'Who are you?'
'I'm Jim Hawley of the house staff. I don't think there's anyone in there-I'll see-'
But there was an interruption. The door to the anteroom opened, and in came a delegation of four. In front was a dick whom I recognized as a member of the squad, next came a lady, next my friend Pete with unmatched eyes, and bringing up the rear a cop in uniform. The lady wore a gray coat with a squirrel collar and had a blue leather bag under her arm, but I didn't presume on old acquaintance by speaking to her.
Chapter 4
Cramer took in the influx with a glance and asked, 'What have you got, Murphy?'
'Yes, sir.' The dick stood with his shoulders straight. He was the military type. 'At or about half past four o'clock this young woman was seen in the corridor opening the door leading to the Rucker and Dill exhibit.'
'Who saw her?'
'I did,' Pete spoke up.
'Who are you?'
'I am Pete Arango. I work for Updegraff Nurseries. That's my boss there, Mr. Updegraff. I went through the door at the back of our exhibit, into the corridor, to get some cookies, and I-'
'To get what?'
'Cookies. I eat cookies. In my locker in the corridor.'
'Okay. You eat cookies. And saw what?'
'I saw her opening that door. Rucker and Dill. After all what happened I remembered it and I told a cop-
'Did she go inside?'
Pete shook his head. 'She saw me and she shut the door.'
'Did she say anything?'
'No, she didn't have anything to say.'
'Did you?'
'No, I went to my locker and got the cookies, and she must have gone away because when I came back she wasn't there. Then when I got back on the floor and saw-'
Cramer turned to the young woman. 'What's your name?'
'None of your business!' she snapped.
'Yes, sir,' the dick said. 'She won't co-operate.'
'What do you mean, I won't co-operate?' She was indignant, but I wouldn't have said she looked scared. 'I admit I opened the door and looked in, don't I? I got into the corridor by mistake and I was looking for a way out. And why should I have to tell you my name and get my name in the papers-'
'Why didn't you get out the way you got in?'
'Because I got in away around at the other side, and I just thought… hey! Hello there!'
Everyone looked the way she was looking, which resulted in all of us looking at Fred Updegraff. Fred himself turned red and was turning redder, as he met her gaze.
'Well,' he said, and seemed to think he had said something.
'It was you,' she said, 'there with the door open, stooping down there peeking in when you heard me.'
'Sure,' Fred acknowledged, 'sure it was me.'
'The Rucker and Dill door?' Cramer demanded.
'Yes.'
'Were you looking for a way out too?'
'No.'
'What were you looking for?'
'I was-' Fred swallowed it. He looked red and flustered, and then all of a sudden he looked relieved. There was no telling what sort of idea had popped into his head that relieved him and pleased him so much, but he certainly showed it. He spoke louder as if he didn't want anyone to miss it: 'I was looking at Miss Tracy. I've been doing that all week. My name is Fred Updegraff and I'm an exhibitor here. I was looking at Miss Tracy!' It sounded as if he almost thought he was singing it.
Cramer was unimpressed. 'I'll have a talk with you later, Mr. Updegraff.' He turned to the Sergeant. 'Purley, you stay here with Mr. Updegraff and Goodwin and this young woman and this man Pete. Murphy, come with me and Miss Tracy. The rest of you can go if you want-'
'Just a minute.' Hewitt, who hadn't sat down again, moved a step. 'I am Lewis Hewitt.'
