15 Story Detective, April 1950 — page 60: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

60 45 Stor Detective CHAPTER TWO ' Sentimental Guy HEN he saw her come out of the \\, doorway and hesitate for a mo- ment, Barry moved forward out of the shadows. She turned quickly. “Barry! We’ve been trying to find you!” “Who’s we?” he said, She pulled him around so that the streetlight was on his face. “What’s hap- pened? You look so much better than you did.” “T feel better, honey. How about the steak house?” “Fine!” She took his arm and they went diagonally across the midnight street and down the flight of stairs to the basement room that was a favorite spot for the Courier employees. . They ordered. She said, “I knew something happened. Kyle and I decided that the man to talk to was George Deever. Kyle phoned him. He was pretty cagey. Finally he told Kyle to put me on. He told me that you’d give me the details. What made you go to him, Barry?” “He sent his boys after me. One of them is named Doc. That one you've got to meet some time.” “Don’t waste time, darling! happened ?” He repeated the conversation. She had a dazed look. “Barry, who on earth would think that River City had a setup like that. I thought, working on the paper and all, that I knew what goes on. Why, if we could break that it would make the biggest yarn that ever hit the street. But we'll never, never, never be able to get names and facts and places. Do you think Stackie will talk?” Barry said grimly, ‘“Willingly or un- willingly, he’ll talk.” : She reached over and touched his What hand. “Keep it buttoned down, Barry. Don’t let it blow. When are you going to do it?” “T gave Deever the key to my room. He says that his beys will have the re- corder installed tonight. It’s probably in by now. We decided to put the unit in the windowseat with the switch right un- der the edge. He says it’s absolutely soundless. I’m goimg to try to get Stackie up there tomorrow morning. Hey, here’s Kyle.” She looked at him and said in a hushed voice, “Something’s wrong.” Kyle came to the table and gave them a forced smile. “Smile back at me,” he said. “I’m going to go back out and get my car. Give me a thirty second lead and then come out. I’ll pick you up in front.” | “What's happened?” Laura asked. “Tell you later. Remember, thirty sec- onds.” Kyle walked out. Barry paid the check. Laura’s eyes were wide. She walked ahead of him, smiling back over her shoulder in a strained way. Just as they reached the sidewalk Kyle drove up in his three year old convertible. The door swung open. Barry climbed in after Laura. The car was moving even before he’d slammed the door. “What is it, Kyle?” “You've got a gun and a _ permit, haven’t you, McBride?” “Ves.” ; “Maybe you've still got the permit. You haven’t got the gun any more. The cops have it and they’re looking for you. One of Deever’s neighbors up in Broad- view heard shots about forty-five minutes ago, and they reported it. Somebody shot George twice in the face with your gun, McBride. The number was on file at headquarters. He’s very dead. They left the gun there beside him. He was found in his driveway just outside the gate to his property. There isn’t much time. Where were you forty-five minutes ago?” % Eomicbooks (EO)