“Lots of girls live on less.”
“Sure, but not millionaire’s daughters.” I picked up the paper-knife and began to dig holes in the blotter. “So Janet didn’t leave a will. That means Eudora didn’t come into a legacy. Then from where was she getting her money?” I looked up and stared thoughtfully at Paula.
“Suppose she knew about Maureen’s drug cure? Suppose Maureen was paying her to keep her mouth shut? It’s an idea. Then I come along, and Eudora thinks she can screw a little money out of Maureen. She tells me to call back at nine, and puts through a telephone call either to Maureen or her representative who might be Dr. Salzer. In fact, could be Dr. Salzer. ‘Let’s have some more dough or I’ll talk,’ she might have said. Salzer sends Dwan down to reason with her. Instead, or even acting on orders, Dwan knocks her off. How do you like that?”
“It sounds all right,” Paula said dubiously. “But it’s guess work.”
“That’s right. It’s guess-work. Still, I don’t dislike it myself.” I made three more little holes in the blotter before saying, “I think I’d better have another word with Nurse Gurney. Look, Paula, she’s off duty during the day. Will you phone the Nurses’ Association and see if you can get her private address? Spin them a yarn. They’ll probably let you have it.”
While she was out of the office I had another nip out of the bottle and lit another cigarette.
First, Nurse Gurney, I told myself, and then Glynn & Coppley.
Paula came back after a few minutes and placed a slip of paper on my disfigured blotter.
“Apartment 246, 3882 Hollywood Avenue,” she told me. “Did you know she’s one of Dr. Salzer’s nurses?”
“She is?” I pushed back my chair. “Well, what do you know? It keeps coming back to Salzer, doesn’t it? “I edged my out-tray towards her. “There’s not much here. Nothing you can’t cope with.”