Vanishing Ladies

Q: Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

A: I do.

Q: What is your name?

A: Philip Colby.

Q: How old are you, Mr Colby?

A: Twenty-four.

Q: Do you live in this state?

A: No, sir. I live in the adjoining state.

Q: What first brought you to this state?

A: I came on vacation, sir.

Q: And when was that?

A: My vacation started on Monday morning, June 3rd.

Q: What sort of work do you do?

A: I’m a detective.

Q: A private detective?

A: No, sir. I work for the city. Right across the river, sir. The 23rd Precinct.

Q: But you were not at Sullivan’s Point on police work, is that right?

A: That’s right. I went to Sullivan’s Point on vacation.

Q: What made you choose it as your vacation spot?

A: I didn’t choose it, sir. Ann did.

Q: Ann?

A: Ann Grafton. My fiancée.

Q: I see. And when you chose Sullivan’s Point, had you any idea at the time that you would become involved in police work?

A: That was the farthest thing from my mind, sir. I was looking forward to a vacation. The 23rd can... can become trying at times.

Q: But you nonetheless did become involved in police work?

A: Yes, sir, I did. That is... well, of a nonofficial nature.

Q: And were there any other policemen involved in this work?

A: Yes, sir. Detective Tony Mitchell. He works at the 23rd, too.

Q: Would you please tell the court exactly what happened?

A: Where do you want me to start, sir? It’s a pretty involved thing, and-

Q: Start with the morning of June 3rd. Start with the day your vacation started.

A: Well...