“Suppose they can’t get out?” Jay persisted.
Johnson frowned. “What you hintin’ at?” he demanded. “Do you know anythin’?”
Jay shook his head. “Nope,” he confessed; “but I’m interested. I believe that a woman could be terrorized into prostitution, and I’m lookin’ into it from this angle. I may be wrong, but if I ain’t, I’m going to keep you mighty busy bookin’ the heels who run the racket.”
“You’re wasting your time,” Johnson said. “What you want is an excuse to play around with undesirable floosies. I bet part of your investigation will be meetin’ and talkin’ to these dames.”
Jay shook his head. “I’m serious, Johnson,” he said. “You wait and see. If I do strike on anythin’ you’d better get ready for some heavy work.”
A police officer came in, followed by Benny Perminger. The officer went up to Johnson. “This guy thinks we’ve got his wife in gaol,” he said. “Will you speak to him?”
Johnson looked at Benny doubtfully. “What’s the trouble?” he demanded.
Benny was looking scared. “I’m Ben Perminger,” he said. “I want to see my wife.”
Johnson closed his mouth into a thin line. “I ain’t stoppin’ you,” he said coldly. “She ain’t here.”
“Well, where have you taken her?”