The Shadow

Aspirin can only do so much, and The Shadow is past due for a rest by the time he returns to his own world, but there are details to clear up first. The PINpoint makes things easier, but it’s still a chore to return Derring’s body to the bookshop. Physically incapable of dragging him upstairs, The Shadow manages to fine tune the PINpoint to take them both the short distance from downstairs to the upper room where the circle remains. Another trip brings up the books. A few of the volumes strike him as suspicious enough to hold onto, but the rest he dumps beside the body. Garbage bags removed, Derring is left sprawled on the floor with them, his head inside the chalk circle. The Shadow has taken a little time to prepare for this, and brought lighter fluid, which he pours lightly along the chalked line. Bending with difficulty, he relights the ceremonial candles, and tips just one.
From the doorway he watches long enough to see the fire crackling it’s way through floorboards, and slowly working at the remains of the man who caused the trouble. There will be questions, ones the police are not likely to ever find answers to. The bullet can’t be helped. He is too tired to care. When the upper story begins to become a dangerous place to stand, he slips downstairs and out, to call the fire department before any neighbouring buildings are threatened. Then The Shadow slips down an alley, calls a cab in the next street, and makes his way toward the Sanctum. Burbank will be notified. The case is closed, and that’s all the agents need to know.