Charles Starkweather & Caril Fugate

Pansy, Caril's grandmother came over to her daughter's house. Caril seemed to know that her grandmother wasn't going to fall for the flu story so she embroidered on one of the other stories she had made up. "Go home, Grandma. Oh, Granny, go away! Mommy's life is in danger if you don't."

Pansy became angry that Caril wouldn't let her in. "If you don't open this door this second, I'm going to go to town and get a search warrant. You've got Chuck in there with you, and don't try to tell me you don't!"

Caril refused to let her in and Pansy went to the police. Finally the police at Pansy's insistence went made a cursory look inside the house, even though they didn't have a warrant. The house was empty. The police were satisfied that there seemed to be no sign of disorder or violence inside the house.

Later that day, Bob Von Busch demanded that the police make a thorough search of the property, but they refused. Meanwhile, Guy Starkweather had been trying to get the police to pick up his son for questioning, but he too was refused.

Bob Von Busch and his brother went out to the Bartlett house and searched the property on their own. One look inside the outhouse and the chicken coop confirmed their worst fears. This time the police paid him some attention.

The police bulletin went out to pick up Charlie Starkweather and Caril Fugate. What the police did not appreciate was that this was just the second act of this escalating drama.