She used to be drawn to me at one time. ” He flushed with self-importance. “Of path I wouldn’t thieve one other fellow’s spouse. invoice is familiar with he can belief me. invoice and i've been buddy-buddy for years. ” “Have you visible him this night? ” “No, I haven’t. i believe he went to a celebration in Guadalajara. He has a few excellent connections. His relatives are very recognized humans in Texas. ” “Does he force a Porsche? ” “If you could name it using. His riding is one cause he needed to go away Texas. ” “I can think it. He nearly ran me down at the street simply now. ” “Poor previous invoice. a few evening he’s going to finish up within the ditch with a damaged neck. and perhaps I’ll marry Helen in any case, who is familiar with? ” the possibility didn't cheer him. “I desire a drink, previous chap. Will you've gotten one with me? ” “All correct. ingesting seems the favourite indoor activity round right here. ” He checked out me to work out if i used to be accusing him of being a inebriated. I smiled. He gave me a Mexican-type shrug and acquired a bottle of Bacardi out from lower than the excessive finish of the sofa. He poured a few into paper cups from a dispenser that held on the wall beside the bottled water. I additional water to mine. “Salud,” he stated. “If you don’t brain my asking, how did you ensue to run into Helen Wilkinson? ” “I went to determine her. ” “Just like that? ” “I ensue to be a personal investigator. ” He sat bolt upright. His drink slopped over the rim of the cup. I puzzled what previous scandal had the facility to impress him. “I idea you have been a tourist,” he stated resentfully. “I’m a detective, and that i got here right here to enquire a guy who calls himself Burke Damis. i feel he stayed with you for an evening or . ” “One night,” Stacy stated. “So it’s rather precise approximately him, in any case? I hated to think it—he’s any such fine-looking chap. ” “You hated to think what? ” “That he murdered his spouse. Isn’t that why you’re after him? ” by using a bit rum and water I made a rapid adjustment. “These rumors get round. the place did you ensue to choose that one up? ” “It used to be going the rounds, as you assert. i believe it began while invoice Wilkinson advised anyone on the position that he used to be going to record Damis as an bad alien. ” Stacy appeared like a gourmet of rumors, who accrued them as different males amassed outstanding sayings or images or ladies. “The govt has been bearing down on undesirables, rounding them up and sending them again around the border. Like wetbacks in opposite. ” “And Wilkinson became Damis in? ” “I don’t think he really did, yet he threatened to. that's most likely why Damis received out in a rush. So he fairly is one bounce sooner than the legislations? ” “A lengthy jump,” I stated. “This rumor pursuits me. What precisely used to be acknowledged? ” “Simply that Damis—which wasn’t his genuine name—was sought after for the homicide of his spouse. ” “How are you aware it isn’t his actual identify? ” “I don’t recognize something. It was once all a part of the rumor. I pestered invoice and Helen for extra info, yet they refused to talk—” “They recognize extra info, do they? ” “I may say so. ” “Where did they get them? ” “I’ve requested myself that query time and again.