The Kiwi Target

to accept a very visible one without also looking for others, hut at the moment I’m convinced that Ned was done in because he owned a key piece of land that some very powerful interests w ant to acquire.”
    “Why didn’t they buy it from him?” Winston asked. “Presumably they would have been able to afford a very substantial figure.”
    “Ned MacTavish was his own man. That was his home, and he didn’t wish to sell. He was very comfortably fixed—I checked with his bank earlier today. He had all he needed, and he wasn’t a greedy person.”
    “The bank was cooperative, I take it.”
    “Very cooperative, sir. The manager knew perfectly well that I could get the necessary legal authorization. Since time is very critical right now, I put it on the basis of a personal favor as well as a service to poor Ned. In that light I was given the information I needed. Ned and Anne lived very simply, but they had close to a million tucked away.”
    Pettibone moved to where he was within reach of the telephone. “I asked WPC Holbrook to stay with Anne MacTavish; she is there now.”
    “Good move,” Winston said.
    “I then investigated the scene of the crime and took photographs, which will be available shortly. I also made a cast of the footprints for possible use in court. Then I set about a search for witnesses. We have one of two citizens who make a career of observing all they can of what’s going on; I started with them.”
    “Were they helpful?”
    “In a negative sense, yes. They had seen nothing, which virtually guarantees that the men I wish to interview didn’t pass their houses. Then most fortunately, a young man I know quite well came forward. We had a bit of a chat. He and a young lady were out together last night. They had parked their car where it was well out of sight and were on foot—at first, that is—near the MacTavish home. There is a secluded spot there that is suitable for . . .”
    “Romantic involvements?” Winston suggested.
    “Well said. My witness spotted the lights of a car coming up the hill. Since he and the girl were well concealed from the roadway, he was not unduly concerned that they would be seen.”
    “You showed him a photograph?”
    “Mixed with some others, yes.”
    “Excellent,” Winston said. “Excellent! I trust you will not be causing this valuable witness any embarrassment.”
    “Certainly not, sir. Consenting adults they were, which ends the matter as far as I am concerned.”
    “And me also. Can you make a case against Edward Riley?“
    Pettibone addressed himself to Peter. “I should explain that there are two major parts to an investigation such as this. The first is to determine who committed the crime. The second is to assemble enough clear and convincing evidence to win a conviction in Court. Quite often we can identify the villain, but we can’t bring him to justice for lack of enough legal evidence or adequate witnesses.”
    “I understand,” Peter said. He already knew that, but thought it best not to say so.
    Pettibone turned to the superintendent. “So far I have no case in the legal sense. My witness did not see the actual crime or know of it until this morning.”
    Winstood stood up. “I know you’ll keep on with your very good work. Peter, I’ll walk you back to the hotel if you’d like.”
    “Thank you,” Peter said. He took his leave when they arrived at the comfortable old hotel.
    He went up to their room and stretched out on the bed, hands behind his head, and allowed himself to relax. He had done too little of that lately. He had almost fallen asleep when the door opened and Jenny came in. He got to his feet and asked, “How did it go?”
    Jenny put down her purse and dropped into a chair. “Poor Anne—it’s a terrible blow to her. She still can’t believe that her husband won’t come home and that they will never be together again. The phone rang a lot. Four of the callers asked about buying the property. One of them rang through from Hong Kong.”
    “How did they find out so soon?” Peter asked. “Unless they were responsible—”
    Jenny cut him off. “I thought of that and called Orin. He checked. The Hong Kong people have a local real estate man. When he heard about Ned’s death, he phoned them for instructions.”
    Peter dropped his shoulders. “How did Mrs. MacTavish take it all?”
    “She’s a brave woman, but it was still terrible for her.”
    “Of course. Do you want to change for