“Not a soul.”
“Nobody in this bunch?”
Conway knew Bauer well enough to realize that there was someone in this group the detective expected him to identify. He looked searchingly at each individual, but when he had gone from one end of the line to the other, and back again, he was forced to turn to Bauer and shake his head.
“Okay,” the detective said. “Let’s get out of here.” Conway followed him out of the room and into the hall. “We’re going down to Ramsden’s office.”
Conway fell into step with the detective as he tried to fathom the meaning of what was taking place. It seemed probable that they had turned up a suspect. But why should he be expected to recognize him? Surely there was no one in that last unkempt, unshaven lot he had ever seen before. A sudden recollection of Bauer’s previous disappointments almost made him smile; the detective, he feared, was in for another one this morning. Conway hoped he wouldn’t be too stubborn about this new suspect, whoever he was.
Captain Ramsden was evidently expecting them. “Good morning, Mr. Conway,” he said.
“Good morning, Captain. Nice to see you again.”
“Have a chair.” He turned to Bauer. “Well?”
“He claims he didn’t recognize him.”
“Really?” Ramsden looked at Conway. “There’s nothing to be gained by that, you know.”