Harris gaped at him. “Jeeze,” he exclaimed, “that’s smart!”
He took the case from Jay and got up. “I’ll see him right away. You wait here.”
He came back again after some time, his fat face beaming. “That’s a laugh,” he declared. “You’ve lost your case. He took it all right, said it was his, gave me a buck for my trouble and shut the door in my face.”
Jay sat back limply. “Goddam it,” he said with a weak grin, “that shows he’s a crook.”
Harris nodded. “I’ve fixed a room for you,” he said, “you can move up whenever you like.”
Jay got to his feet. “I’m on my way,” he said, and left Harris still grinning.
9
September 8th, 4.30 p.m.
LU ELLER walked casually down the corridor leading to Raven’s suite. He knew Raven was out. He had seen him leave not five minutes ago. He’d been waiting for him to go for a long time. Even now he’d got to be careful. Someone else beside Sadie might be in the suite.
He listened outside the door for several minutes, but couldn’t hear anything. Then he knocked softly.