“Not right now,” Stone said.
Cantor shook his head.
“That’s all for now, Ernie; I’ll get back to you.” Dino waited until Martinez left, then he turned to Stone. “What’s this about Arnie?”
Stone nodded. “There’s something I’d like Ernie to ask the victims about, but I think it’s better if the suggestion comes from you.”
“Right,” Dino agreed. “What is it?”
“I’d like to know if any of the victims lost a twenty-five automatic in the burglaries.”
Dino nodded slowly.
Cantor spoke up. “There’s nothing in any of the reports about a stolen gun.”
Stone shrugged. “Maybe it didn’t happen, but if the gun was unregistered, the victim would be reluctant to mention it; it wouldn’t be a big loss. If Ernie could let each of them know he’s not interested in pursuing the lack of registration, somebody might admit to it.”
“Good point,” Cantor said.
“In fact, Dino, I think it might be best if you called each of these people. Ernie just might not be the kind of guy these people would feel comfortable talking to about this. Rank would impress them.”
Dino shrugged. “Okay, I’ll phone them.”
Cantor spoke up. “Are we talking about Arnie Millman here?”
“Possibly,” Stone said. “Dino, can we talk to the cop who interviewed Dryer?”
Dino got up, opened his door, and shouted, “Gleason! In here!” A moment later a fit-looking fifty-year-old detective came into the office. “Kevin, you know Stone, Bob.”
Gleason shook hands cordially with both men.
“You got your notes on the Dryer interview at Arnie’s scene?” Dino asked. “Give us your impressions.”
Gleason produced a notebook. “Looked to me like Dryer was in the rack with somebody when I rang the bell. He was still getting dressed when he came to the door, and he made a point of closing the bedroom door after I got in. He seemed willing to be helpful, but s
aid he didn’t hear anything, didn’t know anything. Said he’d been in the house all evening and had a witness to that effect, if I really needed it, but he obviously didn’t want to involve the girl, so I let it go. I bought his story.”
“You think we might pull up a print or two in that apartment?” Dino asked.
Cantor spoke up. “I doubt it very seriously; the place has been cleaned and painted.”
“Stone, you got any questions?” Dino asked.
“This was what time, Kevin?”
Gleason looked at his notebook. “I talked to him around eight-thirty.”
“And what time did Arnie buy it?”
“ME says between seven and eight.”
“That’s a pretty tight fix.”
“It was body temperature. We reckon we got there pretty quick; a neighbor who was taking out his garbage found Arnie’s body.”
“Did you get any kind of look at all at the woman in the bedroom?” Stone asked.
“No, nothing.”