fuses on the motherboard and the whole system crashed.”
Cobb frowned. “Sergeant Lewis claims no one was near it.” Computer Whiz looked skeptical. “Maybe Sergeant Lewis imagined pops and crackles and somebody’d already done the deed. Or maybe it’s like he said, he walks in and the system blows. In that case, invisible fairies must have been playing pin the tail on the poor damn computer. Take your pick, but somebody did it.” The chief looked morose. “Can you fix it?”
“Yeah.” The repairman sounded cheerful. “It’ll take a while.” 227
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Cobb’s face wrinkled. “How long? I’m in the middle of a murder investigation.” He pointed at the legal pad. “I’m having to write stuff out by hand.”
Computer Whiz shrugged. “I’ve done all I can do today. Got to order some parts from Oklahoma City. When I get them, it’ll be two days minimum. If all goes well.”
Chief Cobb grunted, returned to his table. When the door closed behind Computer Whiz, Cobb blew out a spurt of air, scrawled on his pad: Screwy stuff re Murdoch case
Victim’s cell phone missing from the crime scene. Had it in my hand, something poked me in the rear, I dropped it. It has never been found despite thorough search.
Anonymous call claimed murder weapon was on the back porch of the rectory. During search, golf balls thudded into a black trash bag full of cans. How did the golf balls get out of the bag? No one standing by bag.
Tip received that preacher’s wife got a red nightgown from victim at his cabin. Call made at three minutes after 8 P.M.
Thursday from pay phone outside Shell station on Comanche.
Cleaning lady Friday claimed she found a burned portion of a red silk nightgown in the fireplace. She picked it up and a woman screamed in the kitchen. The cleaning ladies fled. There was no trace of a nightgown when Det. Sgt. Price investigated. Nothing but ashes. Who was in the kitchen?
Tip came in Friday from library that murder weapon was in the Pritchard mausoleum. Librarian in next cubicle looked over.
Phone was in the air, slammed into receiver. Nobody there. Gun found as promised.
Fake police officer interviewed Joyce Talley, owner of the Green Door, Friday night. Impersonation discovered when Mrs.
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Talley called the police to insist Lily Mendoza had nothing to do with Murdoch murder. When contacted, Mendoza related she also was interviewed by a redheaded policewoman with a nameplate reading M Loy. Described her as attractive redhead in her late twenties, about five feet four inches tall and slender.
Corresponds to description given by Mrs. Talley.
I’d left rather a trail across Adelaide. Hopefully Officer Loy need not need appear again.
More screwy stuff possibly related to Murdoch case Friday afternoon Det. Sgt. Price spoke to a woman on the back porch of the rectory. Said she was drop- dead gorgeous.
I remembered looking into slate-blue eyes . . . I shook myself back to the present.
Wore a wedding ring. Expensive clothes under one of those blue cover- ups church ladies use. Hair covered by a turban with a bunch of fruit on it. Wonder if she was a redhead? Gave her name as Helen Troy. No Troys at St. Mildred’s. No one of that name is listed in any directory in the city or county. Description: Late twenties, about five feet five inches tall. Fair skin with a spattering of freckles.
I felt rather breathless. It didn’t take a badge to see the direction of Chief Cobb’s thoughts. Who was the unknown Mrs. Troy? Why was she cleaning the back porch of the rectory? I was afraid I’d erected a signpost reading crime scene.
Chief Cobb scrawled:
Intensify search for Troy.
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To-go sack taken from Lulu’s Friday evening. Front door opened, sack sped down sidewalk, nobody there. However, cash left on the counter with the check. Order for M. Loy.
Fake police officer M. Loy took custody of a black-and-tan dog from 817 Whitlock Street. Next-door neighbor called to commend police department on its new policy to rescue abused animals. Description of Loy corresponds to those given by Talley and Mendoza.
Loy? Troy? Some meaning there?
Computers blew Friday. Sgt. Lewis saw light on in my office, suspected intruder. Unlocked door, entered. Insists he surprised a witch at the computer who fled, climbing out of the window.
He was tripped, gun disappeared, window slammed shut, then computer whined, popped, and flashed, screen went dark.
