The Campus Murders by Ellery Queen Page A

“Nothing, sergeant,” and turned to Littleton. “Has she been lying out here since Friday, doctor? That seems a hell of a long time.”
    â€œToo long. She couldn’t have survived. I’d give it two days at the outside. Even that would be a stretch no matter how healthy the girl is.”
    â€œTwo days,” Oliver said reflectively.
    â€œRight now she’s critical.”
    Lieutenant Long came striding up. “They’re on their way. Held up by a three-car accident on the west side.” As he spoke they heard the ambulance siren. “Start checking the ground around here, Oliver. If any clue that might have been here hasn’t been wiped out by Mr. McCall and his boy Friday.”
    â€œI’m not anybody’s boy Friday,” Graham Starret said. “In fact, lieutenant, I’m not anybody’s boy but my mama’s and papa’s.”
    Long gave him a long look, then turned away. Oliver moved off, flash probing.
    â€œAny idea what she was beaten with, doctor?”
    â€œHard to say, Mr. McCall. Might have been a piece of two-by-four.”
    â€œYou want me to stick around?” McCall asked Long.
    â€œFor a while,” Long said. “You can sit in your car.”
    McCall started for his Ford. The black student fell into step with him. “Do you think I ought to stick around, too, Mr. McCall?”
    â€œJudging from Lieutenant Long’s attitude, I think it might be wise. If he gives you a hard time, get word to me. Either through Dean Gunther or at the Red Harbor Inn, where I’m staying. I know it’s hard, but don’t hand him any lip, Graham. There’s no percentage in giving him an excuse to clap you in a cell.”
    â€œDon’t worry, Mr. McCall,” young Starret said, grinning. “We’re experts at handling the man when we set our minds to it.” Then he said soberly, “I sure hope she lives.”
    They had paused in the path, and McCall said, “Graham, do you have any notion who might have done this?”
    â€œNo, I don’t. I don’t understand it at all. I mean why anybody would want to beat up a girl like that. It’s way out, man.”
    â€œDid you know Laura Thornton well?”
    Starret shrugged. “I knew her, that’s about it. I wish I hadn’t found her. I wouldn’t put it past Long to try to mix me up in this.”
    â€œI don’t think he’d try any raw stuff with the governor’s personal representative on the scene, Graham. If you had nothing to do with it, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
    The student turned back, shrugging again, and McCall went on to his car. He slid under the wheel and sat there, hungering for a cigarette. Maybe if he took up pipe smoking …
    The ambulance arrived and two white coats ran down the path with a stretcher. A police officer walked over to McCall and handed him his jacket. It was wet and muddy and he did not put it on.
    Lieutenant Long was talking to Sergeant Oliver. Oliver seemed startled. Then he moved quickly over to where the Negro student was standing. They spoke for a moment and went toward one of the police cars.
    And there was Long, at the Ford, sneering. “I’ll want a full statement from you, McCall, at headquarters. Meanwhile, we’re taking Starret in.”
    â€œFor what?”
    Long winked. “For questioning. Wouldn’t surprise me if it turns out he’s our boy. So then you’ll be able to go on home, McCall, and tell the governor he can stop worrying about Tisquanto.”
    â€œYou think Starret did it?” McCall said incredulously. “You haven’t really questioned him! On what grounds, lieutenant?”
    â€œMy nose,” Long said. “I can smell ’em out a mile away.”
    â€œYou can’t be serious!”
    â€œHe knows too much. Found the girl too easy. We’ll break him down soon enough.”
    â€œBut he’s the