tales of the hotel st crispian, chapter 117: "just part of the dream"

by manfred skyline

illustrated by danny delacroix

editorial consultant: Prof. Dan Leo

"are you from around here, mrs chandler?" varney kept his pen poised over his notebook. "no, i am from westchester. i have never been in this neighborhood before." "so - what brings you down here at four in the morning with our detective friend?" varney opened his eyes wide and held his pen up. "let me guess? you were hiring him to look for mr chandler?" "that's a good guess." "is it a correct guess?" "no." "then what are you doing here, mrs chandler?" "i was hoping to persuade mr fortescue to hire me as his secretary." varney, and mullihan, were too surprised by this answer to laugh. varney looked down at his notebook. "let's start over. who saw the body first?" "i did," carol answered. "i saw his feet sticking out. then mister fortescue took a look at him." "but you never saw him before? the dead man?" "no." "you got a good look at him?" "good enough. i'll look at him again, if you want." "yes, why don't you?" "all right." mullihan stepped aside and carol went over and looked down at the dead man. "no, i've never seen him before." "you seem pretty cool about it," mulligan told her. "you seen a lot of dead bodies before?" "i have never seen any, except in funeral parlors." "but you don't seem - too upset, " mulligan persisted. "what do you want me to say? i've had a long night. i feel like i'm dreaming. this is just part of the dream."

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