The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-07-03
Chapter AZ BECKER TALKS


 BECKER TALKS "VXIE'RE from Police Headquar. W ters," said Harper. Are you Mrs. Sutton? Well, Mrs. Sutton. we happen to know that Miss Becker is at home. It would be much wiser if she saw us. Much wiser"
 To assist Mrs. Sutton make the correct decision Lafferty casually put sturdy foot across the sill.
 "Oh. all right. come In. She's upstairs. 1 thought you were bill collectors. There's some mistake, though. Ellen has been home for months, looking after me-"
 "If there has been a mistake. we can soon put it straight. Will you ask her to come down, please?"
 The detectives were ushered into a dark, stuffy parlor that probably had its twilight atmosphere even on the brightest days. They heard the elderly woman's slow tread as she mounted the stairs.
 There's something in it," Laf- ferty whispered. Did you notice her face when she found out who we were?"
 Harper nodded. A lighter step was coming down the staircase. Then the curtains rustled and Miss Ellen Becker faced them.
 Miss Becker?"
 "Yes. What do you want. please ?" We are from Police Headquar. ters. am Sergeant Harper of the Homicide Bureau. 1 am in charge of the murder case at MT. Pierre Dufresne's house. You've heard about that?"
 "Yes," echoed Miss Becker. "l read about 1t in the papers today" We came to ask youssome ques- tions about your period of service there. Why did you leave MT. Du. fresne's employment last Novem- ber?"
 My aunt was very sick and need ed constant looking after, so gave notice and came home. l haven't been near MT. Dufresne's house since"
 Harper looked at her. "Stlll talk ipu oora of ynur aupfob
 Ellen's face darkened. She's well now, but jobs are hard to get"
 If you left MT. Dufresne's of your own accord, why don't you ap. ply for your old job? They haven't hired any one in your place"
 "Pd rather get job where I can live at home."
 Miss Becker" Harper continued, you deny, then. that you have been advised to go into hiding for a while?"
 The detectives chance shot, based on Harris report of the telephone messages, certainly struck home. "Why, er-of course" she stam- mered, with apparent effort.
 You were not, by any chance. packing to go away when we ar rived?"
 No! Where would be going? l live here." But her voice was still unsteady.
 "In that case. you won't mind if we just take a quick look at your room. Jack, see to it!"
 T AFFERTY was off like a shot. Af In a moment there issued loud voices from upstairs and Lafferty came hurrying down again.
 "She was packed to go. all right, he accused. When I rushed up the old lady was stuffing things back in the bureaus and closets as fast as she could"
 "Ha." exclaimed Harper. now the cats out of the bag. 1 give you your choice of two things. You can lolh tO uos VI you Soh SoihC oiOu to Headquarters. There's a car waiting on the corner"
 Ellen broke down, quick. fright ened sobs shaking her body. q didn't do anything wrong," she walled.
 Harper answered stonily, "bu, you are holding back information Why did you leave the Dufresnes Because some one found 1t wortt while to get you out of the house?'
 Ellen Becker resigned herself tt the inevitable and nodded.
 Harper leaned forward. tense ant eager. Who has been paying yol the hush-money?"
 Mrs. Dufresne!"
 Harper leaned back. Tell us ex actly what happened" Ellen Becker clenched her fin gers. Tt was right after the hous, was opened last autumn" she be gan. "The family were at the apart ment while we got things ready 1 was cleaning the hearth in tn, breakfast-room. There was . bras, urn standing by the fireplace. nllet with white sand.