“When?” she asked.
“Right away,” I said.
“I’ll put some things in a bag, and—”
“No, you won’t either,” I said. “I’ll come back and get the things. This case is breaking fast. There isn’t a minute to lose.”
“But Donald, surely nothing could happen while you’re here, and—”
“Don’t ever kid yourself it couldn’t,” I said. “Every minute you stay here you’re in danger. I broke a dozen speed laws getting here. Come on. We can pick up stuff later on.” I took her elbow and eased her gently towards the door.
“But, Donald, I don’t see why I can’t get some things together.”
I said, “Please, Marian, have confidence in me. Don’t ask questions and don’t argue. This means a lot to me.”
She said, “All right. Let’s go.”
We went down the stairs, out the back way through the alley, and around to where I had the agency heap parked. It took me a little while to get it started. I drove directly around to my rooming-house.