She laughed. “Oh, I’ve seen your picture dozens of times, and had you pointed out to me in nightclubs. You probably don’t realize it, Mr. Mason, but you’re something of a popular idol here in the city — definitely more than a celebrity.”
“I’m flattered,” Mason murmured.
She looked up at his profile, and said, “My, I’d certainly hate to have you cross-examine me.”
“And I,” Mason said, “would hate to have to cross-examine you. Anyone who can avoid questions as well as you would make a deadly witness.”
“Why? What question was I avoiding?”
“You haven’t told me your name — as yet.”
She laughed and said, “That’s right. I haven’t. I’m not even certain that I will, Mr. Mason… Rather clever, those detectives, aren’t they?”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“One of them evidently stayed at the entrance where I went in. The other’s circling the block. Here he comes now. Shall we try to ditch him, or string him along?”
Mason said, “Oh, let’s string him along. They’re getting paid by the day, and we may as well give him a break. I hope my entering into the picture doesn’t cause complications.”