5 Detective Novels Magazine Cover — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

MEAT OF THE MURDER out of the kitchen to take his order per- sonally. Mama always gave Ted a little special Service and today she was sympathetic about his wife. She’d read the papers. She meant well, but it was tough get- ting rid of her. Fortunately, no one in the place seemed to pay any attention to the fuss she made over him. She finally went back to her kitchen, and Ted said to Loreen, “I want to talk to you.” Bennett looked up from his lunch, asked, “Shall I leave?” Ted shook his head. “No, you might as well know about this. Loreen, what TRIBUTE by SAM L. MANN Here’s to our friend, the traffic cop, He knows when to “Go” and when to ‘““Stop”’— How happy all our lives would be If we were only smart as he! did you do with Steve last night? He isn't at the cabin. I just came back from there.” “Do you mind if I answer that ques- tion for Loreen?” asked Bennett. | “I’m not particular.” “Loreen drove Steve by my place last night, late. I’d just come in from the meeting at the Palace Hotel. She said you’d ask her to pick Steve up and drive him to Boulder Creek, and when she did—pick him up—he told her about Betty being killed. She didn’t know whether she was doing the right thing. It sounded to her as though you might have made a snap decision which might get us into trouble.” Ted studied Loreen while Bennett 23 was speaking. She was as lovely as she’d ever been, as desirable—but not to him. The sleek figure, the conformation of her body still showed beneath her Palm Beach suit. The long, graceful, beauti- fully kept hands. The hair still long and soft and very blond indeed. But she wasn’t Ted’s woman. Not as of that minute. Vv | i “pres oe continued apologizing for Loreen. “After all, Ted, anyone can make a mistake—under stress.” “Yeah,” Ted said. “So what did you two cool minds decide about Steve? That’s all I’m interested in.” “Steve is all right,” Bennett assured him. “I’m looking out for him.” “Thanks,” snapped Ted. “But Steve’s my responsibility.” “Look,” Bennett argued quietly. “Be reasonable, Ted. You’re in a spot. The police are watching every move you make. I saw a couple of the boys at the plant thi; morning. They weren’t there to check out trucks. You’re not In a position to do anything for Steve. I am. Can’t we leave it there?” “No,” answered Steve, moving his head emphatically. “We can’t. There’s been a slight change in the plot. Steve is no longer the hottest suspect the po- lice have for Betty’s death. I am. If anything should happen to Steve now, I'd be more than a suspect. I'd be a lead-pipe cinch. I want to make sure nothing happens to him, take him with me when I turn myself in at the Hall of Justice.” Loreen choked and put her hand to her throat. “How can they think you-— ?” ‘“HKhzabeth was planning a divorce,” Ted interrupted her. “She’d hired a de- tective, who came over to see me this morning, wanted to sell the report he’d prepared for her to use in court.” “Did you buy it?” Bennett asked, tense. Ted wagged his head. “No.” “You poor damn fool!” pronounced Bennett solemnly. “Are you eager to take this rap for Steve?” “No,” stated Ted. “And I don’t mean to be in anyone’s book as a sucker who’d AMICLOOO (CO) S (Co)