He waited hopefully, tugging at his left ear. “That’s the man. The old miner who ducked out without any explanation. He had a daughter named Nora…”
“That’s right. She’s an actress now. She’s here in Central City appearing in the play. Here’s what I want to know: Are there any other relatives still living?”
He let go of his ear as he listened. “None at all? You’re quite sure? That brings up a difficulty. Do you know anyone now living in Telluride who knew Dalcor intimately before he disappeared? You knew him as well as anyone? That’s great. Could you come to Central City right away to help us solve a couple of murders?”
Shayne’s face brightened.
“It’s damned important, and it’s mighty swell of you to help us. I’ll look for you around six tonight. At the Teller House, as soon as you reach town. Thanks a million, Mr. Raton.”
He hung up and shook his head wonderingly. “These Westerners continue to amaze me. He’s leaving Telluride in his car right away. He say’s it’s only a few hundred miles. By God, Phyl, can you imagine how my ears would be ringing if I’d made a request like that to a complete stranger back home? This man never heard of me in his life, yet he gets out of bed and starts driving just because I ask him to. With that sort of cooperation, I may pull this thing out of the bag yet.”
He went to pick up his wineglass, set it down without lifting it to his lips. He strode back to the telephone and lifted the receiver again. This time Phyllis listened while he got Dr. Fairweather on the other end of the wire.
He said, “I’ve been worrying about Meade’s condition, Doctor. I’m afraid I left a rather bad impression with you — that I didn’t care whether he recovered or not just so I had a chance to question him.”
He grinned as he listened to the doctor. “I did give you that impression, eh? Well, I want to correct it, Doctor. I don’t want you to do anything not in the best interest of your patient. I’m even having a deputy sheriff sent up to sit with him. If you feel it will be safer to keep Meade under a hypo all day tomorrow…”
“By all means, do that. Preserving a human life is far more important than solving a couple of murders. Just forget my impatient attitude. I’ll fold my hands and compose my soul until, say around dark. Seven o’clock, or seven-thirty.”