“Don’t get so cocky over one lousy murder that maybe didn’t happen. But what the hell? You know you didn’t lift her dough and pretties.”

“Neither did the killer. They were still there after eight that morning, when I left. Dan Rolff was in and out between then and nine. He wouldn’t have taken them. The⁠—I’ve got it! The coppers that found the body⁠—Shepp and Vanaman⁠—got there at nine-thirty. Besides the jewelry and money, some letters old Willsson had written the girl were⁠—must have been⁠—taken. I found them later in Dawn’s pocket. The two dicks disappeared just about then. See it?