“Connie?” the Saint repeated, knowing even as he said it how it must have happened.
“She was waiting for him in the car while he went up to your place to leave his things. He was going to stay with you, wasn’t he?”
Simon nodded.
“Where is he?”
“Bellevue. They got the bullet out of him. Whitey says they think he’s got a fifty-fifty chance.” Grady’s face furrowed with pain. “The poor kid... He’s a helluva fine boy, Saint. I’ve just been a damn fool, and that’s a fact!”
He glared at Simon defensively.
“Listen, Mike.” The Saint gripped his arm. “Whoever did it must’ve thought it was me. It could only have been one of Spangler’s men. It was my fault that this happened.”
“But why should Spangler want to do you in?”
“He’s afraid that I’ll find out what he’s been up to. I started the whole thing by butting in after the Torpedo Smith fight. Now I’ve got to finish it. Listen — I’ve to take Steve’s place tomorrow night.”
Grady’s eyes bulged.