“Don’t quote me. But I told her we’d have to discuss exactly what she would tell the cops, so we’ll hear from her if she decides to play. Do you want my guesses?”
“Yes.”
“Well. On her spilling it to the cops, the one thing that would spoil it, forty to one against. That isn’t how her mind will work. On her deciding to play ball with us, twenty to one against. She’s not tough enough. On her just keeping it to herself, fifteen to one against. On general principles. On her telling Miss Goheen, ten to one against. She hates her too much. On telling Carol Berk, two to one against, but I wouldn’t dig deep on that one either way. On her telling Mr. H, even money, no matter who is a Commie and who isn’t. It would show him how fine and bighearted and noble she is. She could be, at that. It has been done. Is Saul there?”
“Yes. I never spent anybody’s money, not even my own, on a slimmer chance.”
“Especially your own. And incidentally sticking my neck out. You don’t know the meaning of fear when it comes to sticking my neck out. Do we proceed?”
“What alternative is there?”
“None. Has Saul got his men there?”
“Yes.”
“Tell him to step on it and meet me at the northeast corner of Sixty-ninth and Fifth Avenue. She could be phoning Heath right now.”
“Very well. Then you’ll come home?”