“Well, you can’t leave until we’ve finished our investigations.”
“When’s that going to be?”
“I don’t know.”
I said, “I’ll report to Bertha Cool. If she tells me to go to Los Angeles, I’m going.”
“I’m not going to permit it.”
I said, “If I’m locked up, I won’t go. If I’m not locked up, I’m going. How about having the Lieutenant take me to the Sal Sagev Hotel?”
Laster said, “Don’t be silly. It’s only a couple of blocks. You’re a cool customer, Lam. Kleinsmidt told me as much, but—”
“Nuts. I’m giving you all the breaks. I could make you send me back to Los Angeles. I may yet, after I’ve talked with Bertha Cool. Right now, all I’m saying is that I want to go to the Sal Sagev Hotel.”
Kleinsmidt got up from his chair. “Come on, Lam,” he said.
There was a police car outside. Kleinsmidt was grinning as I got in.