Why does Mr. Shelley--------with support from Mr. Lovelady---------pretend for the benefit of the WC that he didn't run off the steps and encounter Mrs. Calvery out by "the corner of the park"?
I have no idea why he would try to delete this seemingly innocuous detail.
Well, the operative word here is 'seemingly'.
There's nothing innocuous about the
radical change from the story Mr. Shelley tells in his affidavit (meeting Ms. Calvery out by the corner of the park... returning inside the building) to the story he tells the WC (remaining on the steps until Ms. Calvery comes running up... only then going out with Mr. Lovelady to the 'island'... then walking west with Mr. Lovelady towards the railroad yards... and only THEN re-entering the building).
This isn't faulty memory, for pete's sake. Mr. Shelley is lying through his teeth, as is Mr. Lovelady.
Why? What are they hiding?
If it's the Adams-Styles thing, all Mr. Shelley need do is say 'I met Gloria out by the corner of the park, then went back to the front steps, then me and Billy went down to the railroad tracks for a few minutes.'
No. This is all about the front entrance. Something to do with Mr. Oswald, the man you're desperate to keep off the front steps.
Which brings us back to Officer Baker's dash to the woman holding up the paper bag.................