Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, December 1956 — page 34: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

33 an admission, Mr. Carver. “Liz was quite a girl.” “You were seen with her?” He shrugged. “It’s no secret. She had a reputation, and I’m a strang- er, Small town people remember strangers.” “What do you suppose she was doing out here last night?” “Who?” “Liz Peterson,” I said patiently. “Good question. You got me.” “You didn’t see her last night?” “T sure as hell didn’t.” “Has she ever been out here with you?” He looked off in the direction of Miss Everly’s room and returned his gaze to me. “She sure as hell hasn’t,” he breathed fervently. “Did Burns or Miss Everly know her?” He shrugged again, carelessly. “T sure as hell don’t know.” “You sure as hell better keep yourself available,” I advised him. He stared at me. He was wiping his razor when I left. | The den was deserted. I used the phone on the desk. After a mo- ~ ment the shrill, nasal voice of Tillie Monroe filtered through the in- strument. “Operator,” she said. “This is Sheriff Marking,” I told her. “Are we alone?” “What?” “Are we on a closed circuit, or can others listen?” “Tt’s a closed circuit.” “Good. I need some answers and I think you can help me,” I ex- plained. “I must caution you not to repeat a word of our conversa- tion to—” “Why, Tom Marking!” she ex- postulated. “You know I never “Of course, Tillie,” I soothed. “More a reminder than anything else.” “Well, I should certainly hope so, I mean, after all.’ “Tillie, within the last two or three weeks have there been any calls for Mr. Rod Carver?” “You mean long distance calls?” “Long distance or local.” “Well, there ain’t been any long distance calls. Local, of course, I wouldn’t be knowing about . unless I just happened to hear someone ask for him after I made the connection.” “And did you?” “What?” “Just happen to hear someone ask for him?” “Oh. Yes, once or twice, now that I come to think about it. It was a woman. Both times. She called from... .” Tillie broke it off and backed up. “That is, as I. remember, she called from the Rod and Gun Club.” “I see. And Mr. Carver was at home in each instance?” “Yes. She talked to him both times. Seemed to think she had some kind of date with him. He was always polite, talked to her in a low voice. Sounded like a real 32 ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S MYSTERY MAGAZINE ECOMMICLOOCKS sO)