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back when I have some more questions.”
    â€œHow long do you intend to stay in Rockview?”
    â€œUntil I get some answers.”
    Mayor Jordan leaned back in his chair. “Tensions are high since the strike. It’s a dangerous place for an outsider.”
    â€œIs that in the nature of a threat?”
    â€œNot at all! But I just don’t want Governor Holland on my neck if something happens to you.”
    McCall nodded and stood up. “I’ll try to be careful.”

SEVEN
    Thursday, May 13
    He met April Evans in the lobby of her hotel at seven o’clock, and they dined at a nearby restaurant called the Mountainview. Since the only view of mountains in the entire place was on a large faded mural on the back wall, he contented himself with studying the soft lines of April’s face by candlelight.
    â€œEverything in this city is some sort of View,” he told her. “Rockview, Parkview, Mountainview. And I see nothing but a bunch of grubby little people protecting their own interests.”
    â€œIs it any different in the state capital, Mike?”
    â€œI suppose not,” he admitted. “Maybe it’s just that I’m used to them there.” He reached for another of her cigarettes. “So what were you up to this afternoon?”
    â€œI drove out to Xavier Mann’s house, but I couldn’t get in. There was a gang of strikers outside, shouting and throwing rocks. Finally the police came and broke it up.”
    â€œDid you see the man with the bandaged hand?”
    â€œTanner? He was there, all right—the ringleader.”
    He brushed back the cowlick on his forehead, aware that being in April’s company made him conscious of his appearance. “Do they just want more money, or are there racial overtones to it?”
    â€œWell, I understand that the hiring of a few blacks triggered the thing, but it seems to go deeper than that. From what I saw this afternoon, I’d say it’s developing into a personal war between the strikers and Mann.”
    â€œAny way Sloane’s murder could be tied into it?”
    â€œI don’t see how. The only connection would be Sloane’s interest in Mann Photo.”
    He knew he hadn’t mentioned that to her. “Who says he was interested in Mann Photo? I never mentioned that.”
    But she was not a girl to lose her composure. “Come on, Mike! We both know they’ve been turning out blue movies at the Mann plant. That’s why you’re here, and that’s why I’m here. We’re not going to get anywhere trying to kid each other.”
    â€œWho in hell are you, anyway?”
    â€œI’m sorry,” she said firmly. “I just can’t tell you.”
    â€œAll right,” he said, giving it up for the moment. The waiter arrived with their dinners, and after some minutes of struggling with a tough steak he asked, “What about your visit to Suzanne Walsh? She said you came to see her last night.”
    April laughed at the memory. “It was an accident of sorts. I’d wanted to see the room where Sloane was murdered, and I got her room by mistake. I asked her a few questions and left as soon as I could.”
    â€œHow did you expect to get into the murder room? I had a hard enough time persuading the manager to unlock the door, and that was after the police had spent the day photographing and dusting for fingerprints.”
    â€œSometimes it’s easier for a girl,” she said. “I flashed a smile and the desk clerk told me the room number. I was going to pick the lock—only he gave me the secretary’s room by mistake.”
    â€œYou were going to pick the lock?” he repeated, dumbfounded.
    â€œOf course. Leave the chain off your door and I’ll sneak into your room tonight. It’s quite simple, really.”
    â€œThey teach you that at finishing school now?”
    â€œHardly. But you should know I’m not a