Bertha Cool stood over the desk. “I’ve heard of lots of outrages being perpetrated on citizens, but this is—”
“You were held on suspicion of burglary last night, Mrs. Cool. I don’t think that any disposition has been made of the charge, but the order came through to release you pending a further investigation.”
“Oh, I see,” Bertha said. “You’re threatening me now. If I start anything, you’re going to bring up that burglary charge, are you? I—”
“I don’t know anything at all about it, Mrs. Cool. I’m simply telling you the state of the record. It’s our custom to do that with persons who are held on suspicion of crime. Good morning, Mrs. Cool.”
Bertha still stood there. “I’m a business woman. I have important things to do in connection with running my business. Taking me away from my work, holding me all night on a trumped-up charge—”
“Your time’s valuable?”
“Certainly.”
“I wouldn’t waste any more of it standing here then, Mrs. Cool.”
Bertha said, “I’m not going to. I just want to leave you a message for Sergeant Sellers. Tell him that his threat didn’t work, will you? Tell him that I’m going to have his scalp, and now, GOOD MORNING!”
Bertha Cool turned toward the door.