‘She’s not due in the restaurant until eleven-thirty,’ Luigi said, and consulted his watch. ‘About five minutes. Shall I tell her you would like her to join you?’
‘Yeah, do that. I’l be in the bar.’
Dallas went across to the lobby. Schmidt touched his cap when he saw him. He approved of Dallas.
‘Seen Miss Norton?’ Dal as asked, pausing.
‘Yes, sir. She’s in the club. I expect you’l find her in her dressing-room.’
‘She’s not there. If you spot her, tel her I’m in the bar.’
He saw Gillis sitting in a corner of the bar with a blonde girl who didn’t look much older than seventeen. She had a pretty, vicious little face, and she was leaning forward across the table so Gillis could see down the front of her low-cut gown. Gillis looked casually amused, and glanced up. He saw Dallas come in and gave him a broad wink.
Dallas called for a double Scotch and sat on a stool up at the bar and talked to the barman. He watched Gillis in the mirror behind the bar. After a while, Gillis and the girl went into the restaurant.
Dallas decided he’d have another look for Zoe.
Luigi was just coming back to the entrance after seeing Gillis and his companion to their table. He shook his head at Dallas.