My Dark Places - James Ellroy [14]
Bruton described the victim, the blonde and the dark man, and placed them at the Desert Inn roughly concurrent with Downey’s visits. Downey said he didn’t notice anybody resembling them.
Bruton wrote down “Ben Grissman” and got the name of Downey’s other buddy. He told Downey that some Sheriff’s men might want to talk to him.
Downey pledged his cooperation. Bruton sent him home in a patrol car.
A letter arrived at the El Monte Station Tuesday morning. It was scrawled on the back of a bank deposit slip and an employee’s time clock sheet.
El Monte Chief of Police 6/23/58
Dear Sir,
I would suggest, in relation to your latest rape murder (that I read about in today’s paper) you should question E. Ponce, a TV repair man, works for Dorn’s, lives in Monterey Park. This is rather near El Monte and my wife charges that he raped her in April of last year, in my home. He also threatened her at that time and the rest of the family. Our matter is in the courts at this time. He is a tall slim Mexican, very pronounced accent. Make him account for his actions and or any others of a similar nature, as he is so inclined.
Ask Ponce if he was acquainted with the nurse that was raped & murdered. Find out if she ever bought a TV or had other dealings with Dorn’s, and if Ponce had ever repaired sets or any other appliance for her. Look at Dorn’s books and hours. Make him account for his time on the night of the crime. Substantiated. Ask me to identify him, just as if I had seen her with him. Let me get a close look.
The letter was signed “Lester A. Eby, 17152 Cires Avenue, Fontana, Calif.” The Chief’s secretary called Information and got the accompanying phone number: VA2-7814. She wrote it at the bottom of the time clock sheet and called Information back.
She asked for a listing on “E. Ponce” in Monterey Park. The operator gave her the only one she had: Emil Ponce, 320 East Fernfield Drive, PA1-3047. She wrote the information down below the informant’s name and placed the letter in Captain Bruton’s box.
Ruth Schienle called Sheriff’s Homicide Tuesday morning. She left a detailed message for Ward Hallinen and Jack Lawton. The phone man wrote it down on the back of a teletype slip.
Miss Schienle rptd that Henry Kurtz, 4144 Irving PL, Culver City, NE8-5888, did not rpt for work last night and had phoned in that he would not be in tonight (6/24/58). Henry F. Kurtz / MW/ 39-42/5′-8″—220 / brown hair
The phone man placed the slip in Jack Lawton’s box.
Jim Bruton called Frank Godfrey Tuesday morning. He told him to hustle down to Brea and talk to a Mexican girl named Carmen Contreras. They got a tip that she knew a Desert Inn habitué named Tommy. The girl’s address was 248 South Poplar.
Godfrey drove to Orange County and found the address. The girl’s mother sent him over to the Beckman Instrument Company—Carmen’s place of employment.
Godfrey talked to Carmen. Carmen said she knew a man named Tommy—but she didn’t know his last name. He was a Caucasian, 30 to 40, 5′6″ to 5′7″. He was dark complected and had brown eyes and dark curly hair.
Carmen thought he lived in Baldwin Park. He was married—but was trying to obtain a divorce. He drove a ’57 Mercury coupe, pink over white. He told her he used to own a ’52 Olds. He worked for a floor-installation company in Temple City. He hung out at the Ivanhoe in Temple City and the Desert Inn in El Monte. He liked to sit at the bar or table-hop. He took her to an Italian place on Valley a couple of times. She hadn’t seen Tommy in a while.
Godfrey gave her a card. He told her to call him if she dredged up Tommy’s last name. Carmen said she would.
Godfrey called Jim Bruton and ran the interview by him. Bruton said he’d check out the Ivanhoe.
An anonymous tipster called the Temple City Sheriff’s Tuesday morning. He said this “Johnny” guy might be the one who choked that nurse.
The tipster said Johnny frequented the Desert Inn. He drove a pink-and-white Olds Holiday and