“They did that. Threw me down a flight of stone steps. One of the heels hit me in my eye with his elbow.”
Jay lit a cigarette. He didn’t like the smell of dirt in the room. “That’s what I’ve come to see you about,” he said. “What’s it all about? If I can help you I will.”
Fletcher looked at him suspiciously. “Why?” he demanded. “Why should you want to help me?”
“Now don’t get that way. Been out of a job some time, haven’t you? Now come on, spill it.”
“It’s Janet,” Fletcher began. Then suddenly his thin face crumpled and he began to cry.
Jay pushed his hat to the back of his head and blew out his cheeks. He was very embarrassed. “What you want is a drink,” he said. “You wait. I’ll get you one.”
Fletcher controlled himself with an effort. “No, don’t go away,” he said. “I’m all right. I guess I’m sort of low. I haven’t had much grub.”
“Well, come on. I’ll buy you a lunch.” Jay got up. Fletcher shook his head. “Not now. Later, perhaps, but I want to tell you.” Jay sat down again. “Go ahead,” he said. “It’s my sister, Janet. She went away one morning to work and she didn’t come back. I’ve hunted everywhere. I’ve told the police, but they can’t find her.”
Jay sighed. He knew there were a lot of girls in St. Louis who went out and didn’t come back any more.
“Maybe she went off and got married. Maybe she thought she’d like to go to Hollywood. There’re a lot of girls who suddenly get a bug in their conks and beat it without telling anyone.”