The Middle Man

Game Date: Tuesday, 25 March 1947
Date Played: 15 November 2003

Georgina Delaware, a none-too-bright busty blonde, sashays in to the offices of Galloway, Ryan and Associates soon after lunch on Tuesday 25 March 1947. He husband, Marlon Reeves, has gone missing and she wants him found.

On Sunday night, he received a visit from a copper. She says that the man did not identify himself as such but that she could tell. He smelled strongly of violets-scented cologne. After the man left, Marlon was very agitated. All Monday, he would pace the floor and make short trips to the city. Tuesday morning, he, his suitcase and a bunch of clothes were gone.

Benny immediately recognizes Marlon as a man who assisted in rigging the election nine years ago put Mayor Robert Anderson in power. Benny, Marlon and a third man named Daniel Warshawski, all policemen at the time were tipped off to leave the department just before an official inquiry began. Marlon now runs Reeves Trucking and Haulage, a profitable transport company about which unproven rumours of mob connections hover.

The others recognize the violet-scented policeman as 'Violets' McGee, a homicide detective seconded to the Mayor and District Attorney's anti-corruption crusade.

Immediately after Georgina leaves, Benny phones Dan, the third member of the vote rigging scam at his place of business, West Coast Printing Service. He's not there. Benny tries Dan at his home, where Dan's wife says that he's not at home and, since he didn't come home last night, isn't welcome back again. At little worried by this, Benny phones Norma Desmond and asks her out on a date. He figures he'll have somewhere other than his own bed to sleep tonight.

Jeff walks into the cop bar, O'Flahrety's Bra and Grill, where 'Violets' is known to drink. Conversation ceases and all heads follow him to the bar. Jeff asks the bartender if 'Violets' is around and, if not, to have him contact Jeff as soon as possible. He drops a $50 on the bar and leaves with a big smile. "The next round is one me, fellas."

Gabi takes a drive to the Westchester Hills area, where Marlon lives with Georgina. She invites Gabi in and answers her questions. Eventually, Goergina offers Gabi tea and, while Georgina is testing her domestic skills, Gabi searches Marlon's home office looking for clues. All financial and business records are gone and there is a pistol at the bottom of the filing cabinet. Georgina returns and they talk girl stuff until Gabi can comfortably break away.

The next morning, Benny says good-bye to Norma and heads into the office. There, he is given the news that his housekeeper is looking for him. He ignores the first few phone calls until Jeff hears on the radio that there has been a murder in the suburb where Benny lives. Benny phones his housekeeper who tells him that the murder happened right outside his door.

Nate goes to investigate. The area is cordoned off by police and a crowd has gathered. Nate pushes his way to the front. He sees a man matching Warshawski's description lying in a pool of blood outside Benny's house.

Violets McGee finally pays Jeff a visit and is pleased to find Benny there as two. Two birds with one stone, he says. He asks Benny if he was involved in the vote rigging scam nine years ago. Benny answers no. Violets smiles. He knows that Benny would say that, he says. But what Benny has to ask himself is why Violets would ask such a stupid question. The District Attorney, says Violets, would be very interested in anything Benny has to say.

What about Reeves?, asks Jeff. Violets says he's been seen in the city and on the docks this morning. He leaves. Jeff and Benny look at each other -- The Lucky Lady.

They collect Gabi and pay Nate a visit. On showing him Reeves' photograph, Nate recognizes him as the man he's just dropped off at the SS Lucky Lady, a gambling ship anchored outside the three-mile limit. But he used the name George Delaware. They jump in Nate's boat and make their plans on the way.

On boarding the Lucky Lady, Nate and Gabi make their way below looking for the ship's 'hotel' rooms. They rent the room next to Reeves' and, once the coast is clear, Gabi expertly picks the lock and they search the place. They find the burnt remains of Reeves business records and a suitcase full of cash, bearer bonds, a pistol, and a ticket to Mexico.

Jeff and Benny spot Reeves drinking in the bar, ignoring the fun of the casino behind him. Jeff takes a position close by in case of trouble while Benny slips into the seat next to Reeves. Hi, buddy, says Reeves, thoroughly sloshed. Benny and Reeves discuss the old days before Reeves says that he's no going to prison but Mexico. He'll get away before they can track him down. He's tied up a few loose ends already, he says. Daniel Warshawski, Benny nods. Yes, says Reeves, and I'd kill you too if I hadn't misplaced my gun.

Benny steers the conversation around to Georgina. She misses him greatly and hired private detectives to find him. Damn, says Reeves, I'm doomed. If the private dicks can find him, the coppers aren't far behind. How about, offers Benny, if I collect Georgina and you can both escape together. After doubts that Georgina would enjoy slumming in Mexico, he agrees. Benny suggest Cuba as an alternative, high-living location. Gabi and Nate collect Georgina and reunite the happy couple.

Two days later, Benny receives an invitation to the reading of Warshawski's will. At the lawyers' office, not really blending into the crowd of relatives, is Violets McGee. He and Benny exchange polite nods. Benny receives a bequest of a bundle of documents from Warshawski. Anything interesting?, asks Violets. Nothing for you, replies Benny. Violets turns to leave. Remember, the DA is interested in you, he says as he walks out the door.

Benny and Jeff go through the documents. They are a complete record of how the vote rigging scam was enacted and who was involved. It names everyone regardless of rank or privilege. Benny removes the part the he was involved with and turn the rest of the documents over the Vincenzo Giuliani, to cure the bad blood between them.

Case closed.