With Jerry and Penny, he entered the bedroom. Everything was in perfect order. However, Mrs. Deline’s suitcase was gone and all her belongings had been removed from the closet.
“She’s skipped without paying her room rent!” the maid exclaimed. “I’ll call the manager!”
Penny was peering into the waste paper basket beside the desk.
“Look!” she drew the attention of her father and Jerry. “Burned letters and papers!”
Digging into the basket, she brought up several charred sheets of paper. They were unreadable and crumpled in her hand.
“This was a bad break for us—Mrs. Deline getting away!” Jerry exclaimed in disgust. “Evidently her work at Sunset Beach is finished. She’s moving on to another pasture.”
“But she can’t be far away,” Penny reasoned. “After all, we know when she came to her room.”
“There still may be a chance to nab her,” Mr. Parker said. “We’ll notify the police to guard all the roads and the airport. I’ll report to Major Gregg too.”
Without awaiting the arrival of the hotel manager, the trio hastened to the lobby. There Jerry and Mr. Parker made several telephone calls.
“Now let’s be on our way up the beach,” Jerry urged anxiously. “We’ve killed too much time as it is.”