Read 1979 - You Must Be Kidding for Free Online Page B

down on the only chair. He holstered his gun.
    ‘You’ve just arrived, Lu? Right?’
    ‘If you want it spelt out,’ Boone said. ‘I booked into this cabin at five after nine.’
    ‘How did you come?’
    ‘For God’s sake! On my goddamn feet!’
    ‘I mean which way?’
    ‘Along the beach. I got a hitch to the top of the road and walked down, along the beach.’
    ‘This is a murder investigation,’ Lepski said quietly. ‘Did you see anyone? Hear anything? There’s a girl’s body in the first thicket along the road. You didn’t go that way?’
    Boone stiffened.
    ‘You’re goddamn right, I didn’t! I don’t know anything about murder!’
    ‘The girl was killed around the time you were walking down the road. See anyone? Hear anything?’
    Boone scratched at his beard and his eyes shifted.
    ‘I didn’t see anyone nor hear a thing.’
    Lepski felt instinctively he was lying.
    ‘Look, Lu, think again. Did you see anyone on the road or on the beach?’
    ‘I don’t have to think again. The answer’s no!’
    ‘This girl was ripped wide open. The killer must have got blood on his clothes,’ Lepski said. ‘I want to look at your clothes.’
    ‘That’s something you don’t do, fuzz. I know my rights. Get a search warrant!’
    Lepski looked at Dusty.
    ‘Search this dump,’ he said.
    As Dusty went over to the small closet, Boone jumped off the bed, stark naked, then stopped short as Lepski showed him his gun.
    ‘Take it easy, Lu,’ Lepski said in his cop voice.
    Boone sat down on the bed.
    ‘I’ll fix you, fuzz. I know my rights.’
    It took Dusty only a few minutes to go through Boone’s clothes. He grimaced at Lepski.
    ‘He’s clean.’
    ‘I’ll put in a complaint tomorrow!’ Boone said. ‘I’ll fix you, you goddamn flatfoot!’
    Lepski gave him his wolfish smile.
    ‘How would you like to be taken in as a pusher, Lu?’
    He took from his pocket a small packet. ‘I can always say I found this in your gear. Like the idea?’
    Boone stared at the packet, then shrugged.
    ‘Okay. Forget it. I’m losing my touch. Fuzz can’t lose.’
    ‘You can say that again. Now, let’s hear about you, what you do, where you’re from, when you’re leaving here.’
    Boone again shrugged and began to talk.
    Dusty wrote busily in his notebook.
     
    * * *
     
    Ken Brandon arrived back at his home at 21.30. During the drive, his mind had been active. What a godawful mess he had got himself into! Before long, the body would be found, then the police would move in. If it hadn’t been for this gruesome murder, he would have driven to Fort Lauderdale and spent the rest of the night, celebrating Mary and Jack’s goddamn anniversary. But the sight of the ripped body had completely unnerved him. Even now as he turned into the long road, leading to his bungalow, his stomach heaved.
    This was Sunday night. Most of his neighbours would be out. He turned off his headlights and using only parking lights, drove slowly down the road. So he could establish an alibi for Betty and the police, he knew it was important to get home without being seen.
    He drove to his garage door, flicked the gimmick to open the door and drove in. For a long moment, he sat in his car, thinking. Then leaving the car, he opened the door that led to the lobby and walked into the darkness of the living room. He crossed to the window and peered into the street. The three villas opposite were in darkness. He drew the heavy curtains, then groped his way across the room and turned on the lights.
    So far, so good! he thought. He felt confident that he had arrived without being seen.
    He made himself a Scotch and soda, then sat down. His thoughts darted like frightened mice. First, he had to convince Betty. He forced his mind to concentrate. After a while, he decided he must be truthful to a point. Betty was no fool. He planned his story, then satisfied, he thought of Karen.
    God! That had been a mad, reckless mistake! He flinched at the thought that