She sneered. “What a mouthful,” she said. “I can look after myself, big boy, don’t let that grieve you. I’ve done it before, an’ I’ll keep on doin’ it. I ain’t tellin’ you a thing. If you’re so anxious, try and find out for yourself.”
I shrugged and let her go. “Okay, wise guy,” I said. “Go ahead and work on your own. Don’t say I haven’t warned you.”
She pulled on her dress and fixed her hat. As she closed her case, she said: “The next time you see me, raise your lid. I shall be in the money.”
That crack told me something. Blondie had her eye on some easy dough. That meant blackmail. It explained why she wanted to work on her own. It explained quite a lot of things.
I said: “You watch your step, Blondie. That game’s dangerous.”
Her face was expressionless. She picked up her bag and moved to the door. “I’ll get by,” she said. “If I don’t see you again, keep sober.”
She opened the door and stepped into the passage. I watched her walk away, her tall figure swaying a little and her head held high.
I was just going back to my room when I saw the guy opposite standing in his doorway. His eyes were popping.
“Still seein’ things?” I asked pleasantly, and went inside, shutting the door quietly against his palpitating curiosity.