Lady in the Lake Page #3

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Who said anything about El Paso?

Why didn't you tie it on my ear?|I'd have found it quicker.

- Why, I didn't even know that...|- You're working overtime.

I don't get it.

What's the mystery|if Kingsby's wife is in Mexico?

The mystery is that|I ran into Chris Lavery last week...

and he said he hadn't seen|Chrystal Kingsby for two months.

He's home and she isn't. No one's|seen her. She's missing. Vanished.

Wire is a phony.|Anybody could have sent it.

Why, even I could call up and clear a wire|out of El Paso if I wanted to.

- Maybe you did.|- You're very funny.

If she's really missing,|why isn't Kingsby looking for her?

I don't know.|Maybe he thinks she's off on a toot.

But a Mexican divorce,|with no property settlement...

not Chrystal Kingsby.|She'd do it right here in California.

Besides that...

Chrystal Kingsby isn't a big enough fool|to marry Chris Lavery.

Why not?

You don't marry the Chris Laverys|of this world.

You just pay their bills,|lend them all the money they need...

- then forget to ask for it back.|- You seem to know all about him.

What's that got to do with it?

Nothing. It has to do with you.|You know him well?

What do you mean?

Why are you looking at me like that?

Mr. Marlowe, if you don't think|there's a case or a mystery here...

then I've been wasting your time.|Please don't let me waste any more of it.

Perhaps you'd better go home|and play with your fingerprint collections.

Where does Chris Lavery live?

Bay City.

- Address?|- 676 Altair Street.

- At the edge of the canyon.|- And you hope he throws me into it.

One more question.

What would happen if I kissed you?

Why don't you try and see?

Do you always close your eyes when|you think somebody's going to kiss you?

What stopped you?

What's Chris Lavery like?|Broad shoulders?

- Why?|- Did you close your eyes for him, too?

Get out.

You want to marry Kingsby|because Lavery jilted you, eh?

That's not true. Get out.

Now, I'll go see the guy.

But don't try to be cute anymore.|I know you.

We'll skip the drinks.

You better get to work|and edit my manuscript.

Yes. I plan to slash the emotion|right out of it.

That's the manuscript. This is me.

Good night, sweetheart.|I'll let you know what Lavery says.

- Chris Lavery?|- Yes, sir. That's me.

I like your tan. That's very Christmassy.

Thank you, sir. That's very kind of you.

Private detective.

Well, I declare.|You fellows going from door to door now?

It's a shame business is so bad.

But I don't think|I can use a private detective.

Look, Uncle Tom, I don't need a job.|I've got one, you're a part of it.

Now that's downright interesting.

May I presume to ask you, sir,|who sent you over here?

- What is it you want?|- I'm working for Derace Kingsby.

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