“What is all this?”
Benny began to look bewildered. “Well, I don’t know,” he said. “I found this note when I got home.” He gave Johnson a slip of paper.
Jay sat up on the bench and watched all this with interest. He smelt a news story.
Johnson read the note and handed it back. “There’s no one of the name of Perminger booked last night. We didn’t pull anyone in from that address. I guess she’s havin’ a game with you.”
Benny stood staring at the note. “Maybe they didn’t bring her here. Could they take her anywhere else?”
“There’s the station on West 47th Street. I’ll ask them.” Johnson pulled the phone towards him and put the enquiry through. After a short wait he shook his head and hung up. “No, they don’t know anythin’ about it.”
Benny began to sweat. “What am I goin’ to do?” he asked.
Johnson was getting bored with him. “It’s your wife, buddy,” he said. “Most like she’s havin’ a little game with you. You go back home. You’ll find her waitin’ for you.”
Benny turned away from the desk and moved slowly towards the door.
Johnson looked at Jay. “That guy’s got a leak in his conk,” he said under his breath.