“With an empty gun, of course,” I said.
“Not this time,” Lois returned. “He’s been getting ready for you. He’s wise to that loose holster trick now. You won’t pull another gag like that. Well, so long, Cain. We’ll be around, so make hay while there’s a sun.” She hung up.
I stood thinking, then I went out, climbed into the Buick. “Tell Mrs. Cain I won’t be twenty minutes,” I said to Ben, drove on to the highway.
I paid a visit to the police-station, asked to see Lieutenant Mallory.
Mallory and I knew each other well. He was always passing the service station, and he knew where he could get iced beer with a smile from Clair whenever he wanted it.
“What’s on your mind, Cain?” he asked, offering me a cigarette.
I took it. We lit up. “I want protection,” I said.
He gaped at me, burst into a roar of laughter. “That’s rich,” he said. “You want protection. I don’t believe it. Why you’re the original tough egg.”
“I know,” I said, “but this is different. My shooting days are over. Take a pew, Lieutenant, I want to tell you a story.”
I gave him the story, told him Bat was after us, and that Lois had just called me.