The Blue Movie Murders Read Online Free PDF

now be shown. As a step towards arranging for the theatrical release of the picture I am attempting to locate Sol Dahlman, the genius who directed it. I am ready to offer Dahlman a contract to direct a new film for me, and to act as an adviser on other matters. But I have a problem—no one knows if Dahlman is alive or dead. No one knows where he lives, or even if Sol Dahlman was his real name. Internal evidence indicates that the film The Wild Nymph may have been made in or near Rockview, about twenty years ago. In my effort to locate its director, or any information about him, I plan to visit Rockview for a few days this month. I will be at the Rockview Motel from the evening of Tuesday, May 11th, till the morning of Friday, May 14th. I would appreciate hearing from anyone with information about Sol Dahlman or the film The Wild Nymph and I am prepared to pay a reward for such information.
    Sincerely,
    Ben B. Sloane.
    McCall handed back the letter. “Did anyone contact you at the motel, Miss Walsh?”
    â€œNot last night. We ate in the dining room, and then Mr. Sloane retired to his room about eleven o’clock. That was the last I saw him alive. Someone may have called him later and arranged for an early-morning appointment.”
    McCall nodded. “You said he was wearing a robe over pyjamas, Lieutenant. That suggests the killer was someone he expected, and welcomed, rather than a simple thief.”
    â€œThe motive wasn’t robbery. None of his money was taken.”
    A uniformed officer stuck his head in the door. “Lieutenant, Xavier Mann is on the phone.”
    Powell hesitated, glanced at McCall, and said, “I’ll take it in my office.”
    When they were once more alone, McCall asked, “Isn’t Xavier Mann one of the people who received that letter?”
    She nodded. “I understand he’s the wealthiest man in Rock-view. Mr. Sloane was especially interested in him.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œWell, I suppose there’s no harm in telling you. Mr. Sloane believed that Mann Photo Service, one of the companies controlled by Xavier Mann, was really a front for the mass production of blue movies. He believed that The Wild Nymph was filmed there, and he felt sure Mann knew the identity of Sol Dahlman.”
    â€œMann Photo Service?”
    â€œThey process colour film from dealers in this part of the state. And they manufacture a line of their own film as well. Naturally they have test facilities, including a small studio. Out in Hollywood the word’s been around for years that they shoot sex films there too. Recently Mr. Sloane uncovered some sort of evidence that The Wild Nymph was made there.”
    McCall chewed at the lining of his cheek. “Did he really intend to hire this man Dahlman when he found him?”
    She nodded. “Mr. Sloane considered him a genius, as he said in the letter.”
    Lieutenant Powell returned, moving his bulk gingerly on tired feet. “You about finished, McCall? I really think Miss Walsh could use a little rest.”
    â€œAll finished. Thank you, Miss Walsh.”
    He watched her leave and then he went out to his car. Lieutenant Powell didn’t say good-bye.

FOUR
    Wednesday, May 12
    Twas a city, a city in Governor’s Holland’s state, and to McCall it was a city with its own special problems. He was about to discover what they were. He’d taken a room at the Rockview Motel, a low rambling building with architecture much too modern for its rustic surroundings. He’d even viewed the white-walled room where Ben Sloane had died. The room was exactly the same as his, and he suspected all the rooms in the place were identical. Sterile, with modernistic square corners on everything, and an inexpensive Matisse print over the bed. He could imagine some interior decorator in New York dashing off the whole thing in an hour on a bad afternoon.
    On the way out he paused and asked the desk clerk, “Which