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Cynthia Byrne thanked Dean She paused before adding soft­ly, "Will you be going there? To the motel?"

"Yes," he answered, as he sipped the hot coffee, burning his lip She didn't respond "One other thing," he added "Just a detail Do you remember if your husband was sick on March fourth?" He had to repeat the question

"No," she answered quickly "Iabout March fourth but I know Jeff hasn't been sick for years and years Why?"

"I re the perfect attendance-how your son and husband had a little bet going but his personnel record shows he took a day off, on the fourth of March I was just wondering"

"No That's a one to the doctor or the dentist or some­place? Maybe had the car inspected?"

"I usually run all the errands We use local doctors and dentists and Jeff tries to schedule evening appoint in Philadelphia His office must have ht," Dean said "But just toout of the ordinary happened that day?"

"Yes," she said hesitantly "If you think it's ihtly "It's not really ih"

She thanked hi up

"Problems?" asked Hunter

"No," Dean answered "Just the first little inconsistency"

"Okay," said Hunter as he rose "Let's get out of this here ken­nel and let the hound dogs scrap for the the short drive to the Ocean Shore Motel Dean detailed what he'd learned fro with Byrne's boss in Philadelphia and gave the detective a written copy of his inter­views When Dean described Jeffrey Byrne's quiet life style, Hunter nodded in agreeave me Byrne would come into town, do his business, but that's all He was friendly enough, but no threat to anyone and no corporate clis flen, everyone would sweat and juot out of his chair"

Hunter had interviewed the fisher in the bay However, an ealley table ation revealed nothing There was no taxi report of a pick-up in the area Bus station and airport personnel had been questioned, but no one re of note Byrne's description was far too co the city in the ht, Tuesday-Wednesday