Lippman said, frowning, “It's not that confidential, Tog. Bronston's an agent, too. What's your assignment, Ronny?”
Ronny said very slowly, “I'm beginning to suspect that it's the same as yours and various pieces are beginning to fall into place.”
Lippman was taken aback. “You mean you're looking for Tommy Paine?” His eyes went to his associate. “How could that be, Tog? I didn't know more than one of us were on this job. Why, that means if Bronston here finds him first, I won't get my permanent appointment.”
Ronny looked at Tog Lee Chang Chu who was sitting demurely, hands in lap, and a resigned expression on her face. He said, “Nor if you find him first, will I. Look here, Tog, how many men does Sid Jakes have out on this assignment?”
“I wouldn't know,” she said mildly.
He snapped, “A few dozen or so? Or possibly a few hundred?”
“It seems unlikely there could be that many,” she said mildly. She looked at the other two agents. “I think you two had better run along. Take my suggestion I made earlier.”
“Wait a minute,” Ronny snapped. “You mean that they go to Catalina? That's ridiculous.”
Tog Lee Chang Chu looked at [pg 060] Pedro Nazaré and he turned and started for the door followed by Fredric Lippman who was still scowling his puzzlement.
“Wait a minute!” Ronny snapped. “I tell you it's ridiculous. And why follow her suggestions? She's just my assistant.”