“How?”

“She was in partnership with Beegan. Naturally, he told her everything.”

“In partnership!” Bertha snorted.

“That’s right. They were partners. It was a business arrangement.”

“Oh, yes,” Bertha sneered. “A business arrangement. Of course, he lived in her apartment, but it was just a business arrangement. She’s a dear, sweet little girl, and she couldn’t think of marrying a private detective. Oh, dear, no. And because Beegan was her partner he told her everything. I presume that means he talked to her after he was dead.”

“Will you lay off of her?”

“I’m just trying to keep you from making a fool of yourself. Within six months, you’ll wonder how you could have been such a complete utter ass.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Well, I do. I know it. I’ll tell you something else. If that girl knows who murdered Harry Beegan, she’d better come through with the information. If you ask me, I think it’s a stall. I think she murdered him. She must have. He was found in her apartment.”

“Will you make out a check for what I have coming and quit talking?”