Max Helms: Curse of the Relic (Max Helms - Private Investigator Book 1) Read Free

robbed this guy the other day. We thought he was just an average ordinary guy. But we were wrong.”
    “How so?”
    “First of all, he had this getup that sorta looked like a Boy Scout. He had this sack that we nicked off him. We had no idea what was in it, but he didn’t want to give it to us. As soon as I touched the sack, I felt this power surge through me. I don’t know how to describe it, but something just didn’t feel right about it. And ever since I took it, I’ve felt like I’m being followed. I could’ve sworn that I saw one of those dead gangsters following me.”
    “You mean you’ve passed their bodies on the ground , right?”
    The door opened suddenly and startled both men. Polly came in with the coffee and s et it down on the desk. She smiled at Max and walked back out of the office, closing the door behind her.
    Rico stood back up and walked to the window. He peered out of the bli nds again. “No!” Rico exclaimed. “I mean I’ve actually SEEN them following me.”
    “What? You’re whacky! Does Joey have the same sensations as you?”
    “Joey’s dead! He was found murdered in his apartment yesterday. One of the supposedly dead gangsters was found in the lobby of his apartment building.”
    As Rico finished his sentence, they heard the sound of the main office door opening. Rico and Max both turned their heads in the direction of the sound and sat in silence.
    *              *              *
    Polly kept her head down and continued to type as the door opened. She figured it was just the mailman delivering the usual past-due notices.
    “Good day , miss.” a German-accented male voice broke her concentration. She looked up to see a tall, thin, older, well-dressed gentleman. He took off his gloves and continued. “I was hoping you could assist me. I was looking for someone.”
    “Yes sir!” Polly answered enthusiastically. They hadn’t had a paying job in quite some time, so this prospect was very exciting. “This IS a detective agency! Finding people is our specialty! Let me just get a little information from you, OK? First, what is YOUR name?”
    “ Gustov Heinrich… But that’s not--”
    Polly interrupted, still excited about the possibility of a paying job. “And the name of the party you are trying to locate?”
    “I don’t know, Miss. I was following him a few moments ago when he entered this office.”
    “Well, we get quite a few visitors. This is a busy office building. Lots of offices. People often get lost and stop here to ask for directions.”
    *               *              *
    Rico reached into his pocket, pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to Max. “I ditched the sack in a locker at the Southern Pacific train station. Here is the locker info. Go get it and meet me at Joey’s apartment in an hour.”
    “Why Joey’s apartment?”
    “They already got Joey. They won’t be looking for anyone there.”
    “Why don’t you go get it and I’ll meet you at Joey’s?”
    “There’s no way I could safely get the sack. I got too much heat on me. Hopefully I can lose them while you pick it up.”
    Rico walked back to the window, opened the blinds, lifted the windowpane and climbed out onto the fire escape. He looked back at Max and said, “I hope it’s not too late for me.” He then closed the window and made his way down the fire escape.
    Max put the paper into his pocket and made his way to the door to see what was going on in the other room.
    *              *              *
    Max walked into the room to see Polly talking to Mr. Heinrich.
    “Are you sure a man didn’t just come in here a few minutes ago?” Mr. Heinrich asked Polly.
    “Well…” Polly started to answer as Max interrupted.
    “Can I help you, mack?”
    Mr. Heinrich turned to look at Max. He was so engrossed in conversation with Polly that he didn’t notice him enter the room. “Perhaps you can. My name is Gustov