“Is this a genuine Double Z note?”
“It looks like one. If there is such a person as Double Z, it is probably genuine.”
“What do you mean — if there is a Double Z—”
“It may simply be a ruse adopted by different criminals,” explained Cardona. “But in this case it may be Double Z. He had told us of several murders before they occurred — but they may not have been of his doing.”
“I understand that,” replied Ward. “Caulkins covered some of the Double Z cases and was working on them as the Wise Owl. Double Z, I understand, is presumably a fanatic, who has a remarkable knowledge of what is going on in the criminal world.”
“Look here,” declared Cardona. “I’m going to give you some theories. But lay off of any wild stuff. Work with us. This hits home. It’s one of your own reporters. Get me?”
Dale Ward nodded.
“A number of people have received Double Z threats,” said Cardona. “Now, the way I figure it is this. Caulkins may have received that note and kept mum about it. But that’s hardly likely, eh?”
“Not unless he got it after he went out this afternoon,” responded Ward.
“All right, then. Maybe he received it then. Sent to him by the bird that killed him. Now, why did Caulkins go to that house on East Eightieth Street?”