I got up to town around twelve o’clock. It seemed all wrong after the silence of the fishing-lodge. I went into a bar and bought myself a drink. After I had wasted a little time I went round to the Globe building.
Johnson was waiting for me outside the place. I thought that was funny, but I didn’t say anything. The way he shipped me into a taxi made me think he was anxious not to be seen with me.
I said, “You certainly gave me a surprise.”
He fidgeted with his tie. “Yes, I’m mighty sorry about all this,” he said.
“All right. Let’s have a drink first and then we can talk about it. You tell me, how’re things with you?”
He shrugged a little. “Oh, I’m making out all right.”
“And the wife?”
“Yes, she’s fine.”
We rode the block in silence after that. I was beginning to get the jitters. We got out at a quiet restaurant off the main street that was unlikely to be crowded, and we made our way upstairs.
When we got settled, and after we had knocked back a few drinks, I thought it time for him to get down to things.