“A logical question,” purred Palermo. “But not one that would have occurred to you merely because Macklin said something about Florida when he was dying.”
The detective did not reply. He sat back and looked wise.
“Warwick,” said Palermo thoughtfully. “You’re the only man capable of sifting this thing to the bottom.
Evidently you’re working alone on the case.”
“I’m not saying that,” returned Warwick cautiously.
“You aren’t saying it, for obvious reasons,” laughed Palermo. The wide, evil grin appeared momentarily upon his face. “Sometimes detectives have said too much when alone with men whom they suspect of murder. Is that what you mean?”
Warwick remained impassive.
“Don’t worry,” continued Palermo. “You are safe here. Whether or not you are the only man who suspects me, the case is in your hands. You can follow it as you choose.
“You have been tipped off. You don’t know by whom. But I know. You don’t like tip-offs unless they fit in with something you already know.
“Macklin talked of Florida. So when some one called you and said: ‘Doctor Palermo was in Florida at the time Macklin was there’—well, you decided to look into it.”