for Darcy to get a line on Johnny Dorman. He couldn’t expect much to happen until the following morning.
He was about to leave the office when the telephone bell rang. Frowning, he returned to his desk and picked up the receiver.
“Desk sergeant here, sir,” a voice barked in his ear. “There’s a guy just come in who wants to talk to the officer in charge of the Carson killing. Sergeant Donovan’s out. Do you want to see him?”
“Yes: send him up,” Adams said, hung his hat on the rack and sat down behind his desk.
After a three- or four-minute wait, a knock came on the door and a cop came in, followed by a tall, dark man whose pale face and haggard looks caught Adams’ interest.
“What can I do for you?” he asked.
“I’m Kenway Holland,” Ken said breathlessly. He waited until the cop had gone, then went on, “I’m the man you’re looking for. I was with Fay Carson last night.”
Adams stiffened, stared, then pushing back his chair he stood up. For a moment he was so surprised that he couldn’t think how to handle this unexpected situation, but he quickly recovered.
He looked steadily at Ken. Yes, the description matched. This guy looked too scared and ill to be a faker.
“Did you tell the desk sergeant who you are?” he asked sharply.