The fool! Adams thought contemptuously. What a sucker he is for a woman! He’s scared stiff some young husky will make a pass when he’s not looking. If I were a slave like he is to that little bitch I’d shoot myself!
When Motley had gone, Howard turned his attention to Adams. He realized Adams had heard a lot more than he cared for him to know, and he glared at Adams angrily.
But the Lieutenant looked as if he was either asleep or miles away somewhere with his thoughts and his complete lack of interest somewhat reassured Howard.
“What are you doing about this killing, Adams?”
Adams gave an elaborate start, blinked at the Commissioner and his face became alert.
“I’m following the usual procudure sir. You have my report on the desk. There are no clues. We have a description of a man whom we believe went to her apartment about the time she died. Donovan is working on that angle. The killing of a prostitute is always a tricky nut to crack. There seems to have been no motive. Nothing was taken.”
“What are the chances of cracking this case in a hurry?” Howard asked, leaning forward across his desk and staring at Adams.
Adams shook his head.
“I wouldn’t count on it, sir. The guy may be a nut. If he doesn’t do it again, the chance aren’t good. She may have tried to blackmail him and he killed her to shut her mouth. We have checked through her apartment: there was nothing in it to tell us she did collect material for blackmail, but she may have a deposit box somewhere.”
“Do you think it was a nut?” Howard asked. Adams shook his head.