The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-09-01
HAPPINESS AHEAD
CHAPTER XII

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 .aeilo, Blair" he said when he followed Mary Evans into the room. You wanted to see me?"
 sam Blair nodded curtly. This ls Miss Cleveland,' he introduced Pat. sShe's the girl who followed Atherton from Midvale to the bridge project.
 A shadow of apprehension fitted across Bands face and his cold gray eys swept around the room be- fore he spoke.
 "How do you do. Ma'am." There wa sno hint of concern in his tone, Then he turned back to the police man. "What did you want of me?' we want you for the murder of Joe Parker and Randolph Ather- ton," Dave announced quietly when Blair hesitated.
 Rand whirled on his heel.
 "what is this?" he shot at Blair but Blair's hand was poised over his gun.
 "Yes, MT. George Rand Ather- ton, the jig is up. Blair" Dave ierked his head at the prisoner Ines all yours. Cal lin your blood hounds. You see, Pat" he said to her, i've had to see if you would recognize his voice. Surprise was the only way out"
 Did yo usay Atherton2" Pat looked her astonishment.
 That's right, Pat. He's Ram dolph Atherton's brother"
 It was then that George Rand lcted.
 On brawny hand shot out and drew Pat in front of him, directly between him and Sam Blair's gun. The other hand flashed into his :oat pocket, reappeared clutching vicious-looking automatic.
 "All right" he parked at Blair, Don't move, any of you"
 "Now, that's better" Bands voice was silky with satisfaction. Don't any of you move & muscle. .. That means you, too, Elson" ne rasped, for Dave had tensed to unge forward. "One move and" He jabbed the gun hard int Pats pack by wa yof finishing the sen- sence.
 "So you did kil lthem?" Dave, they all knew. was making a des- perate play for time.
 Yeah, killed 'em."
 Mind telling us why?"
 "Elson, you're so smart, suppose you tell 1t yourself"
 All right, Rao fietaoinetaoinn "Au right" Dave agreed, T will. You--and not brother Randolph have run the Atherton Construc- tion Company all these years. He was just dupe, and badly Frightened one at that. So badly frightened that, when he got the filters, you killed him save your own skin. When Joe Parger found out what had been suspected for q long time-that inferior material was going into every building or bridge that your outfit put up - you Killed him. But you shouldn't have written that threatening let ter on his own typewriter. That was Che tip-off."
 He looked at George Rand. The gun. was still uncomfortably close to Pat.
 "Yes," he went on, "using Park CTS own typewriter and sending those red roses to his funeral with Randolph Atherton's card" He shook his head. Tt was a little too obvious, especially after your brother told Pat that he knew noth- ing of them.''
 T should have finished you off that night in Parker's house, El- son."
 George Rand Atherton accented his words with shove that whirled Pat around toward the dining room door.
 Once outside the man darted quick look around, then he dashed past her. Following him with her eyes, Pat saw the dim outline of car at the back gate.
 Roar of the starting motor brought mad rush from the house. With a single motion Sam Blair was behind the steering wheel of his own machine. It tore around the corner to pick up the trail.
 Pat found herself half smoth- cred in Dave's arms.
 Pat, Pat" he was whispering against her hair. Darling, you might have been killed"
 Darling, she thought, he called me darling. A warm glow spread over her. Even here ankle felt i better.
 Clem, Mary, Dave and Pat went back into the house.
 Dave, do you mind telling me just how you found out about George Rand?" Pats curiosity i'm. mediately got the best of her. "Atherton?" He grinned sheep ishly. well, chicken, money works wonders sometimes. I merely sug- gested to that cute redheaded book