RANSVESTIA

pocket. "Forget it, Frank." He had grabbed Calesi by the arm, and had begun to usher both he and Buchanan out of the door. "Just wait outside till I explain something to Hamilton."

The two detectives glanced at Hamilton who nodded to them that it was O.K. with him. When the door was shut, and his men were out- side, Gantsby turned to Hamilton and eyed him furiously, "what kind of stupid nonsense is that you're spouting?" he demanded.

"What's wrong with it, Sheriff?" asked the detective slowly.

"Everything!" roared the Sheriff. He looked now at Jill, whose lower lip was quivering, and who was brushing away tears that threatened to streak the thick mascara on 'her' lower lids.

"You'll have to show me where I'm wrong," said Bud carefully, "or I shall have to insist on the arrest."

Something was working on Gantsby's face. Finally, he breathed deeply and said, "All right. You can arrest them. I'll have John Doe warrants issued. No need to drag this out in public. No, don't worry," he grunted at Kim and Jill, who both looked like they wanted to talk to him. "You'll both be released in no time. This case is too flimsy for words. The D.A. won't waste his time with it as it stands."

As Gantsby turned to the door, Bud said gently, "I'll arrest them by their correct names, Sheriff Kim Winter and," he paused, "Peter Gantsby."

The Sheriff stopped dead in his tracks. A look of pure savagery crossed his face as he turned towards the feminine figures.

A wail came from Jill's mouth. "I didn't tell him, Dad, honest I didn't. I didn't tell him anything."

"Keep quiet," the words came out thickly. Gantsby's neck and jaw tightened as his hand strayed to his holster.

"If you'd known that Winter knew about Jill, would you have killed him too?" asked Bud lightly.

Gantsby's eyes tightened into slits and slowly realization dawned in his eyes. "You know it all?" he asked gruffly.

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