“Thanks,” Bender said. He went out the gate, latched it and recrossed the narrow footbridge to the car. He said to the driver: “Drop me at the Odd Fellows' Hall.”
Going back he asked the driver if he knew anything about the shooting of Jeff Peebles' daughter. The driver said he didn't know any more than anybody else. They killed the girl all right and the sheriff arrested two guys named Botchey Miller and Pack Patton but they were released on bail or something right away.
Bender asked him where it happened.
The driver replied that the girl was killed down the street from the hotel in front of the Happy Hour Club.
“What kind of a dump is that?” Bender asked.
“Well,” the driver explained; “it's supposed to be a pool-hall but they run it wide open. You can find any kind of a game and get any kind of a drink. I mean, strangers and everybody can.”
“Who runs it?”
“Botchey Miller,” the driver said. “Patton runs the Fishtail Club out on the Amarillo road.”
“Roadhouses too?” said Bender.
“Sure. Botchey's got one out beyond Jeff Peebles' place about two miles.”