“I’ve changed my mind! I want to talk to Mattie Williams right away!”
Penny started the car. Driving with a mechanical, unthinking efficiency born of many years’ practice, she questioned Louise as to the source of her information. The girls were deep in a discussion when they heard someone shout. Salt Sommers had hailed them from the curb.
“Why, hello,” Penny greeted him, stopping the car with a jerk. “Any trouble at the Star?”
“Not from Schirr,” grinned Salt. “I’m hot-footing it to the Ladies Club to mug some dames pouring tea! For the society page.”
“Poor Salt!” smiled Penny, knowing how he hated trivial assignments.
“On your way to the office?” the photographer questioned.
Penny hesitated, then decided to confide in Salt. She repeated what Louise had told her about the Mattie Williams’ garage.
“Well, can you beat that!” the photographer exclaimed. “I don’t know Mattie and her partner well, but I always supposed they were honest. So they’re dealing in stolen tires!”
“We don’t know for sure,” Penny said hastily. “Our information is mostly founded on rumor.”
“And the tires may not be stolen ones,” contributed Louise. “I only heard they can be bought there.”