1935 Harlem Race Riot : Eugene Leftkowicz, Private Eye

“I’m sorry for busting in, I need a private investigator. My boyfriend has been missing since the riot on Tuesday.”"Hold on, dear, I’m on the telephone, Yes, sir, you’ve reached the offices of Eugene Leftkowicz and Padraig Murphy, Private Investigators. Please hold the line.“Okay, honey, you’ve got yourself all worked up. Take a seat. Would you like a cup of tea or coffee? How about a glass of water?”“No thanks, I’m just worried about my boyfriend.”“Of course, you are. Let’s start from the beginning. Who are you and who is your boyfriend?”“I’m Carmen Morgan. My boyfriend is Preston Oliver. He’s negro, handsome, twenty-four years old.”“I’ll see if Mr. Leftowicz can take you right away.”“Mr. Leftkowicz, there’s somone to see you.”“Thanks, Molly, send her in. “’m Eugene Leftkowicz, and this is my partner, Paddy Murphy, we’re both Private Investigators. Please have a seat. I heard most of what you were saying to Molly. Where was your boyfriend on Tuesday? That was the night of the riot, wasn’t it?”“Yes, I think so. I didn’t pay much attention at the time. He plays trumpet with Jimmy Lunceford’s swing band at the Cotton Club. I’ve gone to the police; they told me that negro musicians disappear all the time.“Here is a photo and one of Preston’s socks, if it will help you to track him.”“You’ve come to the right place. Paddy and I have a very good record in cases of this type. I will require a retainer of twenty dollars to cover expenses. Will that be a problem?”“No, Mr. Leftkowicz, I’ll do anything to get Preston back, or to find out what happened to him.”“I’m a regular at the Cotton Club and have seen that cat on stage. He blows some mean high notes, enough to waken the dead. In a good way that is.”“That’s funny because he worked as an undertaker in Kansas City before coming to New York.”“Is there any chance that he had some reason for leaving town without telling you. Another woman perhaps? I have to ask these questions. I’m sure that’s what the police are thinking.”“No, we’re engaged to be married. He phones me every night after the club shuts down. He never misses. That’s what worries me.”“Did you know that the owner of the Cotton Club, and twenty other clubs, is Owney ‘the killer’ Madden. Accused of six murders, never went to court, witnesses were afraid to testify. Convicted of manslaughter for ordering the killing of William Moore also known as ‘Little Patsy Doyle. And this is just the short version.”“I didn’t know that. Now I’m really worried.”