“Will you need me any more?” he asked hopefully.
“I may.”
“Okay,” said Joe, slamming the cab door. “I’ll stick around. You know, I kinda like this job.”
Once inside the police station, Penny inquired for Chief Jalman. Unable to see him, she asked to speak to the two detectives who had been assigned to her father’s case. Both men were away from the building.
“Why not talk to Carl Burns?” suggested the desk sergeant. “He’s familiar with the case.”
Penny was sent to see a heavy-set man who warmed himself by a steaming radiator. Evidently he had spent several hours in an unheated police car for he stamped his feet to restore circulation.
“Mr. Burns?” inquired Penny.
The man turned, staring at her. Penny returned the stare. She had seen the officer before and the recollection was not entirely pleasant. He was the same officer she had met near Mattie’s garage on the night of the blizzard.
“What may I do for you?” he asked.
Uncomfortably aware of the officer’s scrutiny, Penny began to tell of her visit to the Williams’ garage. She stammered a bit and lost confidence.