smoot

I went to the telephone and looked up the number of the police department in the directory. I dialled and while I was waiting for an answer, I took the little automatic out of my pocket and laid it on the table beside the telephone.

When the male voice said: ‘Bay City police — Smoot talking,’ I said: ‘There’s been a shooting at 623 Altair Street. Man named Lavery lives there. He’s dead.’

The Lady in the Lake, Raymond Chandler

8 July 2004