We looked at each other.
“After all, what do they amount to?” he went on “Shumway wouldn’t interest you. He’s an old man and finished. Kelly wouldn’t interest you. He’s a crum. Leave the girl alone. You don’t want girls. They mess up the works.”
Well, that was telling me. I didn’t know what to say.
He sat back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling, “If Andasca gets in, there’ll be a lot of work to do,” he said. “I’m interested personally.”
I took a quick gander at my watch. It was nearly lunch time. “Look,” I said, “I’ve got a lunch date. Will you let me think it over?”
“There’s plenty of time. I’ll get my chauffeur to drop you. Where are you going to eat?” I said “Manetta’s” without thinking.
“I see,” he said. “Do you think she’s good looking?”
I stared at him “Her?” I said. “What…?”
“Myra Shumway. She’s your date, isn’t she?”
“What do you know about Myra Shumway? What’s the idea, Peppi?” I sat up. He was talking too many riddles.