“Good morning,” he said. “There’s quite a crowd, sir.”
De Medici nodded. He recalled there was to be an auction of the Ballau treasures. Money was needed to pay the dead man’s debts and provide his daughter with expenses.
“Started yet?” he asked.
“Yes.”
Donovan’s eyes took in the vestibule. He came a step closer and added:
“You know, Mr. De Medici, there’s been a lot of clews around here.”
De Medici assumed an air of polite conspiratorial interest.
“Yes,” went on Donovan, “and I didn’t tell all I knew to none of them, seeing it wasn’t anything that would help. But I’ll tell you, sir. Things weren’t all right in the Ballau apartment for some time. Many the time I’ve passed their door and heard screaming. A woman screaming and Mr. Ballau arguing with her....”
The doorman straightened and resumed his doorman manner. A group of visitors to the auction had entered.
“We’ll talk more about it later,” De Medici murmured and stepped toward the elevator.