The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-03-28
Chapter %
Tim LathrOp


MRS. EVANS, attirec in a fla
IVA GRAVITY red and very unbe-
coming coolie coat, was at the top
OF the stairway glazing down at
the very flushed and perspiring
Sergeant Long. He was limping
up to the second floor swearing at
the top of his lungs. 1t seems that
pital and was on his way to
Joan's room to poke around a lit
tie more. At the top of the stairs
he caught his heel on the brass
rim of the step and fell the whole
fight.
/ was surprised that he hadn't
broken his neck, because he was
a very heavy man. His ankle was
Wrenched badly, though. but that
didn't prevent him from button
holing a man who was coming up
the stairway. had to look twice
and then | wouldn't have recog-
nized Mr.. Whitefeld if it hadn't
been for the heavy coat He was
the sort of man you could meet
every day and never recognize.
"Just a minute there" He
caught Whitefeld by the arm as
he came up to the hall. There's
something I'd like to ask YOU"
"Why. Sergeant" the man said
with mock politeness as he took
off his hat. you told me could
60 out this evening""
81 know that" the Sergeant
growled. What l want to know
is. why didn't you tell me about
that quarrel Miss Wells had IN
the hall with that man Kincaid?
She left your apartment to see
him"
Il tell you don't know about
any quarrel" Whitefield said.
"What goes on here is none of my
business" He swung past the Ser
geant and proceeded up to the
third floor.
Apparently the Sergeant's an
kle was bothering him. so he
didn't stop the artist. | propelled
the officer into my room. Mrs.
Evans departed with a disapprov-
ing snort after asking why he
hadn't arrested Mr.. Kimball and
why isn't there police guard
outSiC. Of her loor. since she
would undoubtedly be the next
. one to go.
"And If you haven't arrested
Mr.. Kim0all," she called back as
she waddled off. I'D like to know
what the delay is all about"
The Sergeant closed the door
none too quietly That woman IS
going to drive me out Of my mind
She acted so funny about her
work when | asked her Do you
know what 1t Is? She sells cor
sets. goes from door to door!"
l wanted to laugh. but | was
afraid he'd arrest me for making
game of the law Mary Ann. how
ever. perched on the arm of a
chair by the fireplace. giggled and
the Sergeant. as susceptible as
Dirck 10 red hair. smiled grudg
ingly.
"Lathrop and Kolf will be here
pretty soon" he said as | brought
out some adhesive for his foot.
was surprised that Tim La
throp could leave the hospital.
"Did you find out how it hap
pened?"
He grimaced as he tried to pull
his heavy shoe off his swollen
foot, and didn't reply immediate
ly. After moment of gruntlng as
he bound his ankle he said. "All
! know Is he was pulled out of
the water at the foot of Forty
second Street and the East River
1T seems policeman saw car
driven by woman going toward
the wharf he went on. Then a
minute later he heard a loud
splash. He hurried down, but
couldn't see anything. It's a dead
end street and runs directly into
the river. so he knew the car was
submerged He leaned over the
edge of the wharf and lighted the
water with his flash A man was
struggling to the surface" The
Sergeant paused while he pulled
on his sock and shoe. ut was
Lathrop." he said finally. but he
was unconscious and when the
officer got him out he couldn't
leave him that way to search for
the woman. He signalled for help
and when the police car came
they found the woman'S body.
but she was pretty nearly done
for. They don't expect her to live.
/ saw her for a minute but ]
couldn't question her"
| Shlvered. It was horrible to
think of those people almost
drowning last night when it was
so bitter cold.
'Openv
TTS got me All naked up. can
4 tell you that the Sergeant
continued almost as though he
were thinking aloud. Il could
have sworn that Lathrop was
trying to get rid of his wife. but
now it looks as though she was
trying to drown herself and him.
too. since she was driving the
Car. She was one of those neurotic
women. And even though they
weren't living together she was
still jealous of him and hated
Joar Kent"
"Thcn she couldn't have known
that jean was dead" suggested,
because if it was jealousy there
wouldn't have been any reason
for her to try TO drown him with
Joan out of the way"
- -