Death Deals a Diamond

Hello, I hope I haven't kept you waiting. Yes, this is the crime club. I'm the librarian. Death deals a diamond. Yes, we have that story for you. Come right over. You're here. Good. Take the easy chair by the window.

Comfortable? The manuscript is on this shelf. Here it is, Death Deals a Diamond, a very exciting story of a brilliant play that was finessed by murder. Let's look at it under the reading lamp. How Hampton had been in the diamond business, taking without paying.

And then one day he heard a judge say, five years in the state prison, and how Hampton was no longer in the diamond business. Our story begins early one evening, five years and three weeks later.

Hal was in his room at a midtown hotel trying to forget the past and wondering what to do about the future when they came knocking at the door. Not expecting anyone. He opened it anyway.

Hello Hal. So what's the big idea? Don't argue with me sweetheart, I might get nervous and shoot. What do you want? Ask me in first. Oh come on, be a gentleman. There's not much I can do about it is there?

Would you mind if we left the door open just a little bit? Company outside? I like cross ventilation. Okay. Behave yourself and it won't be in you. What's your name? Myra Keats. No look so hard you've never met me before.

I wasn't exactly looking at your eyes honey. Who sent you here? I worked for the Lawless Detective Agency. You don't say? No ice cracks. The boss's name happens to be Sam Lawless. Alright, Myra, what's this all about?