“You're not still thinking of getting her out, are you, honey?”
“No,” I lied.
“That's a good boy.” There was a pause. “What have you done with what we got?”
“It's in a safe place.”
“I think it'll be safer together.”
“I don't know.”
“Yes. Bring it out tomorrow afternoon.”
This was a command. “Okay,” I said.
“Don't forget, honey; around two tomorrow afternoon.”
“I won't.”
I hung up. She'd probably decided I was getting too big a cut. I found the bottle of rye and poured myself half a tumblerful. I got my hat and went down the hall to the elevator. When the elevator came I heard a door open up the hall towards my room.
It was hot out on the street. I walked towards town. Near the big movie theatre I stopped in a lunch-counter joint and had three hamburgers, a whole dill pickle and two bottles of beer. Then I had some fresh peach pie. Strange Cargo was playing at the movie. A sign said: cool inside. About a block further down the street I got an idea a man was following me. I looked back and saw a big man in a black suit. I went by McGee's office building and around the block. The man tagged along. I went into the office building. McGee was sitting at the desk in his private office. He made washing motions with his hands when he saw me. “You seem to be in trouble, Craven,” he said.
“What kind of trouble?”
His eyes watched me out the triangles of flesh. “There has been a robbery at the Vineyard.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes. A man was killed and it is believed a sum of money was taken.”
“I didn't know they kept any money out there,” I said. “How much?”
“The exact sum is not known.” He leaned over the desk. “But the point is: they suspect you of having taken it.”
“Me?”
“One of the Brothers reported you struck him the other day.”
“I did,” I said. “But that was so I could talk with the Grayson gal.”
He nodded. “I know.” He washed his hands again. “But there are other things. You were seen at the Vineyard with me.”
I shrugged my shoulders and looked at him. He went on:
“And most important, you were seen leaving the Vineyard early this morning.”
“Who saw me?”
“The same Brother.”
I wished I had hit his head a little harder, so it had split. “That doesn't look so good,” I admitted.
He tapped his fingers on the desk. “Did you take the money?”
“Hell, no.”
“You did not kill the guard?”
“I don't know anything about it.”
“You're-ah-quite sure?”
“Christ, yes!” I said. “I ought to know who I kill, hadn't I?”
“What were you doing out there last night?”
“Early this morning's more like it,” I said. “I wanted to take a look around. I've been thinking I might have to kidnap the Grayson girl, after all.”
My story didn't get over so good. “I thought,” he said “we agreed that we wouldn't do that?”
“Well, nothing else seemed to do any good.”
“That's true. Quite true.” He looked down at his hands “It is too bad.”
“I don't know,” I said.
“I don't believe you follow me, Craven. It is too bad it will be necessary for you to leave town.”
“Me leave town? Don't make me laugh.”
“I am not trying to be funny, Craven. You say you did not steal the money. I believe you.”
“That's white of you.”
lie went right along. “Hut the Brothers do not. They are very dangerous when aroused. It is not safe for you
