The Innocent Woman

“At the jewelers?”

“Yes.”

“You mean jewelry was stolen?”

“As to that, I’m not sure. But I believe a sum of money was taken.”

“You mean tonight?”

“Now there,” Steve said, “We just don’t know. But there’s every indication it could have been tonight. In which case, what you saw might or might not be important. Which is why I’m here. To find out what you saw. To evaluate it. And if you did see anything important, to advise you whether or not you should report it to the police.”

“The police?” Branstein said again.

“Absolutely. You may well be a witness. If you are, as an attorney, I would advise you to report what you’ve seen to the police at once.”

“Good lord.”

Steve smiled. “There’s no reason to be concerned. The police can be annoying at times, but in your case I think they’d be grateful for your cooperation. I know it’s a hassle, but if you saw something, it is your duty to come forward. Unless, of course, it has no bearing on the case.”

“How could it have no bearing on the case?”

Steve said, “Tell you what. I’m an attorney. If you tell me, I’m willing to take the responsibility.”

“What responsibility?”

“Of advising you whether or not you have to report to the police. If I advise you not to, you’re off the hook. Even if the police were to decide you should have reported to them, you could simply pass the buck.”

Branstein frowned. “Why would you do that?”

“I told you. I’m interested in the case. I’m willing to put myself in that position in order to hear what you know.” When Branstein hesitated, Steve said, “But that’s entirely up to you. If you don’t want to tell me, I suggest that you call the police now.”

“Wait a minute,” Branstein said. “Now you’re putting me in the position where you’re telling me to call the police, and if I don’t do it, it’s my fault.”

“I’m not trying to put you in any position,” Steve said. “I’m only trying to be fair.”

Steve stood up. “I’m sorry we bothered you. Please feel free to act on your information any way you see fit.”

Branstein sprang from his chair. “Hold on, hold on,” he said. “Let’s not be hasty. I didn’t say I wouldn’t talk to you. I just want to know the score.”

“Of course you do,” Steve said. “The problem is, I can’t tell you the score because I don’t know what your information is.”

Branstein exhaled. Came to a decision. “Sit down,” he said. “Let’s talk this over.”

Steve gave Tracy a look, then glanced at his watch. He sat back down and said, “Very well, but we do have to be going.”

“Fine,” Branstein said. “This should only take a minute. Now then, the only question was, did I see anybody going into the jewelers tonight?”

“Exactly.”

“The answer is yes. In fact, I saw two people.”

Steve kept a straight face, tried to keep from looking at Tracy. “Two?” he said.

“That’s right.”

“Men or women?”

“Both. A man and a woman.”

“Together?”

“No. At two separate times.”

“I see,” Steve said. “And when would that be?”

“The woman was first. That was early in the evening, say, eight o’clock.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. I’d just finished up with a customer. A guy’d brought in a guitar to be repaired and was picking it up. Particularly fussy. Took it out. Played it. Kept cocking his head and listening to the tone and frowning. Saying it wasn’t exactly what it was like before it was broken.” Branstein grimaced. Shook his head. “No kidding. Thing was cracked in three places. I did a hell of a job on that instrument, if I do say so myself. But the guy was going on like it’s my fault that thing’s not good as new.”

“And that’s when you saw this woman?” Steve prompted.

“That’s right. I’d walked the guy to the door. Good riddance, you know. And there was no one else in the shop. Otherwise I’d have been waiting on another customer. But there was no one there, so I walked him right to the door.

“Which is when I saw her.”

“Who?”

“The woman.”

“What woman.”

Branstein frowned. “That’s the thing. I didn’t really get a good look, you know. I was showing the guy out and I see someone go in. It’s not important. I wouldn’t even remember if you didn’t ask.”

Steve mentally shot himself. “Right,” he said. “This woman- you saw enough to recognize she was a woman?”

“Oh, sure,” Branstein said. “I could tell that. But I only saw her from the back.”

“You’re saying you only had a quick glimpse of her going in the door?”

“Right. Not well enough to recognize her at all.”

“Recognize?” Tracy said.

Steve shot her a look, but Branstein frowned and said, “Maybe recognize is the wrong word. Maybe I should say describe.”

“Can you describe her?” Steve said.

“No. Like I say, I only saw her from the back. I have the impression of short black hair. But I could be wrong.”

“Oh?” Steve said. “And where did you get that impression?”

“That’s the thing,” Branstein said. “I could be making it up. Like I say, I didn’t have a good look. But she reminded me of someone.” He frowned. “I think that’s it, really. The only reason I remember it at all.”

“And what is that?” Steve said.

“What I said. She reminded me of someone.”

“Who?”

“The woman who works there.”

Steve carefully avoided looking at Tracy Garvin. “Oh? he said.

“Yeah,” he said. “That was my first impression. But I’m probably wrong. Because I don’t think she works there anymore. At least, I haven’t seen her around for a while.”

“I see,” Steve said. “And you’re not sure if it really was this woman?”

“Sure?” Branstein said. “I’m not sure at all. It’s not like I saw her face.”

“What about her clothes? Could you describe what she was wearing?”

He shook his head. “No. How should I know it was going to be important?”

“You couldn’t, of course,” Steve said. “Now, this woman that you saw go in-did you happen to see her go out?”

“No.”

“Did you see her again tonight?”

“No, I told you. Just that one time.”

“Did you happen to see any other woman going in or out?”

“Not that I recall.”

“But you did see a man?”