A stone cast upon the serene surface of a new day, and from the impact ever-widening ripples would spread swiftly to rock the foundations of various human lives. There was a feeling of tensity in the clean air of the new morning, as though it held its breath expectantly, waiting for the discovery which would set inexorable forces in motion.
Shayne turned from the window and went to the telephone. He called the telegraph office and directed a message to his wife on her train speeding northward. It read simply,
Everything under control at this end but I am like a rudderless ship without you. May be detained here another day. I love you. Mike.
He then called a rental agency and ordered a car sent around.
He broke that connection and called the Burt Stallings home on Swordfish Island. Mrs. Briggs’s militant voice answered the ring. He put his lips close to the mouthpiece and in a disguised voice said, “Federal bureau for the prevention of the spread of contagious diseases calling. We are conducting a statistical survey in this area and we have information concerning an unreported case of contagion at this address. We are sending an inspector out to investigate. We expect your full co-operation.”
“There’s some mistake,” Mrs. Briggs protested. “There is no case of contagious disease here.”
“We have to check up on all reports,” Shayne told her sternly. “However, if you’ll give me the name of the attending physician we might take the matter up with him directly.”
“I’m sure Doctor Patterson will give you all the information you require.” Mrs. Briggs’s sigh of relief was transmitted over the wire. “Doctor R. Lloyd Patterson of Miami Beach has been seeing Mrs. Stallings every day and I’m quite sure—”
“Thank you. It’s possible there has been some mistake.” Shayne hung up and looked in the telephone book for Patterson, R. Lloyd. He found two Miami Beach numbers listed under the doctor’s name. One said Sanitarium and the other Res. He tried the residence number first. After the phone had rung for a long time a feminine Swedish accent answered. Shayne asked for Dr. Patterson.
“The doctor is at the sanitarium and isn’t expected in this morning.”