Penny had no opportunity to ask additional questions for just then voices were heard in the hallway. As she opened the door, Jerry Livingston, followed by a policeman, came toward her.
“Learn anything?” the reporter asked softly in her ear.
“A little,” answered Penny. “Let’s see how much the officer turns up before I go into my song and dance.”
Making a routine inspection of the rooms, the police questioned both the maid and the janitor. From an elderly lady who occupied the adjoining suite he gleaned information that the Kohls’ telephone had rung steadily for fifteen minutes during the early evening hours.
“What time was that?” interposed Penny.
The policeman gazed at her with sharp disapproval. “Please,” he requested with exaggerated politeness.
“Sorry,” apologized Penny, fading into the background.
“It rang about eight o’clock,” the old lady revealed.
“The information is not significant,” said the officer, glancing again at Penny.
She started to speak, then bit her lip, remaining silent.