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“Yes, he was here I’m off on Sundays, but my rooms overlook the front of the property and his car never ether on the patio on SundayLater that afternoon, Mr Robert called up and asked if I could help him rehearse his lines He’s very talented, you know”

“Could you estimate the time that Mrs Murphy left the house on Sunday?”

“No Like I said, it wasat the clock Besides, she doesn’t like to drive She usually uses a car service, so I couldn’t guess a time for you, since her car never left the driveway”

The housekeeper go

t the name and number of the service, and after Conklin thanked her, he returned to the sprawling drawing room and told the Murphys he’d be in touch as soon as his tea break or lead in the case

Once he got in the car, he called Cindy and talked to her as he drove home They clicked off when Rich was on Kirkhaht, and that’s when his phone rang with another call

It was Sackowitz

“We’ve got an ID on our John Doe,” Sac said “His name’s Samuel J Alton and he’s from San Bernardino He’s the senior VP in claims for Avantra Insurance He’s ular at the Warwick Hotel On the first Sunday of everyat Avantra’s main office on Beale Street”

“Interesting,” said Conklin “What are you thinking? Was Alton Joan’s boyfriend? An attacker? A random hookup?”

“I’et a look into the Warwick computer systems, and it turns out that Joan Murphy has a monthly reservation at the Warwick And it’s always on a Sunday night The first Sunday in the month, in fact”

Conklin said, “I’ve got to agree with you then Sounds like these tere having an ongoing affair Yet Joan’s husband tellsout on hi relationship,’ he told me And that’s a direct quote”

“Gee,” said Sac “Could the husband be telling you a lie?”

Conklin laughed

Sac said, “I’ to drive to San Berdoo I’ll notify Mrs Alton that her husband was shot to death in the aret drunk because that’s going to be one hell of a conversation You want to mention Samuel Alton’s name to Joan Murphy? See what happens?”

“Oh, yeah, I do The woman tells a fantastic story Can’t wait to hear what she comes up with this time”