Peeper Page #2

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The guy polishing the brass was convinced,

so I started to believe it.

How did you get in here?

- Uh, the front door was open.

- Was it?

- Close it on your way out then.

- Is the lady of the house at home?

I'm afraid Mrs. Prendergast

isn't seeing anyone just now.

- I was hoping to speak to a member of the family.

- You are.

- Leslie C. Tucker.

- Franklin W. Prendergast.

- Husband?

- Brother-in-law.

- Just who are you, Mr. Tucker?

- I drove over from the Examiner...

hoping to check out

a few things, Mr. Prendergast.

What sort of things, may I ask?

Well, that photo for a start.

Oh, this is Harvey Prendergast...

my brother. Deceased.

I think you'd better tell me

just exactly what you want.

l, uh... I have no patience.

- Can I sit down?

- Must you?

I suppose you'd

like a drink, Mr. Tucker.

I seldom indulge,

especially on such a beautiful morning.

Same here.

Now then, you were

going to tell me...

about how you came by

the photograph, Mr. Tucker.

Uh, no- No, I wasn't.

I stopped by to ask you

about an old photo, Mr. Prendergast.

I expect to be given the fast gate.

Instead, here we are

settling down so that you can pump me.

For a man in my position,

that's enough to make me curious.

just what the hell

is your position, sir?

My having the photo bothers you.

You being bothered bothers me.

And the fact that I haven't been thrown out

of here sooner bothers me even more.

If it'll make you happy, I will.

Nice birdie.

Gypaetus barbatus, Mr. Tucker.

Usually he's found in the mountains

of southern Europe or Asia.

He loves the heat.

Because of his habit

of gorging himself to repletion...

on carrion and garbage...

he's often considered

the most repulsive bird of prey.

- Very unfair.

- But he's very smart.

He uses his keen eyesight

to stay at great heights...

until circumstances

are healthy for him to risk descent.

Otherwise, he keeps his nose

out of other people's business.

Beg your pardon.

I was just seeing to the vulture, sir.

l, uh, think I've talked enough

for this morning.

Now I'm going to say good-bye.

Before I tell you where

I got the picture of Harvey?

- All right, where did you get it?

- Why do you want to know?

- Good day.

- Maybe I should ask your niece.

Are you sure I even have one?

I'm late for an appointment.

Trevor will have to dispense with you.

- Trevor?

- The door is this way.

- You look familiar.

- We all look alike.

I was in the Philippines.

Maybe we bumped into each other.

Where were you in 1 944?

- Beverly Hills.

- Smart.

I'm waiting to see

Miss Prendergast.

- Which one?

- You mean I have a choice?

I don't think either has any time

for you today, so I will show you out.

You've forgotten your birdseed.

I will see if the young ladies

want you thrown out on your ass!

I didn't

wait for theJapanese Imperial

Army to bring back its verdict.

I decided to take a look

around the place on my own.

To tell you the truth, I was hoping...

to run into that brunette

in the silk robe.

Now Franklin W. Prendergast

was another matter.

I never trust guys with polish

on their fiingernails.

They're trying to convince themselves

they're cleaner than they really are.

It was hot. You know,

rich people never sweat.

That's always struck me funny.

They're the ones who can

afford a lot of shirts.

Good old Robbie. Good boy.

Nice doggy.

Walking around these grounds

unescorted can be dangerous.

I'm sorry. I didn't see any signs.

- You train him yourself?

- Army trained him.

Special Forces School... Benning.

But he fiunked. He broke his tooth,

and it broke Ellen's heart.

- She wanted him to fight in the Pacific.

- He didn't miss much.

You sound like you were there.

Are you a war hero?

- Ellen your sister?

- Of course.

- What's your business here?

- My name's Tucker. I wanna talk to Ellen.

- Ellen isn't awake just yet.

- She walks around naked in her sleep then?

- Pardon me, Mr. Tucker?

- What about your mother then?

- Mother doesn't receive callers.

- Is Miss Ellen getting up for lunch then?

You use the word "then"

too often, Tucker.

And you mustn't be impertinent.

It's so tedious.

See? I knew she was up.

- If you wander inside, she'll probably rape you.

- There's no rush.

Let's have a little stroll

around the garden and a chat.

- You're capable of doing both

at the same time, are you?

- I'll give it a try.

I can't imagine what we'd talk about.

Morning. Milkman.

- Is that your bird?

- My cat.

- It's nice of you to see me

on the spur of the moment like this.

- I'm very nice.

- Your dressing gown's open.

- Oh. Is it?

I hope you'll forgive me

for barging in on you like this.

But I was wandering all alone

in a strange house...

and everyone was so rude.

- What's your name?

- Tucker.

- It'll have to do, I suppose.

- Oh, not necessarily.

I could change it if you like.

That sounds like some sort

of proposal, Mr. Tucker.

Something just dawned on me.

- It just came to me out of thin air.

- How exciting.

Are you thirsty?

It's so humid in here.

- Don't you think?

- No.

It's only iced tea.

Don't you want to know

what's just come to me out of thin air?

I'm breathlessly

awaiting the announcement.

It was as you moved

your head there.

I had this feeling that you were Ellen

Prendergast, but it was only a hunch.

Do I know you, Tucker, or just your type?

- I'll tell you a secret.

- Must you?

- My goodness. A concealed weapon.

- It's a terrible burden on me.

We must all bear our crosses,

mustn't we, Mr. Tucker?

I am a private investigator.

- Are you a dangerous man, Mr. Tucker?

- Only when excited.

- Do you think...

- Twice as fast as you do.

Do you think I might have

a small talk with your mother?

Small talk is all

you'll get from Mother.

She doesn't often have

uninvited gentlemen callers.

Not to change the subject, but did you

ever know a man named Conroy?

That's a common name.

Conroy what?

- Fred.

- Conroy Fred?

- No. Fred Conroy.

- I never heard of him.

- A friend of yours, is he, Tucker?

- No.

You haven't said why

you're asking these questions.

That's right. I haven't.

- But I haven't given you many answers, have I?

- No. You're very tight-lipped.

Do you think so? Actually, you should talk

to Mommy. She loves to gossip.

The way I hear it,

she isn't seeing anybody.

- Nonsense. Where did you ever get that idea?

- Your sister.

Mianne is overprotective.

She's a goody-goody.

Mother's like me.

We both thrive on mysterious visitors.

- Really?

- Really. She'll get a big kick out of you.

Mother? This is a Mr. Tucker to see you.

Can you smell it?

- Smell what?

- A hint of perfume in the air...

In a room where a princess has slept.

I don't believe

I know you, Mr. Plucker.

Uh, Tucker, ma'am. I'm a private investigator.

I appreciate you seeing me.

I'll leave you alone.

You two behave while I'm gone.

I'll be brief, ma'am.

I'm trying to trace a child...

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