“Thanks,” she said throatily.

I went back over to the sofa and sat down.

In the kitchen, I could see Bob Elgin’s back and hear the rattling of cups and saucers. Bob Elgin said, “Want to join us in a cup of coffee, Lam?”

“No, thanks. I’ve been drinking coffee off and on all day.”

“What are you detecting, Mr. Lam?” the blonde asked.

“I was just trying to get a line on a cute blonde.”

“So many people do,” she assured me.

“This one is a pocket edition — short, well-formed, high cheekbones, dark brown eyes, not much over five feet tall, and her first name may be Lucille.”

She sat absolutely rigid for a moment, then she looked out towards the kitchenette and said, “Do we know her, Bob?”

“We don’t,” Elgin said.