“That’s dandy.”
Kells went into the kitchen, switched on the light. He looked out the kitchen window and then he went to a tall cupboard — the kind of cupboard where brooms are kept in a modern apartment — opened the door.
Fenner came out, blinking in the bright light. He said: “I would have had” — he swallowed — “would have had to come out in another minute. I nearly smothered.”
“That’s too bad.”
Beery stood in the doorway. He said: “For the love of—”
Fenner went past Beery into the living room, sat down. He was breathing hard.
Kells strolled in behind him and sat down across the room, facing him.
Fenner took out a handkerchief and dabbed at his mouth and forehead. He said: “I followed her as you suggested — and when she went in through the lobby, I came up the side stair intending to meet her up here.”
Kells smiled gently, nodded.
“I didn’t want to be seen following her through the lobby, you know.”