Friday The Rabbi Slept Late

with something. There were no signs of struggle, no scratches, no torn clothing. On the other hand, she wasn't wearing a dress-just a slip, with a light topcoat and one of those transparent plastic raincoats over that. From what we have right now, there are no signs of struggle. The poor girl didn't have a chance. This chain she was wearing is what they call a choker, I believe. It closely encircles the neck. The murderer had only to grab it in back and twist.'

'Terrible,' the rabbi murmured, 'terrible. And you think this was done on temple grounds?'

Lanigan pursed his lips. 'We're not sure where it happened. For all we know, she could have been killed elsewhere.'

'Then why was she brought there?' asked the rabbi, ashamed that his mind automatically reverted to thoughts of a scheme to discredit the Jewish community with some fantastic plot of ritual murder.

'Because, when you come to think of it, it's not a bad place for the purpose. You might think that out here in the suburbs there'd be any number of places where you could dispose of a body, but actually there aren't. Most of the likely places are apt to be under someone's view. Places where there are no houses tend to become lovers' lanes. No, I'd say the temple area would be one of the best spots. It's dark, there are no houses in the immediate vicinity, and there's not likely to be anyone around most nights.' He paused and then said, 'By the way, between what times were you there?'

'You are wondering if I heard or saw anything?'

'Ye-es.'

The rabbi smiled. 'And you would also like to know how I was myself engaged during the critical time. Very well. I left my house around half-past seven or eight o'clock. I'm not sure of the time because I don't have the habit of glancing at my watch. Most of the time I don't bother to wear one. I had been having tea with my wife and Mr. Wasserman, the president of our congregation, when Stanley-he's our janitor-stopped by to tell me that a box of books I had been expecting had arrived and was now in my study. I excused myself and got into my car and drove to the temple. I left only minutes after Stanley left, so between my wife and Mr. Wasserman and Stanley you should be able to get pretty close to the exact time. I parked my car and let myself into the temple and went directly to my study on the second floor. I stayed until after twelve. I know that because I happened to glance at the clock on my desk and saw that it was midnight and decided I should be getting back. I was in the middle of a chapter, however, so I didn't leave immediately.' He had a sudden idea. 'This might help you to fix the time with greater precision: just before I arrived home, there was a sudden cloudburst and I had to sprint the rest of the way. I suppose somebody, the weather bureau perhaps, keeps an accurate record of the weather.'

'That was at 12:45. We checked that first thing because the girl was wearing a raincoat.'

'I see. Well, normally it takes me twenty minutes to walk from the temple to my house. I know because we do it every Friday evening and Saturday. But I think I walked more slowly last night. I was thinking of the books I had read.'

'But on the other hand, you ran part of the way.'

'Oh, that was just the last hundred yards or so. Call it twenty-five minutes and I think that would be fairly accurate. That would mean that I left the temple at twenty past.'

'Did you meet anyone on the way?'

'No, just the police officer. I suppose he knew me because he said good evening.'

'That would be Officer Norman.' He smiled. 'He wouldn't have to know you to say good evening. He rings in at one o'clock at the box on Vine Street just beyond the temple. I'll be able to get the time from him when I see him.'

'You mean he records it?'

'Probably not, but he'll remember. He's a pretty good man. Now, when you entered the temple, you turned on the light, I suppose.'

'No, it wasn't dark yet.'

'But you turned on the light in your study of course.'

'Of course.'

'So that anyone passing by would have seen it.'

The rabbi considered. Then he shook his head. 'No, I turned on my desk lamp rather than the overhead light. I opened the window, of course, but I lowered the Venetian blind.'

'Why?'

'Frankly, so that I wouldn't be interrupted. A member of the congregation might pass by and see the light and come up to chat.'

'So no one approaching the temple would guess anyone was there. Is that right, rabbi?'

The rabbi thought a moment and then nodded.

The police chief smiled.

'This has some significance for you?'

'Well, it might help to clarify the time element. Suppose the light could be seen. Then that, in conjunction with your car in the parking lot, would indicate that someone was still in the building and might come out at any time. If that were the case, it would be fair to assume the body had been deposited behind the wall after you left. But with no light showing, it might be assumed your car had been left for the night perhaps because you couldn't get it started. Under those circumstances, the body could have been dropped while you were still upstairs. Now the medical examiner's first estimate was that the girl was killed around one o'clock. At this point in his examination, that's just an educated guess. If your light had been visible, it would tend to corroborate his estimate, but since the light could not be seen the girl could have been dropped near the wall while you were in your study, and that could have been anytime from the early evening on.'

'I see.'

'Now think carefully, rabbi, did you hear or see anything unusual-a cry? the sound of an automobile driving onto the parking lot?'

The rabbi shook his head.

'And you saw no one either while you were in your study or on your way home?'

'Only the police officer.'

'Now you say you do not know Elspeth Bleech. Is it possible that you know her but not by name? After all, she lived with the Serafinos no great distance from the temple.'

'It is possible.'

'A girl of nineteen or twenty, blonde, about five feet four, a little on the stocky side but not unattractive. Perhaps later I'll be able to show you a picture.'

The rabbi shook his head. 'I don't recognize her from your description. It would fit many girls I may have seen. Nothing comes to mind at the moment, however.'

'Well, let me put it this way: did you give anyone a lift in your car in the last day or two who might answer that description?'

The rabbi smiled and shook his head. 'A rabbi, no less than a priest or a minister, finds it necessary to be circumspect about those things. I would be no more likely to offer a lift to a strange young woman then they would. One's congregation might misinterpret it. No, I gave no one a lift.'

'Could your wife perhaps?'

'My wife doesn't drive.'

Lanigan rose and held out his hand. 'You've been very cooperative, rabbi, and I appreciate it.'

'Any time.'

At the door, Lanigan paused. 'I hope you won't be needing your car for a little while. My boys are checking it over.'

The rabbi looked his surprise. 'You see, the girl's handbag was found in it.

9

Hugh Lanigan knew Stanley, just as he knew all the Old Towners. He found him working in the vestry, setting