with that familiar warmth, a
hunger for him, which never failed to thrill. This time.
She did not remove his hand when it returned heavy. Baby, darling,
Oh my darling, she whispered. Strange He thought that at
(10:27):
a moment like this, I should be thinking of those
fat twins. Muldoon hated the pirate prices of midtown parking lots,
and so was late. It had taken him ten minutes
to find parking space for the Plymouth. As he started
to open the door of room six fifty seven, he
(10:48):
heard the voice of one of the twins. The words
or sounds were in a language completely foreign to him.
He thought to knock, but changed his mind. To knock
would have made it obvious he had been listening. He
barged right in. The twins were in the ante room.
Muldoon got the impression that they knew he had heard them,
and an even stronger impression that the fact was of
(11:10):
no importance. That bothered him for some reason. Ah, there
you are, the twin of the left, said Evan was
wondering whether you would show up. But I told him
he was putting himself to useless aggravation. That damn mixed
up phrasing again, Muldoon thought. Took a little time to
find parking space. He said, shall we be off? Then
(11:32):
Robert asked, all right with me? Muldoon replied, there was
another odd thing. Evan riger seemed to have so very
little to say. Their destination was a place halfway down
the island. Muldoon's brow had lifted when they gave him
the area so far as he knew there hadn't been
any development in the area. It was just a bit
(11:54):
too far off the highways and rail lines for housing developments,
and even more badly located for industrial requirements. He wondered
what the devil they had in mind out there. Traffic
was light and the drive took little more than an
hour and a half on the main highway at another
fifteen minutes of blacktop side road before Evan told him
(12:15):
to turn leftier onto a rutted path off the blacktop.
The path led through some scrub growth that ended on
the edge of an acre or so of dump. Heat
rusted heaps of broken cars were scattered about. A foul
odor came from the left, as though garbage too had
been dumped and left the rut. It was a flat,
one storied wooden shack close by to which Evan directed
(12:39):
him to drive up to. Evan produced a key and
opened the door to the shack. There was a petition
separating the place neatly into two sections. There were a
couple of straight backed wooden chairs and a leather sofa
in the near room. The door to the other room
was closed. Sit down Muldoon Robert Rieger said he waited
(13:00):
for Muldoon to make himself comfortable on the sofa, then continued,
first time we've ever been out here during the day.
But Evin's sense of direction is unfailing. He shook his head,
smiled brightly. Ah, well, we must each have some factor
to make for validity of existence. Eh I don't follow,
Muldoon said, no, madam, Now to the business at hand.
(13:23):
I wanted you to see the area involved, Evan the
plot plan please. To Muldoon's surprise, Evan Riager went into
the next room and returned after a moment with a
plot plant of the lower third of the island. He
gave it to Muldoon, who spread it at his feet.
That red pencil area I've marked off, Robert Rieger said,
(13:44):
is what will be concerned with. As you notice the
dump and this shack are at the approximate center. What
I have in mind to do is buy all the
land in this marked off area. Buy it. You seem surprised.
Shocked would be the better word. Have you any idea
what this could cost? You've marked off an area of
(14:07):
approximately a square mile even out here, that would run
into millions. And once news got around that some one
was buying parcels this size, well, you'd have more publicity
than you might want about the cost. We won't worry.
There will be enough money. But the attendant publicity could
mean not being able to get the land we want.
(14:27):
Is that correct? Could be? Suppose we get options or
leases on these pieces. That was a good phrase, Evan
broke in unexpectedly. Don't you think so, Robert? Yes, Robert
said sharply. He seemed to have suddenly lost his smile.
He gave Evan a hard look from under down drawn brows.
(14:48):
He turned to Muldoon. We are renting this, this tumble
down structure, a to year lease. Hm. I see your point.
Spending millions in a sudden buying move would make un
needed difficulties. No options to buy, but lease for the present, Evan,
the list of names please. Evan didn't have to go
(15:09):
anywhere for the list, he had it with him. Muldoon
looked it over. There were thirty three names, including the
county and state. Well, Robert said, I'll have to know
what you want to lease it for the name or
names of corporations and so forth. Will my own name do?
They will? But you can go into county court and
(15:30):
register a business name under your own what they call
a DBA name doing business as name. Register as many
as you wish, doesn't cost a great deal, or form
a corporation you and your brother. Now, let the leases
come under my own name. As for what I intend doing, well,
I intend to concrete surface the entire area, a square
(15:55):
mile of concrete. Yes, there's a government plan to use
this and of the island for a huge missile depot.
They will have to come to me rip t shrewd.
Muldoon thought, that is if it's true. All right, Muldoon said,
when do you want me to start right now? That
(16:17):
was one reason for bringing you out here. Evan, will
you get the briefcase please? Once more, Avan Reager went
into the other room and closed the door carefully behind him.
When he came out, he handed the briefcase to Muldoon.
You may open it, Robert said. Muldoon's fingers became suddenly nerveless,
(16:37):
and he dropped the briefcase. It was crammed with money
packets of one hundred dollars bills. There are fifty packets
of one hundred dollar bills totaling a million dollars. Robert said,
what the hell did you want me to do carry
the case around with me? Mauldone asked, no, it will
remain here. I merely wanted to show you I will
(16:57):
be able to stand behind any price you may have
to meet. From now on. Report here, no matter what time,
and since time has a definite value in this matter,
do not stand upon it. I like that, Heaven said suddenly.
That was good. Robert Muldoon nodded. Heaven had a value too,
the same value any yes man has. But it bothered Muldoon.
(17:22):
This just wasn't the way of twins, at least none
he knew. Well. One thing was certain. The riggers had
the ready cash. This may take some time, Muldoon said, weeks, certainly,
maybe months. The county and state alone, we don't have
that much time. Robert broke in, Evan must return in
(17:42):
ten days. Return where Muldoon asked, It was as if
Robert hadn't heard. The state and county properties are small
areas and on the very edge. Suppose we forget about
them for the time being. Work on the private parties.
Anything you say, but it may still take weeks. Then
(18:03):
don't quibble. Lease at any price. If a show of
cash is necessary let me know now, I think you'd
better start. Good luck, Muldoon. It was Wednesday night before
Muldoon saw Dina Savory again, nor had he seen the
Rigger twins since leaving them Monday morning. Dina and Muldoon's
(18:23):
seldom saw each other during the middle of the week.
They were her busy days and she needed the nights
for complete rest. But he had called her and asked
to see her. They were at dinner in a small
Italian place close to her apartment. He had briefly brought
her up to date on what had happened since she
had seen him last, and was at the moment finishing
the last of the ladsagna. He had ordered their phonies, Honey,
(18:47):
real phonies, he said, I'll bet my last buck on that.
She was looking at the last piece of steak on
her plate with an almost defiant gesture. She speared it
and put it in her mouth. At a girl, he said,
by your own business, She said, how do you mean
their phonies? I spent all Monday investigating him. A fine
(19:08):
way to make a dollar, She said, what do you
care who they are? He gave her a knowing smile.
That's my fat headed girl. Liked to visit me in
a nice jail, wouldn't you one with a prestige address.
Of course, let me tell you. They'd rented that shack
and the dump heap next to it for a pretty
fancy figure. Robert Reeger said they were going to do
(19:30):
printing in that shack. They paid in full for the
two years rental in nice crisp hundred dollar bills. I
get it. They were phony, she exulted. How can you
be so stupid? I know for you it's easy. Of course,
the bills were genuine. But the printing business, what were
(19:51):
they going to print with typewriters? Another thing? There's no
business record I could find in them. They're not listed.
So how did they get a million dollars? And Robert said,
more report here, No matter what the time, I don't
get it. I drove them out. There was no garage,
no car I could see, and the place is miles
(20:12):
from food. How do they live out there? Maybe they
have friends who picked them up, Dinas said, maybe. Robert
said there was a rumor or something about the government
going to use the area for a missile depo. I
tried to run it down nothing, which proves nothing. She said, true,
but I couldn't even smell smoke. Now the whole thing
(20:34):
just smells bad. So I think I'm going back there
and tell them to forget it. Oh, don't be an idiot,
she said. This is your big chance to make some
real money, get a reputation, and because you're chicken, you're
going to throw it up. I won't get into anything crooked.
His voice rose. The way you're thinking you couldn't follow
(20:56):
a straight line. They can't draw a straight line. Well,
you'd do what you want. Only the next time I
have to pay for a dinner, don't give me that
murdered look. Okay, okay, what do you want for Dessertspomoni?
After this by carbon it very funny, and for the
first time in several years, she did not kiss him
(21:18):
good night. When they parted, he turned off the black
top and started down the rutted path. He switched the
headlights off about half way to the shack and parked
it a hundred or so yards away from it and
walked the rest. The shack was dark. Instead of knocking,
Muldoon walked around to the back and peered through the
single window at the rear. He could see nothing now
(21:42):
isn't this just dandy, he thought, Drive all the way
out here and nobody's at home. Damn. He went around
to the front and started back to the car. His
attention was caught by a greenish glow of light from
the far end of the dump peep. His curiosity aroused.
Mulled June warily made his way through the metal litter
(22:02):
until he was close enough to make out the source
of the light. It came from the center of a
shallow area that had been cleared of rubble. A rusted,
misshapen mass of metal lay in the center of the
cleared space. The greenish glow was coming from an opening
in the mass. Muldoon crept closer until he was able
to make out details, not too many, but enough to
(22:26):
give him an idea of the size and general shape
of the thing. But what really held him were the
figures of Robert and Evan Rieger. He saw them quite distinctly.
One of the twins was bent over a machine of
some sort. There were levers, gears, and rollers mounted on
(22:47):
a web platform no larger than a rather oversized typewriter.
Muldoon's eyes went wide at the sight of the Greenbacks
coming in a steady stream from the interior of the
machine and falling into a box at the side. He
could see very little else that was in the room
other than the brother of the twin at the machine.
(23:08):
He was on the far side of it, fiddling with
something hidden. Muldoon stared in fascination for another minute, then
carefully made his way back to the car. He had
parked it within the growth of scrub trees and bushes.
He started it, turned the headlights on, and drove slowly
out into the open and up to the shack. He
(23:29):
hunked his horn loudly a couple of times and got
out of the car and walked up to the shack
and tried the door. It was closed. Presently, the figures
of Evan and Robert Rieger came into view from the
direction of the dump. Peap Muldoon's figure was outlined in
the glow of the headlights. Muldoon noticed the briefcase one
(23:49):
of them was carrying. Ah there Muldoon. Muldoon had recognized
Robert's voice. Hello, mister Rigger. Thought i'd come by and
let you know how I've been doing. Evan, who was
carrying the briefcase, unlocked the door and switched on the light.
The other two followed him into the room. Robert Riger
motioned for Muldoon to take the sofa. Evan went into
(24:12):
the other room. Well, my boy, Robert said, heartily. How
is it going slowly? Muldoon said casually, But the first
of this sort of operation has to go that way,
kind of feel things out, if you know what I mean.
Of course, how does it look? I think it's going
to go all right. I've got plans splendid. Do you
(24:34):
need money? Yes, about ten thousand, Evan, do bring the
case out, Robert called loudly. In a couple of seconds,
Avan Riager appeared. He brought the briefcase to his brother,
turned and went back into the other room without saying anything.
He walked slowly and stiffly, his feet slapping heavily on
(24:55):
the bare floors. What's wrong with him, Muldoon asked Robert.
Re was pulling money from the briefcase. He looked up
with an expressionless face. Nothing, you said, ten thousand? Yes,
Riger passed two of the packets to Muldoon. Sure you
won't need more. Muldoon put the money away, got up
(25:16):
from the sofa and started to the door. No just
what I need. I'll see you Friday night. Fine, and
don't forget. We must get all this done quickly. I
won't forget. Robert Reeger waited till the sound of the
plymouth was no longer heard. Then he went into the
other room. Other than for two army cots, the room
(25:38):
was empty. Evan was stretched full length on one of
the cuts. You're certain he knows, Evan asked, yes, I
saw him on the visio, but he could see all
the interior. Now just a duplicating machine. We must get
rid of it tonight. What do you think he will do?
What Kenny do? He knows nothing. Money is genuine, and
(26:01):
with the destruction of the machine he can't prove anything. Nevertheless,
it might be the wisest course to get rid of him.
We might have been too clever with that advertisement. Possibly,
but we must move quickly. Then. I must leave this
planet in seven days now, and we must have this
area under lease by them three mus Robert smiled thinly.
(26:27):
We will, if not through Muldoon, then through another. Means,
when you return in a year with the space fleet,
you will find the landing area we need. And after that,
they smiled at each other we said we would not fail.
This planet will fall to our weapons like ripe fruit
from a tree. But first I must return to tell them,
(26:50):
Evan said. And if I do not return, they will
know we have failed and will seek another planet. We
won't fail, Robert reiterated. Right now, let's get back to
the spaceship and the duplicating machine. Muldoon spent a busy Thursday.
A newsbreeth in the Times Financial section, which told of
(27:12):
a public utility wanting island property, gave him an idea
for one thing. He spent all morning bringing the idea
to a head after he had verified the truth of
the item. Then, after a late lunch, he went to
the Treasury Department's headquarters and spent a couple of hours
with the head of the local investigation department. He was
(27:34):
quite pleased with himself by nightfall as he headed out
to the island. This time he parked the car at
a considerable distance from the shack. There were lights on
this night. He walked boldly up and knocked at the door.
It opened wide, and the thick figure of one of
the twins darkened the opening. Well, mister Muldoon, I did
(27:54):
not think to see you till Friday. I thought i'd
come and see you tonight, al Dune said, as he
stepped into the room. I didn't hear the car. Oh
parked it back a bit, Muldoon said. He turned toward
the other twin as the inner door opened. Hello, Hello,
you know Evan, Robert said, I'm rather glad Muldoon stopped
(28:15):
by tonight. We might as well conclude our business with
him now. An excellent idea, Robert, excellent. What do you mean,
Muldoon asked, I no longer am acting for you, not
for us, for yourself. I'm afraid your services in any
capacity will no longer be needed. Muldoon caught the undercurrent
(28:38):
of menace in Robert's voice. It told them they were
not only suspicious, but ready to act on it. He
started to edge toward the door, but Robert suddenly reached
out and took his arm. There was power in the
fat man's gript. Evan moved swiftly for his size and
took up a position before the door, which he kicked shut.
(28:58):
Muldoon twisted sharp and was free of the other's grip.
He stepped back a couple of faces. What the hell's
this all about? Come? Now, Muldoon, Robert said softly. You
didn't think you're prying when unobserved last night, so I
was nosy. But what's this rough stuff you're trying to pull?
Merely making sure your curiosity will end tonight? Muldoon took
(29:25):
a couple of more retreating faces. You mean you're going
to get rid of me? Well, maybe you will and
maybe you won't. But even if you do, smile broke
through the grim lips of the twin, threatening Muldoon. You
mean the duplicating machine just another piece of rusted scrap
among the rest of the junk. Muldoon paled the evidence
(29:48):
he was going to need gone, And of course the
money is genuine. We made sure of it, ink paper,
everything we made sure of it long ago. Be a
pity you won't be here to see how he fished,
we can really be, But the rest of the planet
will know as soon as Evan returns. Muldoon's mind was
(30:10):
working swiftly. You got rid of the machine, But what
about the junk shop that was in. I'll bet there
are more important things there. Indeed there are. No one
will find him. It will be just another rusted piece
of large junk to them. It was then that Muldoon
made his move. He lashed out with a fist. The
(30:30):
blow staggered Robert, and Muldoon was crashing his shoulder against
the inner door. It burst inward, but before he could
get through, Robert grabbed him. The whole side of Muldoon's
face went numb as Robert crashed his fist against his jaw.
Muldoon knew he didn't stand a chance in a straight
up fight, not with these two. Robert's hands were reaching
(30:52):
for him now. Muldoon grabbed one of his hands with
both of his twisted outward as he grasped two fingers
in each hand. Robert's face went putty gray as the
bones snapped. Muldoon no longer cared about fair play. His
knee came up where it could do the most damage,
and Robert sank, groveling to the floor. Muldoon whirled too late.
(31:16):
The world exploded in a thousand flashes of pain filled lights.
He went crashing backward into the wall. Avan hit him
again before he stumbled blindly away from the terrible fist.
Let me tell him, Robert groaned. Muldoon pulled himself up
from the pain filled world. He had been sent into
There seemed to be two Evans facing him, then there
(31:38):
was only one. A twisted grin came to Muldoon's lips.
Come ahead, you rat, he mumbled. Evan came forward and
swift as an adder. Muldoon kicked him just below the knee.
Cap Avan screamed and collapsed. Muldoon staggered out of the
way of the falling body, only to fall into the
clutches of Robert's sudden reaching fingers. He fell to the floor.
(32:01):
Robert tried to get his good hand up to Muldoon's throat.
Muldoon beat at the thick face with both hands, but
the other seemed not to feel the pounding fists. Slowly
the fingers managed to reach their goal. Muldoon felt the
darkness of death closing over him as his breath became
a tortured, dying gasp. His hand found Robert's face came
gently over it until his thumb pressed on one eyeball,
(32:24):
and Robert screamed as the thumb became a hooked instrument
to blind him. Muldoon rolled away from the other, staggered
somehow erect, but he knew his strength was gone. He
couldn't make it to the door, and now Evan had
him and the door burst open and men poured into
the room. Muldoon recognized only one, the head of the
(32:44):
Treasury's investigation department, before he blacked out. Dina Savory stroked
his forehead gently. Does it hurt much? Baby? The nurse
had left them alone when Dina came into the hospital room. Now,
Muldoon said, what are they going to do to those men?
She asked, oh, twenty years. According to Phillips, counterfeiting, you know,
(33:09):
carries heavy penalties. But I thought the money was good.
After all, they had paid rent with C notes. A
slip up on the bank's part. You see, they made
one mistake the machine. They had turned out perfect bills,
everyone with the same serial number. Dina's eyes widened, and
(33:31):
the junk shop or whatever it was, she said, I
thought I'd let well enough alone. You see. I took
care of that during the day. The twins, being criminals,
had automatically broken their lease. They also made it possible
for me to change clients. Well as going to be
a huge tank covering that dump and shack a tank
(33:51):
holding an awful lot of natural gas. I got together
with the owner of the property and the utility people
yesterday afternoon and worked out a deal. They're going to
dump all that junk into the ocean. I'm sorry about
the other night, she said. Suddenly, Is that how you
say you're sorry? He asked, Uh huh, she said, as
(34:14):
he reached for her. There's a time and place for
that promise. Her lips agreed. This is the end of lease.
The Doomsday by Lee Archer
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