“I don’t know, Mr. Immer....”
“Higgins. Hired by Dr. MacArthur to ... a New York dick, doc.”
Sally’s “Oh” was spontaneous.
Higgins turned and smiled.
“But it took a lady...!”
The cab drew up at the hospital. Cub Sterling was out and up the steps before the driver applied the brakes. Matt Higgins tossed him the money and he and Sally caught Cub before he was halfway up the main staircase in the Administration Building. They reached the second floor and ran around the octagonal railing, through which Sally caught a glimpse of the statue of Elijah Wilson, far below, and on to the third floor. There Cub turned, wild eyed.
“Damn it!”
“Which way?” Higgins demanded.
“I don’t know.... I’ve never been....”
Higgins began systematically opening doors and looking for an outlet. Little streams of late afternoon sun filtered through the cracks. The hospital was deathly still. All of the people off duty were preparing to go to Rose Standish’s funeral.