nstead of jail cells, which had been anticipated, Portia and David were taken to a large conference room at the station where they were surprised to see Rodney, Mildred, Flo and even Ellie - notably absent was Kitty O'Halloran. The other people were Karl Hagen, black eyes glaring through the bandages on his face and a shaken looking Captain Akardy.

Several uniformed police stood about the room at ease and four plainclothes detectives were seated at a well-worn table.

"Take a seat please." The eldest of the plainclothes said.

"May I ask what this all-?"

"No. Sit."

Portia sat, choosing a chair between her brother and Flo, hoping to hear an explanation from her friend. Flo gave a quick shake of her head.

"Mr. Karl Hagen and Captain Solomon Akardy have given statements stating you, Miss DeLysle, fired the gun that killed police officer Martin O'Brien earlier today in Mr. Hagen's office. As well, we have information that you were also present at the killings in Miss Emanuel's apartment at St. Lukes."

"That's not-" Portia felt the squeeze on her arm from her brother.

"And you, Mr. Ashby assaulted Mr. Hagen without cause, inflicting the damage apparent here."

David glanced at Rodney and remained silent.

"We would like to hear your version of the events please - Mr. Ashby?"

Another glance at Rodney and David took a deep breath. "If I am required to tell my side then it will be from the very beginning or not at all."

"We aren't going anywhere, Mr. Ashby."

"Very well." He took another breath and began.

An hour later, after several explosive interruptions by Karl, David ended his statement with their arriving at the hospital.

"Would you care to fill in your involvement, Miss DeLysle?"

Portia whispered something to Rodney and listened carefully to his whispered reply.

"Are you going to say you want a lawyer now?"

"No, this is my brother." She took her cigarette holder out of her purse and the intention was denied by one of the detectives.

"No smoking in here."

She made a production of putting it away.

"Miss DeLysle . . .?" The name was spoken with waning patience.

"Very well."

Portia's version supported most of David's with the addition of her separate role in the story. Mildred was asked if she agreed and she nodded. When it came to the shooting of Yegor, Portia described such a dramatic and dangerous episode the detectives waved her to a halt and huddled for their own whispered conversation.

"You don't have to lay it on quite so thick, Miss DeLysle. We've already verified most of what happened with our forensic examination, the help of these other ladies, and them." The detective aimed a thumb over his shoulder at Hagen and Akardy. He paused and looked over some notes. "Officers if you will take these people out except for Miss Emanuel and Miss DeLysle"

Rodney protested but lost as he and the others were ushered from the room. Two detectives remained with the two women and when the room was cleared Portia started up again, silenced by a firm hand slapping the table.

"Sorry, but you don't seem to respond well to requests." He shuffled his notes again and looked at the women. "This is Agent Tom Brower and I am Agent James Hutt. We are FBI and not a word of what I am about to tell you leaves this room. If even a breath gets out you'll both find yourselves in a federal prison without the luxury of a trial. Am I understood?"

Both women nodded with worried frowns.

"We know what happened in the elevator despite your attempt to paint such a laudable explanation. Kitty O'Halloran is an undercover policewoman we have had inside Hagen's operation for some time."

Muriel gasped and looked as if she was about to faint. Immediately the other detective produced a pitcher of water and a glass. Portia gaped, her mouth hanging open, in a rare speechless moment.

"The fact that neither of you, you particularly, Miss Emanuel, had any idea, speaks to just how good Kitty is at her job."

"But," Portia recovered her voice, "why have you let him go on so long? The shootings and gang warfare?"

"It would have gone on longer without the unexpected interference in recent weeks, but now, with the arrest of Hagen, the risk to Kitty is too great, so we have stopped her role in our investigations."

"But you still haven't said why."

"Have you ever heard the name Devereaux?"

"No, who is that?"

"Someone we've been trying to get a lead on for years. He or she, we don't even know, operate a tax haven in the Bahamas that hides millions of dollars avoiding taxes as well as a conduit for washing money, ala our friends Hagen, and the biggest fish, Capone. We want that money and all the federal taxes owing."

Portia leaned forward eagerly. "And Kitty was trying to find out more about him - her?"

"This conversation is over, Miss DeLysle. You know far more than you should as it is. Hagen will be tried for illegal bootlegging and murder for now. Captain Akardy for his role along with Dennis Creighton and Roland Royce, when they get out of hospital. If we need any of you at trial you will be notified. So, I reiterate my initial warning and I suggest you take it very, very seriously."

"But why tell us at all?"

"Because you are already privy to much of the information and any comments, intentional or not, about what went on could still put Miss O'Halloran at risk." The agent jogged his file notes with finality. "And your record for nosing about only underlines that risk." Both agents stood and led the way out.

The others were waiting outside the station and Portia went straight to her father, expecting his wrath but received a relieved hug and words of concern instead; the lectures would ensue. A pair of vehicles stood by to take them all home and Ellie joined David, Flo and the DeLyles.

Mildred was sent to the second car and climbed in to find Kitty waiting and Sanford lying docile beside her on the seat.

"We have a great deal to discuss," Kitty said, leaning over and giving Mildred a peck on the cheek.

In the other car, David asked if anyone knew about Rolly and Rodney told him that he was under guard in the hospital and would be arrested for his part in the money laundering. Crawford wanted to know why Portia and Mildred had been held back and Portia just said it was a few more questions about what happened at Mildred's apartment.

Trevor Auction and Art Gallery reopened with Mildred Emanuel as the new overall manager, Ellie Stillman her executive assistant, a title that sent her on a dizzying shopping spree, and David Ashby as the sole financial manager. Ralph Garber was resigned in absentia, his whereabouts unknown.

DeLysle and Son became the company's legal representatives and Portia . . .

Well Portia slipped right back into her regular ways, lunch with David at establishments still serving illegal alcohol and brandishing her trademark cigarette holder as she made conversation.

One luncheon at her favourite spot, The Mirage, she informed David that she and Flo were considering a cruise vacation.

"We might leave the ship and enjoy an island stay - the Bahamas I think looked interesting."

The End?

As the credits roll . . .

https://youtu.be/gZdHqEFK0ew