The Mystery of the Magic Circle - M. V. Carey [19]
“She’s a witch now,” declared Jupiter, “and it seems more than likely that she was a witch back in the days when she was active in films. We think that she may have headed a coven, and that sinister things may have gone on among the people in it.
Someone who was involved may well want to prevent her memoirs from being published. We plan to interview her close associates to see if we can establish some connection with Bainbridge within the last couple of days. We have to find someone who knew where the manuscript was on the night before last.”
“But you can’t expect anyone to admit he knew where the manuscript was,”
objected the young publisher. “I mean, if that person stole it.”
“We don’t intend to ask about the manuscript at all,” answered Jupe, “at least in the beginning. First we have to find out who in the coven is still in touch with Madeline Bainbridge, or is getting news of her. I don’t think anyone will be afraid to admit a connection with her.”
Beefy turned north on La Brea Avenue towards Hollywood.
“And you’re going to talk to Jefferson Long for openers?” he said. “Long, the crime fighter? He’s so foursquare and true-blue. I just can’t imagine him being mixed up in anything weird like a coven.”
“He wasn’t always Jefferson Long, the crime fighter,” Jupe pointed out. “He used to be an actor, and he was in Bainbridge’s last picture. He had to know Ramon Desparto. Also, it’s logical to begin our interviews with him, since we know where to find him. The offices of Video Enterprises, which include the studios for Station KLMC, are on Fountain Street just off Hollywood Boulevard. I called there earlier this morning, and he agreed to see me.”
“Did you tell him why you wanted to talk with him?” asked Beefy.
“Not exactly. I said I was doing a report for my school paper as a summer project.”
“Long must like publicity,” said Pete from the back seat. “Even publicity in a school paper.”
“Perhaps we all would, if we were in the public eye,” said Jupiter. He glanced at Beefy. “It’s really nice of you to drive us,” he said. “We could have taken the bus.”
“If I stayed at home, I’d only stew and worry,” declared Beefy. “I’m kind of lost without an office to go to. Besides, you guys fascinate me. I don’t think I’d dare just walk in on somebody like Jefferson Long.”
Bob laughed. “Jupe doesn’t scare easily.”
“And how are you going to find the other people in the magic circle?” asked Beefy.
Pete answered, “My father works for a movie studio. He’s getting us the addresses of Madeline Bainbridge’s friends through the unions.”
Beefy had been navigating carefully down Hollywood Boulevard. Now he turned right on to Fountain and pulled to the kerb in front of a building that looked like a huge cube of dark glass. “We’ll park here and wait,” he said as Jupe got out. “Take your time.”
“Right,” said Jupe. He turned and went into the building.
The reception room was cool, shielded from the glare outside by polarized glass.
The tanned young woman at the desk directed Jupe to the elevator, and he rode up to the fourth floor.
Jefferson Long’s office was filled with glass and chrome and furniture upholstered in black leather. The windows faced north, towards the Hollywood Hills. Long sat behind a teakwood desk, his back to the view, and smiled at Jupiter.
“Nice to see you,” said the crime reporter. “I’m always glad to do what I can to help young people.”
Jupiter had a feeling that Long had made that short speech hundreds of times before.
“Thank you very much,” said Jupiter in his most humble voice. He gazed at Long, and he let his round, cheerful face take on a look of almost idiotic innocence. “I saw your telecast the other morning,” he said. “The interview you did at Madeline Bainbridge’s estate. I was surprised! I didn’t know that you were an actor and that you knew Madeline Bainbridge.”
Jefferson Long’s smile vanished suddenly. “I have done more important things in my life than being an actor and knowing Madeline