Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-12-07
The Police Report

| Starmount's voice rang out so tina
the man driving behind him hear(
his words.
at means you're holding up tht
traffic." he growled. "Comeon. Let's
gol Let's gcl"
Starmount dropped his paper and
put his car into gear.
''Read it to me, Ted. Read il
to me-
Parker started to read: Malcolm
Starmount's car was found complete
ly smashed on the old Post road
near Tarrytown this morning.
Evidently the thieves had been
frightened at something, turned off
of the pavement abruptly and strik-
ing the dirt road below, turned
turtle.
"They had not seen that this road
was under repair and the descent
from the pavement was about two
feet.
"Sather did that nicely, didn't
he" Pat Mulcahy put in.
"Yes, but where is Tenants
body9 Read on, Parker. What else
does it .sayf"
"The car was found by Motor
cycle Officer Phil Redland."
II know Phil, Mr.. Starmount.
Wen get the whole story from
him. interrupted Pat again.
"But there seems nothing more to
be told" said Parker in surprise. All
they say is that the cars front
wheels were completely shattered
and-Yes, here is something.
"Redland says that the car must
have been deserted before it struck
the lower road as no one could pos
sibly have lived after that impact.
He also says that there was no
blood or footprints about the car.
"Officer Redland Immediately tel
ephoned to Mr.. Starmount's home
and was told that Mr.. Starmount
and his friend, Mr.. Theodore Park
er, had started for town."
The trio drove across the bridge
in silence, but instead of getting out
at the Central station Starmount
said: II am going back to the shore
Ted. You go in and fix Mulcahy
with the chief, and here is check
which you can fill out for the man.
Mulcahy, as soon as possible get out
to the wreck, find out if it is worth
bringing back, and notify the in
'urance company"
shall | notify the insurance COM
'any for theft or accidentR"
Starmount hesitated moment
'Both,' he said finally. "We are
setting into deep water, aren't we
wish we knew where Sather is"
Il think, Mr.. Starmount, that you
will have to notify the insurance
company that you have been robbed
md that the car has been ruined.
"All right, Mulcahy, you and
'arker fix it up any way you want
o. I'm through. And tell YOU
light here that l would rather go
o Jail accused Of murder than wor-
as | have worried for the last 16
ours. l do not like lying either
Y implication or word of mouth and
have done nothing else since yes
erday afternoon"
"You don't know anything about
rouble Nal. You think this is the
'orst thing that could happen to
GU because nothing hitherto has
in your life which might
isturb you particularly. Where will
ou be if we want to telephone ,
OUT"
Starmount had been busy signing
blank check and now handed it to /
arker.
Il shall be at home. I am going
telephone to the specialists and
ave them out as soon as possible !
I'd see if | cannot get my mind off
my own troubles by trying to I
lieve the troubles of someone else" {
armount turned the ear toward s
'me. t
Il never knew a rich man before, In
r. Parker. l never wanted to know :
ie but Malcolm Starmount is a
al man. think there is Irish
ood in him. Anyway l am going 8
stand by him for taking care Of 2
e Devlin family.
And shure, Mr.. Parker, before c
yone sends starmount to Jail Pat t
alcahy viii confess to the murder I
nself." 4
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