Amelia Jasper screamed angrily. “Take that man out of here! I demand it.”
“Go on,” I said. “Get a doctor.”
Sellers hesitated a moment, then said, “You’re nuts, Lam. You can’t pull things like that. You’re talking in order to get yourself an out.”
“Don’t be a fool,” I told him. “You can see the whole play now. The sudden flare-up of sciatic rheumatism is due to the fact that the first shot that was fired in the KOZY DELL SLUMBER COURT went into her hip.”
“Sergeant,” Amelia Jasper said, her face a mask of fury, “I demand that you all leave my house immediately. I have stood all the insults I intend to take. Susie, will you go to the telephone and telephone police headquarters in the event…”
“I’m sorry,” Frank Sellers apologised.
He reached over, caught my coat collar and jerked me to my feet. “Come on, Lam. You’ve masterminded me into a helluva situation. On your way. This is what comes of trying to give you and Bertha a break.”
He slammed me around until I started to fall and I unconsciously flung out my hands to catch myself. The steel of the handcuffs bit into my wrist, made me numb with the pain.
Sellers said, “I hope you’ll excuse it, please, Mrs. Jasper. I was just trying to get the case cleared up. This fellow sold me a bill of goods.”
“Open the door for them, Susie,” Mrs. Jasper commanded.