“Okay. If you just came out for a breath of air you won’t be interested in this either. Otherwise you may be. Please don’t scream or look around, but you’ve got a Homicide dick on your tail. Don’t look or he’ll know I’m telling you. He’s across the street, ninety feet back.”
“Yes,” he conceded, without changing pace, “that’s interesting. Is this your good deed for the day?”
“No. I’m out dowsing for Mr. Wolfe. He’s investigating a murder just for practice, and I’m looking for a seam. I thought if I gave you a break you might feel like reciprocating. If you’re just out for a walk, forget it, and sorry I interrupted. If you’re headed for something you’d like to keep private maybe you could use some expert advice. In this part of town at this time of night there are only two approved methods for shaking a tail, and I’d be glad to oblige.”
He looked it over for half a block, with me keeping step, and then spoke. “You mentioned credentials.”
“Right. We might as well stop under that light. The dick will keep his distance.”
We stopped. I got out my wallet and let him have a look at my licenses, detective and driver’s. He didn’t skimp it, being a lawyer. I put my wallet back.
“Of course,” he said, “I was aware that I might be followed.”
“Sure.”
“I intended to take precautions. But it may not be — I suppose it’s not as simple as it seems. I have had no experience at this kind of maneuver. Who hired Wolfe to investigate?”
“I don’t know. He says he needs practice.”