"Yeah? Ha. Ha. A gag got you up here so fast, did it? Try something else, doll."
"I came up because I'm afraid other people will misunderstand ... like you."
"Don't hand me that. I seen the fuss you and him made Thursday. I figured it out. That guy's off his rocker. He ought to be put away. He ain't fit to hang out with sane people. He's dangerous." Aimee crushed out the cigarette violently. "No wonder he beat hell outa me last week. I'm lucky I didn't get killed."
"Then are you going to the police?"
"So help me, I ought to. But I'm willing to be a right guy if he'll keep away from me ... and make it worth while. He can afford it, being a big-shot writer."
"How much?" Gabby asked.
Aimee gave her a poker face. "Ten grand."
Gabby mustered herself and began her first lie. She burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" Aimee demanded.
"Your price. You'll have to be a little more realistic."