“It means that I’ll not get as much out of it as if we worked together—but I’ll get it, and get it certain. It means that in half an hour Mr. Morton will have my detectives’ report telling of the discovery of his son’s secret marriage and telling all about who the wife is. And it means that I’ll handle the suit for separation—and that I’ll collect for both services. And it also means that I’ll deny, and deny successfully, any statement that you may make as to any relations between us. I guess that fixes you!”
“So, you’d do that!” she breathed, staring at him. Then, without another word, she crossed to her desk and took up the telephone. “Central, please give me Broad 9000.”
In a moment Loveman was across the room and had seized her arm. “That’s Mr. Morton’s office!” he exclaimed. “What’re you up to?”
Giving him no heed, she spoke into the instrument. “Is this Broad 9000?... Please tell Mr. Morton, Senior, that Mrs. Grayson wishes to speak to him.”
One of Loveman’s hands closed with a swift, spasmodic grip over the telephone’s mouthpiece, the other hand fiercely gripped Mary’s arm.
“What’s this you’re up to?” he demanded huskily.
She gave him a calm, defiant look. For a moment they stood so, silent, the telephone clutched by both of them.
“I’m going to beat you to it—that’s all, Peter Loveman. I’m going to telephone Mr. Morton about Jack’s secret marriage and about who his wife is—and there’ll be no big bill for detective services for you. And I’m going to tell Mr. Morton that I shall not oppose any kind of divorce or separation or annulment proceedings, and that I shall not ask for or accept one dollar in the way of settlement—and that means there will be no big fee for you for handling a difficult case. Out of this you’ll get exactly nothing. Now, I guess that fixes you!”
His large eyes gazed at her with an almost super-penetration. But there was no doubting that she would do as she had said. His usually ruddy face, gone pale the moment before, now took on a yellowish tinge. Then he laughed with forced joviality, and removed his hands from the telephone and her arm.
“That certainly was once that one of my jokes was taken seriously.” He laughed again. “Why, you poor child—of course I wasn’t going to double-cross you!”