Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 71 — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION “Sure about that?” “I’m sure.” Joe rubbed the stubble on his chin. “Lem was down yesterday and lev- elled off that area. I’m sending the trucks over to the far side now. Then they work back until Lem can level whatthey dumped.” He peered at Mark. ““You don’t think I had anything to do with it, do you?’’ “Did you?” “Hell, no! I told you, I was taking a walk and saw a shoe. I phoned in as soon as I saw something was wrong.” Joe rubbed his chin again. ““They ~ were good shoes, too.” He seemed more upset about the loss of the shoes than that a man had died. “The picture’s clear,” said Stanley. “This old coot makes sure that the trucks dump their rubbish so that he can take his pickings. When he’s searched one lot he gets Lem to turn it over so as to make a second search.” He looked thoughtful. ““The body could have been dumped a couple of days ago under a load of 04 rubbish. Or it could have been planted last night.’ He glared at the old man. “‘What happens at night? Is the place locked?” “No.” Joe looked uncom- fortable. ““The gate’s busted. I’ve tried to keep it locked, but it’s no good. A lot of couples come down here to smooch; sometimes there’s as many as half a dozen cars, and the kids swarm all over the dump. I do my best, but I can’t be everywhere at once.”’ “Where were you last night?’ Mark glanced to- wards the cluster of men, then back at the old watch- man. “Do you stay on the job all the time?” “Mostly. Sometimes I take a walk into town to see a movie or take a drink.” Joe looked furtive. “You know how it is.” “I can guess. So you wouldn’t know whether a car drove in here on any one night or not.” “Not for sure,” admitted the old man. ‘‘Usually I hear them but pay no attention. conmiclsooksSscohn