He turned back to the boy. "Now, Mike," he began again, "my name is Malone, and I'm with the FBI. I'd like to ask you a few—"
"Gee, Mr. Malone," Mike broke in eagerly. "I'm glad you're here."
Malone said: "Well, I—"
"These cops here have been giving me a pretty rough deal, you know?" Mike said.
"I'm sure they—" Malone began.
"But I've been looking for you," Mike went on. "See, I wanted to say something to you. Something real important."
Malone leaned forward expectantly. At last he was going to get some information—perhaps the information that would break the whole case wide open. He said: "Yes?"
"Well—" Mike began, and stopped.
"You don't have to be afraid of me, Mike," Malone said. "Just tell me whatever's on your mind."
"Sure," Mike said. "It's this."