I said, “Use your head. She’ll be in bed. I can’t go out there and wake her up and say, ‘Permit me to present Mrs. Cool—’ ”
“Nuts. If she’s in bed, you’re not going near her. You’re not the type. You’d stand guard in front of the door. Donald Lam, what the hell are you up to?”
“I told you.”
“Yes, you did. I’m getting so I know you like a book. You’ve got some trick up your sleeve.”
“All right,” I said. “Come along if you want to.”
“That’s better.”
We walked down to the taxicab.
“What is it?” Bertha asked.
I told the cab driver, “I want you to drive out of town until I tell you to stop, then let us off, and wait until we come back.”
He looked at me suspiciously.