“Which was pitch-dark,” prompted Cardona.
“And the killer got him!” Burke went on. “Caught him as he was coming back. Choked him to death. Long, heavy pressure. Then the murderer must have left, very quickly.”
“He did leave. Before Middleton came along, as I reckon it,” Cardona agreed.
“How do you explain Middleton’s action?” asked Burke.
“Simply enough,” said Cardona. “He may have gone to find Blefken. I thought that at first; but I figure it different, now.
“I think Middleton was beating it. Nervous. He was on his way to that side door — hesitating, maybe but when he stumbled across the body, he kept right on going.
“Why?” questioned Clyde.
“Why?” echoed Cardona. “Plenty of reason why. He’d have been the goat. What was he doing in the place?
“He had come to prevent Blefken’s murder. He had failed. Only Blefken knew about it; at least, that’s what Middleton thought.”
“I see,” said Clyde. “Say, that all fits together, Joe! You think Middleton was on the level, then?”