A Child's Garden of Death by Richard; Forrest Page B

Das.”
    â€œDas is goot.”
    â€œExactly. German.”
    Rocco began to pace the small room. “Anything else? Anything we can put a handle on?”
    â€œThe tool-box. It was corroded as hell and didn’t seem to have the usual things like hammers and screw drivers. I got a close look at one gauge but couldn’t make it out because of its condition.”
    â€œWhat did it look like?”
    Lyon made a pencil sketch of the implement he had held in his hand for a few moments under water. Rocco took the drawing and turned it in several directions. “I can’t make it out,” Lyon said.
    â€œIt’s a micrometer,” Rocco said.
    â€œA micrometer. Yes, a machinist’s tool. A tool and diemaker’s box.”
    â€œIt’s a possible.”
    â€œA probable.”
    Lyon put his feet on the desk and closed his eyes. “Now what do we have? A family of three are murdered; no one files a missing persons report. Probably because there are no relatives in this country. We have to work on the assumption that because of the teeth and the book title, at least the father was of European origin. They were Jewish, kept a kosher home, and the father was either a machinist or tool and diemaker. Since they died during the war, he probably worked at one of the plants or machine shops in the Greater Hartford area.”
    â€œThey could have been from out of state,” Rocco said. “Passing through as tourists … on their way to and from anywhere.”
    â€œUnlikely. During World War II there was gas rationing, little pleasure driving, and a housing shortage. A time when people would be glad to have a trailer to live in.”
    â€œDo you know how many machinists and tool and diemakers there are in Connecticut, and of Jewish descent, and how many there are or might have been in thirty years?”
    â€œHardly a lead,” Lyon replied. “Yet, let’s assume that at least the man emigrated here from Germany. Because of his age, let’s assume that he left Germany sometime after the Nurbenberg Laws.”
    â€œWhat are they?”
    â€œThe Nazis passed them in September 1935; in essence they declared all Jews non-persons. The war started in 1938. That’s only a three-year period. We also think he was either a machinist or tool and diemaker, or perhaps an engineer.”
    Rocco looked depressed, his jubilation of moments ago now completely dissipated. “There would be thousands of German mechanics who came over here during that period.”
    â€œUnfortunately for them, not as many as you’d think. What we’re interested in are the permanent resident cards of those who came to Connecticut.”
    â€œDamn it all, Lyon, you’re still too complicated. It’s an impossible job to track down.”
    â€œWait a minute. Think about the pathologist’s report. The adult male was around five foot three, age between 30 and 35. Now what are we looking for?”
    Rocco beamed. “Emigrated here between 1935 and 1938 from Germany, to Connecticut, with a probable occupation.”
    â€œAdult male, age between 20 and 26 during those years, height and build we have, state of destination we have, occupation is narrowed.”
    â€œAnd until he gained citizenship, if he did, he’d have to register once a year.”
    â€œCan you do it?” Lyon asked.
    â€œYou’re Goddamn right I can do it! With this kind of data I can run it through Washington as an official request. I’ll have it in days.”
    â€œYou had better make it faster than that,” Lyon said. “Once your brother-in-law gets through that mud he won’t be far behind us.”
    â€œ THAT ’ S THE MOST RIDICULOUS SUPPOSITION I ’ VE HEARD SINCE THEY WANTED TO NOMINATE MY FRIEND BIG DADDY FOR GOVERNOR . IT ’ S ALL CONJECTURE .”
    â€œWill you adjust your hearing aid?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œTurn it up.”
    â€œOh, all