“But, Donald, you — I mean I—”
“You register as Roberta Lam,” I said. “I register under my own name. From now on we’re brother and sister. Our mother is very low. We hurried to be at her side.”
“And I’m Roberta Lam?”
“Yes.”
“Donald, aren’t you putting yourself in a dangerous position?”
“Why?”
“Giving me the protection of your name, when you know I’m wanted by the police.”
“I didn’t know you were wanted by the police. Why didn’t you tell me?”
She smiled. “It’s a nice alibi, Donald, but it won’t work. They’ll ask you why it was you spirited me around, using an assumed name and an assumed relationship if you didn’t realize that police were looking for me under my own name.”
“The answer to that is very simple,” I said. “You’re a material witness. I think I can use you to solve a murder. I’m keeping you with me. In place of reporting to Bertha Cool by letter, I’m taking you with me so she can hear your entire story.”