RANSVESTIA

people," said Hamilton, frowning, "whose reactions were rather interesting. The four--er--ladies whom Jill was serving."

"Ye-e-e-es," said Kim slowly. He was saved from further grilling by Buchanan's call that he had the Allen County Coroner on the phone.

Hamilton crossed eagerly and took the phone. He spoke rapidly to the Coroner and his request was met by an astounded gasp from the young doctor on the other end of the phone. He promised to phone back as soon as he could do a chromosome test, among others, on Mrs. Betty Ewell, along with a detailed autopsy.

Kim's eyebrows were wide open in surprise. "A chromosome test," he repeated, his well-defined eyebrows registering his recognition of the meaning of the test. Both of the Allen County detectives looked blank. "You think Betty was a transexual?"

"Just an idea," said Hamilton, "that's been bugging me since I talked to the Conway Sisters and to Bob Ewell. I can't imagine Darlene Draper being friendly with a woman, not even one like Betty Ewell. Lana seems to think they had a secret between them, and Bob Ewell didn't even know that the two knew each other."

"So it was Christine," Kim's face was a picture of girlish astonish- ment.

"A suspect," said Hamilton sharply. "Nothing more. There are too many more developments to take place yet, and any number of leads to follow." He paused until Kim was aware and agreed to what he had said. "I expect you not to repeat the text of that phone call." Again Bud waited for Kim to agree. "Now tell me about the foursome."

Kim looked troubled. "There's a lot of money in that group," he said. "You wouldn't expect them to be involved in this." Hamilton's face had hardened, but Kim went on before Bud had to say more. "Bobbi-Jean is a doctor from Califomia. The redhead was Melinda, her nephew, I guess. The two blondes are Marlene and Helen, and they've been coming here since we started. They know every body else here, and just about everything about everyone. But they know how to be closemouthed too."

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