A HEAVY step arrived. The pacing man stopped. Cardona knew that Blefken had come. The door closed. Cardona heard the lawyer’s voice. It signified more than a greeting.
Blefken’s “Hello” was uttered in a carefully rehearsed manner. He and the detective had set it as a sign. It meant that Middleton was facing the other way.
Cardona edged toward the side of the chair. He obtained a vantage point. He could see what was going on.
The newcomer was sitting a few feet away. Joe could see his pallid face, although Middleton was turned so that his profile was not quite visible to the man behind the chair.
“You received my letter?” Middleton’s voice was plaintive.
“Yes,” answered Blefken quietly. “I am still puzzling over its significance.”
Cardona managed to sight the lawyer. Blefken was standing at the opposite side of the room, his hands behind his back. He was studying Middleton with the practiced eye of an attorney.
“I’m glad I’m here,” announced Middleton nervously. “Glad because I’ve come in time — for once!”
There was a significant note in the pronunciation of the two final words. Blefken detected it.
“Just what do you mean?” inquired the lawyer.