The Case of the Poisoned Eclairs: A Masao Masuto Mystery Read Online Free PDF

about four men. I don’t like any of them.”
    â€œDo you know where Fuller is working now?”
    â€œI think Mitzie mentioned he’s doing a film at Metro.”
    â€œI see.”
    Masuto closed his notebook and stared at Laura Crombie thoughtfully. “Suppose I said that all four of you are in very great danger.”
    â€œI’d believe you.”
    â€œWould the others?”
    â€œI could convince them.”
    â€œCould you be convincing enough to have them all here tonight?”
    â€œIf they haven’t made other plans.”
    â€œEven if they have, I want them here. It’s very important.”
    â€œAt what time?”
    â€œSay ten o’clock—and if I’m late, please wait for me. And until then, I’d like them to stay indoors and not to let any strangers into their homes. I’d like you to do the same. And again remind them about the food. Will you do that for me?”
    â€œAll right. But this is crazy—absolutely crazy.”
    â€œI know,” Masuto said gently. “Much of the world is crazy, but this is where we are.”

Omi Saiku
    When Masuto walked into police headquarters on Rexford Drive, the city manager was there talking to Wainwright, and Wainwright nodded for Masuto to join them.
    â€œWhat I want to know,” Wainwright was saying, “is how the hell this stuff gets out. There are no blabbermouths here. Masuto and Beckman are on it, and they don’t talk.”
    â€œFrank Lubie called me. He smelled something in Beckman’s questions. He was sore as hell at even the implication that something could be wrong with his candy. You know, he has a point. If what you tell me gets out, it could ruin him. He’s not only a sizable taxpayer, but his factory’s here in town.”
    â€œCan we put a lid on it?” Wainwright asked Masuto. “What do you think?”
    Masuto shrugged. “The vet knows. Mrs. Greene knows. They know down at L.A.P.D. It’s not just a question of the candy. It’s a lot more than that.”
    â€œWhat’s a lot more?” the city manager asked.
    â€œWe have a poor Mexican kid murdered by some lunatic who seems determined to kill four other women. Ana Fortez was a mistake. If any of the others die, I don’t think it will be a mistake.”
    â€œFour women!” Wainwright exclaimed. “What the devil are you talking about?”
    Briefly, Masuto summed up his conversation with Laura Crombie.
    â€œI know Mrs. Crombie,” the city manager said. “You’re making an inference, Masuto. It could all be some kind of accident. What’s the point in scaring these women to death?”
    â€œThey won’t die of fright. Other things are more deadly,” Masuto replied.
    â€œI think you’re out of line—way out of line.”
    â€œHold on,” Wainwright said. “I’ll agree that Masao is guessing. But I’ve had experience with his guesses. Usually they come off pretty good.”
    â€œYou mean you agree with this notion that some lunatic is trying to kill these four women? Why? Because they play bridge together? For Christ’s sake, Wainwright, this is Beverly Hills!”
    â€œThat doesn’t give us any exemption from crazies,” Wainwright said.
    â€œAll right. If you buy it, what do you intend to do about it?” the city manager asked.
    â€œI don’t know. We could put cops at their houses. What do you think, Masao?”
    Masuto shrugged. “For how long? A week, a month? You get something like this with no reason and no motive and no direction—well, I don’t know. I think those women are in danger, terrible danger. But I don’t know why or how.”
    â€œIf we don’t and something happens,” the city manager said, “I get the backlash.”
    â€œAnd if they go out of their homes, if they go shopping or on a date, does the cop follow them?” Masuto asked.