Kill as Directed Read Online Free PDF

said.
    â€œFinally,” Galivan answered, sitting down with a slight groan. “Routine turned the trick. Her suit, which looked pretty new, had a Lord & Taylor label. We checked all their charge accounts back two years of women-customers with the initials L. M. No dice, alive or dead and buried. So we had to wade through cash sales slips by the thousands. Police work is so glamorous. And then we made her—Lynne Maxwell, Lynne with an e . Ring a bell, Dr. Brown?”
    â€œLynne Maxwell.” Harry shook his head. “Not even a tinkle.”
    â€œWhat a town this is,” said the detective sadly. “Live and die practically next door, and you might just as well have been on the moon.”
    â€œWhat do you mean, Lieutenant?” Harry asked sharply.
    â€œShe was a neighbor of yours. I mean, practically. Lived on Bank Street. Artist. Studio like a movie set.”
    â€œArtist,” frowned Harry. “How come nobody missed her?”
    â€œWell, first, she lived alone. Second, she was very rich, inherited dough. Came from Denver, Colorado. Third, she was unmarried. Fourth, she had no steady guy, kept to herself. One like that can disappear for a long time without raising questions. Twenty-nine years old. Shame, huh?”
    â€œRotten shame.”
    â€œThe few people she knew say she spent money like water, mostly on herself; had a lover once in a while, nothing serious—basically a loner, no real attachments. By the way, not one of her acquaintances could link her to Dr. Harrison Brown. They never heard of Dr. Harrison Brown. That ought to please you, Doc.”
    â€œIt doesn’t please me or displease me. I’ve told you the truth about the girl from the start.”
    â€œDon’t get hot, Doc. That’s why I came all the way up here to fill you in.”
    â€œThanks, Lieutenant,” Harry said mechanically, “but this thing has been bothering the hell out of me. How would you like to come home and find a dead girl you never saw or heard of before in your living room?”
    â€œI wouldn’t like it.”
    â€œI don’t like it, either. I’ve had my lock changed, but if someone was able to get past one lock, a second one won’t protect me. I don’t sleep well.”
    â€œI don’t blame you.” The detective sounded genuinely sorry for him. “So I guess you’ll be glad to hear that we’re keeping this case open.”
    Harry stared. “Why, Lieutenant?”
    â€œYou.”
    â€œMe?”
    Galivan rubbed a knuckle on his chin. “Doctor, I’m Homicide. Now it’s true that this case doesn’t look like a homicide. This Lynne Maxwell killed herself, intentionally or accidentally, by injecting more junk into her body than it could tolerate. She died in her studio, or she died in the street, or maybe she even died in your apartment. If it was her studio or the street, somebody would have to deposit her in your place. Why? Or if she died in your apartment, what was she doing there? How did she get in? And why did she come? See what I mean, Doc?”
    â€œYes,” Harry said gloomily.
    â€œSo—case open instead of closed. Accidental death or suicide, the fact remains that you found her in your apartment, and it’s an unexplained fact. When it’s unexplained, whatever it is, you can’t close the book on it. And brother, it sure is bugging me.”
    â€œYou and me both, Lieutenant.”
    â€œWell, that’s about it, Doc.” Galivan rose. “If anything further pops on this, no matter what or when, please let me know right away.”
    â€œOf course, Lieutenant.”
    He was in the midst of examining a patient, at one o’clock, when his office girl buzzed him.
    â€œMr. Gresham is on the line, Doctor. Can you speak to him?”
    â€œNot now,” Harry said. “Tell him I’ll call back.”
    â€œHe says it’s