The Madman Theory

Cast of Characters

SERGEANT EASLEY — He couldn’t understand why he got the tough jobs while his boss did his sleuthing in night clubs at the taxpayers’ expense.

INSPECTOR OMAR COLLINS — All he wanted was to finish the case fast and get home to his bride. But the killer had other ideas.

ROY PHELPS — Why did people have to pick his park for a murder? Especially one like this, that wasn’t even wholesome and outdoorsey.

EARL GENNEMAN — An honest and successful businessman, devoted husband and indulgent father; who but a madman would hate him enough to want to blow his head off?

MYRON RETWIG — Genneman’s best friend. He looked like an old-time Prussian general, but his hobby was playing with toy trains.

BOB VEGA — The manager of one of Genneman’s subsidiary companies. He was too busy juggling wives, ex-wives and wives-to-be to have time to juggle the books.

BUCK JAMES — Genneman’s star salesman — the engaging, personable type who usually marries the boss’ daughter.

RED KERSHAW — Genneman’s shiftless brother-in-law — he dabbled in horses and women, but murder was too rich for his blood.

POLICE CAPT. BIGELOW — All his men loved him. He never interfered with their work — as long as he got the credit for it.

OPAL GENNEMAN — Genneman’s wife, the woman who had everything — but the one thing she didn’t need was a dead husband.

JEAN GENNERMAN — Genneman’s lovely stepdaughter, and closer to the murdered man than his own son.

EARL, JR. — Genneman’s son. He wasn’t even a shaving off the old block — just a teenage beatnik with a chip on his shoulder.

LORNA COLLINS — Inspector Collins’ curvaceous bride. Her fried chicken tasted like cardboard, but the rest of her attributes were top drawer.

STEVE RICKS — A cowboy musician in a cheap honky-tonk. He wound up riding the rails — with no hands.

J. K. MANSFIELD — His name was on the check that identified Ricks. But what were the “Services rendered?”

MRS. RAMON MENDEZ — She spotted Ricks’ missing car and noticed the driver resting before he disappeared. Too bad she didn’t know what strenuous activities he’d been engaged in.

MOLLY WILKERSON — Ricks’ girl friend. She was a broad with principles. She wouldn’t protect anyone she thought was crooked — unless the price was high enough.

BELVA DIDRICK — Steve’s married playmate. He told her about the practical joke he was playing, but even he couldn’t tell her the name of the fall guy.