The Baby Jane Murders Read Online Free

Go
on."
    "I rec kon that the thief wanted to steal it, somebody disturbed
him and he put it in the wrong place. You see?"
    "Why do you
think we can find the thief with the help of this can?"
    "There must be
his fingerprints on it."
    "You didn't
handle it?"
    "Sure I did, how els e would I bring it to you? My fingerprints will be
newer than the thief's ones. I think."
    "The can is a bit warped. "
    "It must have
fallen somewhere. What about it?"
    "Nothing. I just wondered why you sell warped cans. That's
all. Thank you very much for your effort. Here is ten dollars for
the coke and your train fare. I ’ll keep the can for examination. Now I
have to get back to work. Much obliged."
    "What?"
    "Never mind. Have a nice day, Miss Baldwin. Goodbye."
    Angelina hesitantly left and
Kroupa took a deep breath, shook his head and let out a loud sigh
of relief. "What a dill." He took the can with his two fingers by
its top edges and carefully placed it in a plastic bag. It was too
tall for it, and he solved the problem by putting another bag over
it. Then he rang the editorial office of the local Gazette. "Any
interesting stories for the next issue?"
    "Nothing important. 'The ‘Lost Bear gallery' reported a missing dog
Nugget, some parents have reported the abduction of their teenage
kids Greg and Mark, and there’s a missing talking parrot called
Shakespeare, that's all. It’ll all be resolved before we go to
print. Have you got anything interesting? Please? What’s new with
the Winterbottom case? Did the Whiteford woman do it? It would be a
great story. Best friend kills neighbour. Invent something if you
have to. Suspicion, possible leads, anything printable. It's a dead
season… the kids are off school, there are a lot of public holidays
– we’re desperate for stories. When you come up with something...
anything, you’ll call me straightaway, won’t you?
Please!"
    "With all due respect, it's you who should provide me with
information and gossip. After all, you know the people around here.
We’ll keep in touch." Kroupa had an idea and headed for
Winterbottom's house. The place had been left untouched. He noticed
the slanted mirror, unwashed cups and plates, two of each, probably
left from previous visits. He wondered if it was Miss Whiteford who
had been visiting. He looked around the kitchen and saw an open
coke can on the window ledge. It was slightly damaged, as if
somebody had unskilfully tried to open it. An old lady with clumsy
hands perhaps? However, another damaged coke can was on his mind,
namely the present from Angelina . He carefully took the newly discovered can off the window
ledge and placed it into another two plastic bags. 'What a
coincidence.' He grimaced happily.
    He slowly walked to the hotel, put on a tie and
jacket, placed the two coca cola cans in a tote, called Sara, who
didn't mind going out, and both set off for the police station in
the scorching heat.
    "You wanna see Milton?" the woman behind the counter greeted
him.
    Kroupa was surprised by her tone of familiarity. "Senior Constable
Milton? Yes, I'd like to see him."
    "Mr Kroupa, how do you do? What brings you here and how can I help
you?"
    " Can we go into your office?"
    "Certainly, bu t it's messy there. I wish I were brought up to be
tidy. It's too late now. Not even Mandy can teach me." He smiled at
the policewoman.
    Kroupa
correctly assumed the Mandy was the young woman behind the counter.
He followed Milton to his office.
    "So, what can
I do for you?" Milton asked.
    Kroupa carefully took the two cans out of his canvas tote, one full and
the other now empty. "Could you please check these cans for
fingerprints against the exemplar prints on your
database?"
    "Is that all?"
wondered Milton.
    "And I would li ke to have a talk with Sandra Whiteford. Is that
possible?"
    "You want to talk to her right now?"
    "If it's
possible, yes."
    "If she's not
asleep, I guess so. Let me check."
    After a few minutes he returned. "She is in the waiting