The Year's Best Mystery & Suspense Stories 1984 by Edward D. Hoch

Author:Edward D. Hoch [Hoch, Edward D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The directory-assistance operator didn’t answer this time. Prothero ran down to the den. He used the phone book. The snow fell thicker outside the glass doors. He longed for it to cover the footbridge. Econo Car Rentals was slow in answering, too. And when at last a dim female voice came on, he could not get it to tell him what he wanted to know.

“This is the college calling, don’t you understand? He wasn’t supposed to leave. His family is going to be very upset. There’s been a little confusion, that’s all. He can’t be allowed to go off this way. Now, please—”

A man spoke. “What’s this about Wayne Anderson?”

“He’s just a student,” Prothero said. “Do you realize he’ll take that car clear out to California?”

“That information goes on the form. Routinely,” the man said. “Are you a relative of this Wayne Anderson?”

“Ah,” Prothero said, “you did rent him a car, then?”

“I never said that. I can’t give out that kind of information. On the phone? What kind of company policy would that be?”

“If this turns out to be a kidnapping,” Prothero said recklessly, “your company policy is going to get you into a lot of trouble. Now—what kind of car was it? What’s the license number?”

“If it’s a kidnapping,” the man said, “the people to call are the police.” His mouth left the phone. In an echoing room, he said to somebody, “It’s some stupid college-kid joker. Hang it up.” And the phone hummed in Prothero’s hand.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.