Read Meet Me at the Morgue for Free Online

interfering with your plans?”
    Ann looked at me with a Mona Lisa smile. “Howie, you don’t mind if I stay with Helen?”
    It seemed to me that dealing with women was like playing blindfold chess against unidentified opponents. Ann had never hinted that she was in love with Larry Seifel, or even that she knew him. I had had a vain suspicion now and then that she was secretly rather fond of me. Now a shadowy triangle was taking shape between her and Seifel and Helen Johnson. I didn’t like it, but I said:
    “Why should I? I have things to do. I won’t be needing you. You’re more use here.”
    “What things, Mr. Cross?” Helen Johnson’s tone was sharp. Under other circumstances I would have resented it.
    “For one thing, I’m going into Fred Miner’s background. How long have you known him, Mrs. Johnson?”
    “Quite a long time, since 1945. He was in the Navy Hospital in San Diego. I was in charge of the orthopedic wards.”
    “Before your marriage?”
    “Naturally. I was a lieutenant in the nursing corps.”
    “Fred was a friend of yours, then, as well as an employee.”
    “I gave him his job, if that’s what you mean. Abel isn’t allowed to drive, and I dislike driving. Fred needed light work: he’s on partial disability. He was pleasant to have around. I suppose I was mainly responsible for keeping him on after that dreadful affair in February. I thought he should be given another chance.”
    “Why?”
    She glanced at me sharply. “Didn’t you?”
    “I did. But I’m interested in your reason.”
    “Why, I—” She stammered and paused. “I believe in tolerance, I suppose. I’ve had bad breaks in my own life, and people have been tolerant with me. I try to pass it on.”
    “You’re a generous woman.”
    “No, I don’t claim that. I do believe that people are entitled to at least one big mistake. Fred’s been a decent sort as long as I’ve known him. He drank too much one night and ran over a man—even if he knew he’d hit him, it’s understandable why he ran away. He’d had bad experiences in the war. Maybe he panicked. It could happen to anybody.”
    “You’re still his advocate, then?”
    “I wouldn’t say that. At the moment I’m quite confused. In a thing like this, it’s hard to keep hold of reality. When I let myself go I’m suspicious of everyone.”
    The conversation was obviously becoming a strain on her. Ann shook her head and frowned slightly.
    I finished my black coffee and stood up. “Is it all right with you if I make a few inquiries in town? We should see whether the money’s been picked up; there may have been a witness. I think you can trust my discretion.”
    “Do as you think best, Mr. Cross.” Her gaze was dark and deep, lit by shifting green lights. “I have to trust someone, don’t I?”
    Going back along the curved side of the pool, I kept away from the water’s edge. I had a strange fear of falling in, though I had never been afraid of water.

 
    CHAPTER 6 :       
There was a witness, but he was
blind. A small gray sign on the newsstand counter said: B LIND O PERATOR . The man behind the counter wore frosted glasses and spoke in the slow, clear accents of the sightless:
    “What can I do for you, sir?”
    I had just stepped into the shop, and hadn’t spoken. “How did you know I was a man?” I knew by experience that sightless people seldom resented a direct reference to their loss.
    He smiled. “Your footsteps, naturally. I’m sensitive to sound. You’re a fairly big man, I’d guess. About six feet?”
    “You hit it on the nose.”
    “I usually do. I’m five foot nine myself, you’re about three inches taller. It’s not too hard to estimate the level of the mouth. Now your weight. About one sixty-five?”
    “One eighty,” I said, “unfortunately.”
    “You’re light on your feet for one eighty. Just a second, now. I’ll guess your age.”
    “Aren’t you getting into the psychic department?”
    “No, sir. Voices change