Gollowitz chuckled.
'As the legal representative of the Norgate Union I take under my care any of its members, and Miss Coleman happens to be a member.'
'Yeah, I should have thought of that,' Conrad said, and glanced over at Forest.
'He wants to see her right now,' Forest said.
'And no one can stop me seeing her,' Gollowitz said smoothly. 'I don't have to tell you that.' He got up and leaning forward tapped a paper lying on Forest's desk. 'You're satisfied with this, aren't you?'
'I guess so,' Forest said, shrugging. He looked over at Conrad. 'You'd better ask Miss Coleman if she wants to see Mr. Gollowitz. We'll wait.'
Conrad nodded and went out of the office. He was sure Frances would want to see Gollowitz, and he stood for a moment thinking. He could warn her, but was she in the mood to listen to warnings? Did she realize the danger she was in? Once Gollowitz got her away from the D.A.'s office, she would disappear. He was sure of that.
He returned to his office.
'Get me six photographs of any of our customers,' he said to Van Roche, 'and include in the six a picture of Maurer.'
Van Roche went to the files, and after a minute or so handed Conrad six halfplate prints.
'I want you to come up with me,' Conrad said. 'When I give you the tip, bring Weiner into Miss Coleman's room. Okay?'
Van Roche looked startled.
'What's the idea?'
'You'll see. We haven't much time. Come on, let's get upstairs.'
They rode up in the elevator to the tenth floor.
'Stick with Weiner until I send for you,' Conrad said, and walked quickly down the passage to Frances's door.
Jackson and Norris, still at their posts outside the door, gave him bored nods as he rapped. The door was opened by Madge. There was an exasperated expression on her face.
'Is she being difficult?' Conrad asked, keeping his voice down.
'I'll say she is.'
Conrad nodded and walked into the inner room. He was aware of a feeling of suppressed excitement to see Frances again, even after only a few hours.
She was looking out of the window. The nurse got to her feet and went out silently when she saw Conrad.
'I hope you're feeling better now, Miss Coleman,' Conrad said.
She turned quickly. Her eyes were angry and she came across the room to face Conrad.
'I want to go home!' she said fiercely. 'You have no right to keep me here!'
'I know,' Conrad said mildly. He thought how animated she looked in her anger. Not like Janey's anger. There was nothing spiteful about this girl, 'And I'm sorry about it, Miss Coleman. We don't think it's safe for you to leave just yet.'
'I'm the judge of that!'
'Are you?' He smiled at her, hoping to win a smile from her, but she remained straight-faced and angry, staring at him. 'Look, sit down, won't you? If after what I'm going to tell you you still want to go home, then I'll have to let you go. I can't hold you here against your will.'
Her anger began to fade, but her eyes were suspicious.
'I don't want to listen. I just want to go right now.'
'I wish you would try to be reasonable. We're only thinking of your own safety. Why do you imagine that gunman tried to kill you? Have you thought of that?'
He saw uncertainty chase suspicion out of her eyes.
'He – he must have been mad.'
'Do you really think so?' Conrad sat down. 'Sit down for a moment. I won't keep you long.'
She hesitated, then sat down, her fists tight clenched on her knees.
'You're still quite sure you didn't see anyone when you were at Miss Arnot's place?' Conrad asked, taking the six photographs from his pocket.
He saw her face tighten.
'I've already said I didn't see anyone. If you're going to start all that over again . . .'
'Please be patient with me. Would you look at these photographs and tell me if you recognize any of the faces?'
He handed her the photographs and she took them reluctantly. She shuffled through them, and when she came to Maurer's photograph he saw her stiffen. She dropped the photographs as if they had become red hot and jumped to her feet.
'I'm not going to have any more of this!' she cried, her face pale.'I insist on going home!'
