‘Souki? Is that the chauffeur’s name?’
‘According to the letters he had in his pocket, it’s his name. Did you see anyone on your way up; any car?’
‘No. As soon as we found the body I told Kerman to ‘phone your people. Before he could do so this girl arrived.’
Brandon pulled at his thick nose.
‘Yeah, now about this girl: what did she call herself?’
‘Mary Jerome.’
‘Yeah; Mary Jerome.’ He allowed a cloud of cigar smoke to obscure his face, went on, ‘She said she was Mrs. Dedrick’s secretary: right?’
‘Yes.’
‘She isn’t staying at the Orchid Hotel.’
I didn’t say anything.