Hollywood Heat. Arlette Lees
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third level.
“Strongbow is upstairs with Dr. Adler,” said Garner. “Mrs. Adler was about to give a statement when the doctor injected her with a sedative.”
“Interesting,” said Hallinan.
“That’s what I thought. The fingerprint team is up in the child’s room now.”
He and Tug entered the front room and Garner made the necessary introductions. Dr. Adler’s Aunt Sarah sat on the sofa beneath the arched windows twisting a lace handkerchief. On the love seat, stage star Trudy Shawn had wilted against the shoulder of her agent, Todd Sinclair, and sitting alone by the fireplace was the Swedish au pair, Sigrid Nordgren, with her back turned to everyone.
“Might not hurt to call Elmer Wood and get his bloodhounds out here,” said Garner.
“Good thinking,” said Hallinan. Garner went downstairs to use the phone in the kitchen.
Sarah Adler was a retired French teacher living in The Fairfax District near Farmer’s Market. Trudy Shawn resided at The Hollywood Studio Club while looking for a house to rent. Todd Sinclair had a suite at The Roosevelt on Hollywood Blvd.
Trudy and Todd had canvased the neighborhood looking for Daisy, Trudy in high heels that raised blisters on her feet. Hallinan took their statements, their contact information, and let them leave.
Trudy gave Tug a wink as she headed out the door. His ears turned pink. Hallinan sent him outside to see if anything seemed out of place, while he interviewed Sarah Adler in Helen’s Adler’s downstairs den. Sarah last remembered seeing Daisy walking up the staircase shortly after midnight after a brief appearance at the party. Sometime within the next hour she’d vanished.
“All of the bedrooms, plus Nathan’s den, are on the third level,” she said. “There’s the front door leading to the outside, another off the downstairs dining room that opens onto the side patio, one to the front living room balcony, two leading to the back patio, one from the master bedroom, and one from Daisy’s room.”
“Who else went upstairs in the course of the evening?” said Hallinan.
“Anyone who wanted to, especially if the downstairs bathroom was in use.”
“How many people were in the house tonight?”
“Maybe sixty when things were in full swing. There was a guest book, but a photographer named Horst Kepler took off with it.”
“You mean he stole it?”
“Just pushed me aside and ran. Oh, how I’d like to wring that man’s neck. Calls himself Photographer to the Stars. That’s Hollywood. Everyone has to be Something to the Stars. He’s responsible for Daisy’s modeling career. A bunch of nonsense, if you ask me.”
“Why would he want the guest book?” said Hallinan.
“The signatures, I suppose. Lana Turner was here with Johnny Stompanato, and a lot of big shot movie people. Perhaps he could sell it or maybe he’s just an aggravating putz.”
“I imagine you’re sleeping here tonight,” said Hallinan.
“Yes, I’ll be upstairs in the guest room.”
“That’s all for now. If you think of anything else we can talk in the morning.”
Garner met him back in the front room. “Wood is in Bakersfield on another job, but he’ll be here with the dogs by noon tomorrow if the traffic’s not too heavy.”
“That’s good. Call Sunset Stable. They keep a list of volunteers. Have them organize a mounted patrol for the morning.”
Tug came in from the outside with nothing remarkable to report, and volunteered to help Garner organize the search.
“I’ll interview the Nordgren girl next,” said Hallinan. “She looks like someone sent her to Siberia.”
“Maybe they don’t talk to the hired help,” said Garner.
“And Tug, tell Strongbow I want to see Dr. Adler as soon as he’s through talking with him.”
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