Ричард Деминг - The Second Richard Deming Mystery MEGAPACK™ - 23 Classic Mystery Stories

“What do you mean, hearsay?” Fallon asked in a loud voice.

“Not admissible in court. Never phoned the man.”

“Two diamonds,” Hester said.

Gunner said, “The hotel night clerk’s testimony isn’t hearsay, Mr. Hawk. He says you stopped in about two-and-a-half hours before the shooting and asked for Spoda’s room number.”

“Oh, that. Got to thinking about that dog he said he wanted to sell to Olivia. Thought I might buy it myself, then decided not to, so I left without going up. You going to bid, Anna?”

“Pass,” Anna said.

“I’m afraid it isn’t going to be that easy,” Gunner said with regret. “You own a gun, Mr. Hawk?”

“Sure. Forty-five semiautomatic. Glad to loan it to you for ballistic tests. That’s why you asked, isn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s why I asked.”

“Used to own a pair of them,” Hawk said. “Accidentally dropped one in the river a while back. Two hearts.”

“Pass,” Hester said.

“Pass,” Anna said.

Mark Fallon watched irritably as the old man picked up the blind dummy and began laying out cards. “Why don’t you stop this nonsense and put cuffs on the man?” he asked Gunner.

Hester Lloyd suddenly asked, “What time was this Spoda man killed?”

“Eight-thirty last night,” Gunner said.

“Then it wasn’t Mr. Hawk did it. The three of us played cards right here from six-thirty until eleven, and he wasn’t out of our sight for a minute. Right, Anna?”

“Right, Hester.” The retired schoolteacher looked up at the sergeant. “I can swear to that in court, Sergeant. Lead, Hester.”

Sergeant Gunner looked at the expression on Mark Fallon’s face. Then he started to laugh. Once started, he couldn’t stop. He leaned against the wall and howled until tears ran down his face.

Mark Fallon began to yell something about conspiracy.

Over the hubbub, Anna Stenger’s voice rose shrilly. “Hester, you reneged. If you can’t play fair, I’m not going to play at all.”