“Do so. Make it quick-like. And if anyone wants to know where I am, I’m at the automat trying to find the place to put my nickels for crepes suzette.”
Tildy came right up close to me, lifted her face to mine. “You’re getting your girl friend to come over here, to stay with me.”
“My assistant. She doesn’t know you’re here. She mistrusts my intentions, I fear.”
“I could have called Nikky.”
“So the gent with the boom-boom could trail her right over here? No, thanks. Fran’s dependable. If there’s anything else you want, she can get it for you.”
“You’re just real nice, Mister Vine.”
“Awarding of prizes later. What’s with the note?”
“I don’t know.” She hesitated. “Dow—” She stopped. “What are you waiting for? Another victim?”
I never thought the time would come when I’d be alone in a bedroom with a girl as pretty as that, and have my only emotional reaction anger. That’s the way I felt. I was beginning to be leery of her. “Roffis dead. Lanerd dead. Few minutes ago you said you’re to blame. Why are you?”
“Because if I’d kept my mouth shut right at the beginning, down in that wretched café, none of it would have happened.”