“Has everyone been interviewed?” Mona asked.
“We have one more person—the new attorney I hired to submit our mining patents.”
“It’s getting late. When’s he coming in?”
“He should have been here by now, Mona. Let me call and see if he’s been detained.” Dexter went into the switchboard room and called the young man’s home.
Mona listened to the conversation and became somewhat alarmed when Dexter repeated, “You said he left an hour ago for the office? Well, he’s not here. Do you know where he could have gone?”
Mona could tell from Dexter’s expression that he was perplexed.
He hung up the receiver. “Excuse me for a moment. Stay here, please.” Dexter checked the hallway, reception area, and the rest of the offices. Besides himself and Mona, no one was in the Moon Enterprises offices, except for two Pinkertons cooling their heels by the elevator.
Perplexed, Dexter returned to Mona. “Hancock Jeter is not here. His wife said he left over an hour ago.”
“What does he do here?”
“He’s a new attorney I hired to submit our mining patents and claims.”
Mona felt alarmed. “Let’s take a look at his office, Dexter.”
“I checked. He’s not there.”
“Let’s go through his desk. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
Mona and Dexter went to Hancock’s office, where she noticed a safe in the corner. “Do you have the combination?”
“Yes, it’s where we store the drawings and copies of the schematics for the Moon patents.”
“Claim applications, too?”
“You betcha.”
“Why is the safe here?”
“It was more convenient for the attorney taking care of these issues than to run down to the bank where we have a deposit box.”
“Who has keys to the deposit box?”
“Just the bank manager and myself.”
“What’s in the deposit box?”
“Copies of everything pertaining to the patents and claims.”
“Who has access to this safe?”
“I have the combination. Also, my personal secretary and Hancock. That’s it.”
“You have a safe in your office. What’s in there?”
“Personal papers of the Moon family—wills, birth certificates, property deeds, marriage licenses, letters of instructions in case of death, etc. I’m the only one who has access to that safe.”
“Dexter, open the safe, please.”
Dexter dialed the combination for the safe and pulled out files and drawings. He laid them on a large table and went through them carefully while Mona checked Mr. Jeter’s desk. She slumped into his chair after an exhaustive search even pulling out drawers and checking underneath them.
“Nothing,” Mona said with exasperation. “No checkbook, no hidden bottle of booze, no indiscreet love letters, nothing. In fact, this desk is too neat and orderly. Doesn’t even look like anyone works from it.”
Dexter sheepishly looked up. “I’ve got some bad news. Two patents for a new drilling rig are missing.”
“That’s not good.” Mona thought for a moment. “Do you have a picture of this Hancock Jeter?”
“Yes, with his employee file.”
“Can you get it, please? I’ll make a call to the Pinkerton boys at home and have them search for Mr. Jeter, but they’ll need that picture.”
“Mona, have one of them watch the Jeter house, too.”
Mona tried to use the phone. She was perplexed when the phone had no dial tone. After all, Dexter had just made a call. “How do I call out?”
“I’ll make the call. I know how to use the switchboard. Mona, go home. I’ve got lots to do.”
“And I’m in the way.”
Dexter nodded. “Sorry, but I’ve got to move fast. I’ll be in touch when I find something out.”
“Okay. I’ll be at home.” Mona left Dexter busily going through files and summoned the two Pinkertons waiting in the hallway. “I’m going to the Phoenix Hotel and then home. Jamison will take me. You stay here with Mr. Deatherage. He will have instructions for you.”
Knowing it was no use to argue with their employer, they agreed. “Yes, Miss Moon.”
Mona left the offices of Moon Enterprises feeling gloomy. Not only was the murder hanging over her head, but also a possible theft of important patents involving one missing Moon attorney.
Where was Hancock Jeter?