Evening star., 1950-10-02
CHAPTER I.

/ ! SflOVeQ nef--QeUberately. The
cup Of coffee she was carrying
crashed to the floor, scattering
its hot contents in all directions.
With a squeal of dismay, she
dropped the saucer too. and sprang
back.
/ I'm sorry" I said. 'I didn't
mean"
She swung angry blue eyes in
my direction and really looked at
me. You"
You're absolutely right" I
agreed. "It was stupid and clumsy.
The floor is a little slippery"
| Never mind!" she interrupted.
She was rubbing her wrist and
staring ruefully at the skirt of her
gray suit on which the coffee stain
was spreading.
did it burn your wrist?"
cts all right" She didn't
exactly snap the words, but got
the idea. She was seething inside.
| Well. fools rush in thought.
Aloud Amos Ames-said: "Try
drying it with this. I think coffee
washes out but. if it doesn't. I'll
pay for the suit and"
"Thanks-but it's all right"
Ignoring the handkerchief, she sat
down at table and began rubbing
the blotch with a piece of paper
tissue.
/ Look" I said. I'm more sorry
than I can say. Won't you let
me-"
j She flung her head back and
looked up at me. Please, mister
won't you please leave me
alone?"
stood there a moment, then
shrugged and walked away. But I
didn't give up. I got another cup
OF coffee, and set it on her table.
Then I went outside and lit a
cigarette.
"The Michigan City police de-
partment." Chief Forester had
told me, isn't equipped to con-
duct an elaborate murder inves-
tigation. We don't have many
detectives and our men aren't
trained for it. Big cities can
afford special laboratories and
trained men, but in small town
we have to make out as best we
can. We know Louise Justin was
murdered. but that's about ALL"
Il understand that" I said.
"Mr. Clyde Justin hired me to
come here and cooperate with
your Office. Will your Office 60
along with me?"
why not?" he countered. 1T
know your reputation, Mr.. Ames.
but I doubt if you'll make much
headway. I'm glad to have your
help and, If Mr.. Justin wants to
finance a special investigation.
it's OK. Ask me anything you
want to know"
asked questions and he an
swered, but there wasn't much to
go on: Louise Justin, "a, daughter
OF Clyde Justin. local banker, had
been shot to death soon after mid
night on the morning of January
10. A park attendant had found
her body sprawled behind clump
Of bushes. An autopsy showed
Ia .32-caliber bullet had pierced
her head. The weather had been
cold and the ground was hard
so no footprints had been ascer-1
tainable. None had heard the
shot. the weapon had not been
found: there had been no strug-
gle. no robbery.
"Any boy friends?" asked.
Several, all clear of suspicion:
a local garage mechanic named
Larry Oaks. for one. A salesman.
Ned Thorenson. for another. And
lone Of our bank cashiers. MervinI
Banks. He had planned to marry
her. Her death shook him pretty
badly"
What about missing jewelry?"
According to her family, Miss
Justin had several thousand dol
lars worth of rings. beads, brace
let's, and such. They've disap-
peared."
How about girl friends?"
"The only close one she had was
Julie Stevens who worked in the
family's bank. Started as teller
during the war when men were
scarce, and then kept on. Pleas
ant, well-liked girl. but close
mouthed. She may know some
thing; in fact. think she does.
But she wouldn't talk at the in
quest, and it's my opinion no one
can make her talk"
"Why?"
well, she seems to hate COPS
Her father was a night Watchman
and he got killed, accidentally, by
a patrolman who mistook him for
a robber. The family has hated
us ever since"
I sat there a moment, studying
his face. do you think she'd talk
to me?"
I'm afraid you're too late. One
OF my men reported this morning
that he saw Miss Stevens at the
bus depot, buying a ticket to New
York"
What does this Julie look like?"
Chief Forester produced small
photograph. There she is with
Louise Justin. She's the one on
the right. You can borrow it ,,