The Blue Movie Murders by Ellery Queen

Author:Ellery Queen
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781504019989
Publisher: MysteriousPress.com/Open Road

ELEVEN

Saturday, May 15

McCall dropped April at the airport, promising to call her later, and drove on out to Xavier Mann’s home. When he was still a quarter of a mile away, he found his path suddenly blocked by a Rockview Police patrol car.

“What seems to be the trouble here?” he asked the cop who came forward, hands on hips.

“Road’s closed, buddy. Turn around and go back.”

“I believe this is a state highway.”

“It’s still closed.”

McCall showed his shield. “Still closed?”

The cop debated for a moment. “I’ll have to check with Lieutenant Powell. Just keep cool.” He went back to use the radio.

McCall sat in his car and waited. Presently another patrol car appeared over the hill and came to a jarring halt. Lieutenant Powell eased himself out of the front seat and strolled over. His feet were still hurting him.

“Good to see you again, Lieutenant. I seem to be having a little trouble getting through your roadblock.”

“That’s what roadblocks are for, McCall. There’s been too much trouble with strikers down around the Mann home, throwing rocks and making threats. We decided to keep them far away.”

“I’m not a striker. Besides, it’s a state highway, Lieutenant.”

Powell shifted his weight, searching for the right words, then answered, “It’s still blocked today. Sorry.”

“I’m going through.”

“Damn it, McCall, we’ve taken just about enough of you in Rockview. It’s time you and Governor Holland let us run our own affairs!”

“Are you ordering me out?”

“Damn right I’m ordering you out.”

McCall nodded. “Better tell your officer to move that car. I’m going through.”

“Do I have to use force, McCall?”

“What are you going to do—shoot out my tyres?”

“If you pass this roadblock and enter the Mann home you’ll be arrested when you leave.”

McCall gunned the motor. “We’ll see about that.” He shot ahead, swerving to the left to miss the parked patrol car. He topped the hill and then was out of sight before Powell could act.

There was another police car in the Mann driveway, and the officer eyed him curiously as he entered the house. Elizabeth Mann was waiting in the inner hallway, and she waved away the maid who’d opened the door. “My husband is not here, Mr. McCall. He’s at a meeting with the strikers.”

“It was you I came to see.”

“Oh?”

She was still a beautiful woman, with hair as black as a raven’s feathers, and a straight slim body which could still arouse passion. Seeing her now, he saw her again as she had been by that pond in the film—naked and alive and very, very beautiful. There was no doubt in his mind. It was the same woman.

“Can we talk somewhere?”

“I can see no reason for it, Mr. McCall.”

“Yesterday I saw the film The Wild Nymph for the first time.”

Her face clouded. “Come into the study,” she said. “This way.”

She closed the door and stood facing him, waiting for his next words. “I consider the film a genuine work of art,” he said.

“I’m glad. Those are my feelings about it. You must believe that it was not made simply as a piece of pornography.

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