“Give them the details you told me, Crowell,” he added to the detective.
Crowell talked with the reporters near the door, while Zull continued his search for clews. Burke was listening to Crowell’s story; but he was watching the inspector from the corner of his eye.
Acting Inspector Zull was a unique figure on the New York force. He had a considerable reputation as an investigating detective. He usually arrived to make special notes and check with the detectives later.
It was on this account that Burke displayed his surreptitious interest in the inspector’s actions.
Burke knew that he could check on Detective Crowell’s statement with the other reporter. He wanted to learn whatever else he might through observation of Acting Inspector Zull.
There was a look of satisfaction on Zull’s face as he continued his work, not knowing that he was being observed. That was surprising to Burke, because Zull did not appear to be finding anything unusual.
Zull had a poker face — one that registered emotions to a slight degree, but did not change frequently. It was only because Zull thought himself free from observation that he indulged in a sudden change of facial expression. His eyes chanced to notice something that lay on a small bookcase a few feet to the left of the chair which held the body of Harkness.
It was a pad of paper. Zull started to step across the room. Burke could tell that his objective was the pad.
Suddenly, Zull stopped. He turned to Detective Crowell.
“That’s enough here, Crowell,” he snapped. “Take the boys downstairs if you want to tell them more.”