Peltham said, “I don’t want you to bother about that. I have my own ways of handling those tilings. What I want you to do is to protect her.”
“From what?” Mason asked.
“From everything.”
“And who is she?”
Peltham said, “First I want to know whether you’ll accept the employment.”
“I’d have to know more about it,” Mason told him.
“What, for instance?”
“Exactly what you think is going to happen — what you want her protected against.”
Peltham lowered his eyes to study the carpet for several thoughtful seconds.
“She’s here,” Mason said. “Why not bring her in?”