“Uh huh.”
“You don’t seem surprised.”
“No.”
“Trying to pump you for information,” Bertha said angrily, “is a hopeless task. You have to pour in more than you can hope to take out. What I’m trying to tell you is that she’s hot. If you know where she is, or if you’ve hid her out, you’re going to get your fingers burned.”
“How’s the war-construction business coming along?”
Instantly Bertha went on the defensive. Her aggressive manner disappeared. She was suavely polite. “Bertha’s going to have to talk with you about that, lover.”
“What about it?”
“If anyone should ask you any questions, remember that while you aren’t familiar with the details, you’re the big executive. Bertha hasn’t been feeling well lately. I think it’s her heart, and she’s got to rely more and more on you. Bertha signed this contract. There’s some money in it, if we watch things carefully and don’t let those carpenters slip things over on us. But you’ve got to take over most of the management.”
“On account of your heart?” I asked.
“Yes.”