The Dust of Death

Chapter 13

 "Cupid! Cupid," Phalen said, exasperated that his friend let the phone ring over a dozen times before answering it, "I simply can't make the surveillance of Mr. Lime, tonight."

"What do you mean you can't make it?" Flix said. "I'm in the middle of something that may prove helpful to the authorities. There is no way I can possibly take your place. I was going to go over it with you, but you never showed up. The little girl who is missing. I was at the park. Jessie's dog bolted into the woods and found a body. I believe it's the missing little girl that's been in the papers. As luck would have it, some conceited coroner named Blaine was walking through there, too. He took over at once. I have never seen a more incompetent man in all my life! And I am sure he has wrecked any chance of solving this crime.
"But I told Father Tom . . ." Phalen said.

"This is important, Phalen," Flix said, cutting Phalen off. "Blaine is convinced her body will tell him all he needs to know about the murderer. Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous! He has no intentions of investigating the scene. None! For Dr. Blaine, it's all about the body. His focus is on nothing else. He told me that the wooded area where the body was discovered is nothing but a refuse dump for park visitors. He totally dismissed my objections that the police comb the area. He only wished to get the little girl out of the woods and onto his table!

I asked him about searching the woods for clues. He told me, basically, to help myself! Can you believe it!

But I took him up on his offer.

I was left in the woods with many things that may be evidence. I collected samples of dirt, leaves, and debris in the grave and the surrounding area near where her body was discovered. I have a small window screen, and I am going to sift the dirt to see if I find anything.

Although, I'm sure a lot of it will prove to have nothing at all to do with the little girl's body. I'm afraid Dr. Blaine is right about one thing, that area does seem to be a dumping ground. It was littered with refuse. I have an apartment full of evidence that I collected, but it may prove an impossible task to tell what is important and what has been left there as trash by innocent visitors. I am determined to look at all of it under my microscope.

I even photographed the scene, but what help that is without the context of the body, I do not know.

I cannot believe the incompetence of such a man as Dr. Blaine! He is the type of man who is in love with the sound of his own voice. Narrow-minded. Utterly conceited! And he wishes total and absolute control. He will listen to no one. Huh! I'm sure he still believes that the eyes of the dead can reveal what happened to people in their last moments of life. Preposterous, but just the kind of falsehood a man like Blaine would propagate. He will not accept criticism or help. It is his way, or no way at all. He's a fool.

I'm positive he destroyed any clue that might be on her little body when he instructed the foot patrolman to wrap her in his police jacket, all because he didn't wish to unnerve the park visitors! Can you believe that! A girl is dead! A murderer is running free, and Dr. Blaine is worried about upsetting visitors! I was livid, but there was nothing I could do. I was threatened with arrest if I so much as breathed my displeasure! Forgive me. I am just upset.

What has happened? What is it that is so important that you must cancel your efforts for our client Mrs. Henry Lime, tonight.It had better be a good excuse. I am in a foul mood at the moment. I must tell you. A very foul mood. I have Blaine to blame.I would laugh at what I just said, but I'm in no mood for jokes."

"No," said Phalen. "This is no joking matter, Cupid. The man I met with the other day who is a priest contacted me. He's been questioned in the matter of that missing little girl's murder."