One week later, Sam Loomis was sitting in the office at the back of his shop,writing a letter to Marion. 'Since I saw you last Friday afternoon,' he wrote, 'I'vethought a lot about the things that you said. You're right. The money doesn'tmatter. I want to marry you now.' While he was writing, Bob Summerfield, the young man who worked in theshop, called to him: 'Sam, a young woman wants to see you.' Sam walked into the shop and saw a pretty young woman with fair hair and asmall suitcase. 'I'm Lila, Marion's sister,' she said without smiling. 'Is she here?' 'Of course not,' Sam replied. 'Is something wrong?' 'I haven't seen her since last Friday,' Lila said, her voice beginning to shake.'She left home without saying anything. She hasn't even phoned me. Look, if she'shere, I want to talk to her. She's in bad trouble.' She began to cry. Sam told Bob to leave the shop, then turned to Lila. 'Tell me,' he said softly.'What are you talking about? What kind of trouble is she in?' 'Yes,' said a flat, unfriendly voice from the door behind them. 'Let's all talk aboutMarion.' Sam and Lila both turned to see who was talking. A short man with a hat lowover his eyes walked slowly into the shop. He was carrying a raincoat over his arm. 'My name's Arbogast,' he said, showing them a card. 'I'm a detective, but I'm notwith the police.' He looked hard at Lila and said: 'Now Miss Crane, where'sMarion?' 'Why do you want to know?' said Sam. '40,000 dollars,' Arbogast replied. 'I don't understand.' 'Your girlfriend stole 40,000 dollars.' Sam looked at Lila. 'Is this true?' Lila explained everything. She spoke in a cold voice. She believed that Sam washiding Marion somewhere. But when she finished, her voice softened. 'Listen,Sam,' she said. 'Her boss doesn't want to call the police. He just wants his moneyback! If she's here...' 'She isn't,' Sam said quickly. 'Miss Crane, can I ask you a question?' said Arbogast. 'Why did you come here to Fairvale? Did you know that you sister was here?' 'I hoped she was. I wasn't sure.' Arbogast looked at her and said nothing. 'It's true!' she cried angrily. 'Why don't you believe me?' 'I'm just doing my job, Miss Crane.' 'Really?' said Sam. 'Then have you phoned any hospitals at Phoenix? Maybeshe's had an accident.' 'That's not possible,' Arbogast replied. 'Her boss saw her and her car last Friday.She was driving out of Phoenix with the money.' Then Arbogast looked at Lila. He gave her a warm, friendly smile to show thathe finally believed her. 'I think she's here, Ms Crane,' he said. 'Maybe not herewith her boyfriend, but she' somewhere near Fairvale. I can feel it. Don't worry,' hesaid touching his hat and walking towards the door. 'I'll find her.'
