‘Where is she?’
‘She was at the Beach Hotel, but she isn’t there now. I’m not giving you any more until I get the money. I know why Ded- rick was kidnapped. I tell you, I can lift the lid right off this racket, but I’m going to be paid first.’
‘Okay. I have a car outside. Come down to my office. You’ll have your money and can talk in comfort.’
‘I’m not moving from here. You might take me anywhere.’
‘I’ll take you to my office. Come on.’
‘No! I’m not all that crazy.’
‘What did Barratt want just now?’
‘I don’t know. He comes to see the boy. That’ll show you how they treat me. He doesn’t bother to see me. He just talks to the boy and goes away again. Lute hasn’t been near me since he went off with that woman.’
‘You mean Mary Jerome?’
‘I don’t know who it was. It might have been her. I didn’t see her. She telephoned. I heard Lute talking to her. He said, ‘All right, baby, don’t get so excited. I’m coming right over. He didn’t even bother to say good-bye. He took the car and went, and I haven’t seen him since.’