Page 19 - Murder on the Dirigible

Murder on the Dirigible

OGLETHORPE: I just graduated from USC. My original major was
pharmacology, but I got bored with it and switched to anthropology.
It’s actually very well-known to people in my field, especially to those
who have been to Brazil.

METCALF: Blood, poison, Fisk. (wraps golf tee up carefully and
puts in pocket) This is clearly a case of homicide, and I think we’ve
got the murder weapon, ladies and gentlemen of the jury. Now, one
of you did this, and I’m going to find out who, mark my words!

OGLETHORPE: But how?

MATTHEWS: (comes out of cockpit, pulling Perkinson by arm)
Agent Metcalf! This man is not what he says he is: that radio was
working when we left Los Angeles, and now it’s broken.
Furthermore, I checked his entries in the log book, and it’s obvious
he doesn’t know very much about navigation. I think you should
question him. I certainly don’t want him up in front with me any
more: he’s done enough damage.

METCALF: Is that so? Listen here, buster, and listen well: I’ve got a
dead man on ice down in the baggage compartment, and I need
somebody to pin it on. You had better start talking, and talking fast.
Who are you, anyway?

PERKINSON: (looks around miserably; others stare at him) I’m
Frederick Perkinson, sir.

OGLETHORPE: Aha! I thought you looked familiar. You were at
USC a few years ago, weren’t you?

PERKINSON: (looks at him) That’s right. But I had to leave school.
I never graduated.

METCALF: Another bright boy! What did you learn in school: how
to impersonate a pilot?

PERKINSON: No sir. (to Matthews) Honestly, I did have some
training in navigation. But I had to get a job quickly to support my
family, so I lied a little to get through the qualifications procedure.

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