Westland, NY, Saturday, July 20, 1929
Before departing for the pawn shop, the investigators drank coffee. Otis went to the church to “make some preparations of his own.” He said that he would meet them back at the Kovacs house at noon.
At the Pawn Shop
At Lavec’s Pawn Shop, they found that it was fairly typical of that sort shop. One of the owners, Jonathan LaVec, knew Eric Rarsch well, since the Rarsch family has pawned a lot of stuff at his store. Eric told him that they were looking for shotguns and also for silver for an experiment. Jonathan said that Madelaine behind the counter was their precious metals authority, but she and Eric did not have an amicable relationship. Eric suggested that Mookie talk to her.
Jonathan took Eric to his nephew Willie, who was a little simple and also went to school together, who showed him the available stock. Eric asked for weapons to shoot vermin at a farm he was caring for with, Willie said that large gauge had a wider dispersal, but smaller gauge shot went further. Eric said that they were looking to hit things that moved pretty fast, so the dispersal would probably be more useful. Willie suggest two 20 gauge shotguns, one of which was in mint condition, while the other was quite serviceable as well.
Mookie and Sam went to the counter to speak to Madelaine. She seemed aloof. Sam convinced her that they were looking for bulk silver to melt down for an experiment. Madelaine showed them three silver platters. Madelaine agreed to sell Mookie all three for $25 if he agreed to take her to dinner. He said that he would take her out once the experiments were completed, and they exchanged business cards.
Jonathan provided a family discount for the transaction of two shotguns and three silver platters. He threw in six boxes of 20 gauge shells for free and a pipe for Sam. The total came to $78, and Sam had that much with him. Mookie also found WWI field medical kit that had an ample supply of bandages and other non-medicinal components for $5 and two kerosene lamps for $5 as well.
As they left the shop, Mookie winked at Madelaine, who blushed and turned away coyly.
At the Geology Lab
Sam, Eric and Mookie went to the Geology lab on campus to melt down the silver platters. Eric knew how to make silver filings for the shotgun shells fairly easily based on other experiments that have been done with silver in the lab in the past. They made 50 shells with silver projectiles, and also four sets of “silver knuckles” with the surplus. They were soft, but thick enough that they would bend by not break when they hit something.
At the Kovacs House
Sam, Eric and Mookie returned to the Kovacs house at 3:00. Otis was already there, and had brought coffee and sandwiches from the church, as well as an agricultural sprayer that he said was full of holy water. They ate the repast. Otis added some prayers for their success. Then they left for Stuckley.