“Nuts,” Purley said, disgusted.
“You know what I really expected,” Loftus said. “I never thought he’d show us where Kampf took him when they entered yesterday, but I did think he’d go to the foot of the stairs, where the body was found, and I thought he might go on to where the body came from — Talento’s door, or upstairs. Take him by the collar, Goodwin, and ease him over to the foot of the stairs.”
I obliged. He came without urging, but gave no sign that the spot held any special interest for him. We all stood and watched him. He opened his mouth wide to yawn.
“Fine,” Purley rumbled. “Just fine. You might as well go on with it.”
Loftus came and fastened the leash to the collar, led Bootsy across the lobby to a door, and knocked. In a moment the door opened, and there was Victor Talento in a fancy rainbow dressing gown.
“Hello, Bootsy,” he said, and reached down to pat.
“Goddamit!” Purley barked. “I told you not to speak!”
Talento straightened up. “So you did.” He was apologetic. “I’m sorry, I forgot. Do you want to try it again?”
“No. That’s all.”
Talento backed in and closed the door.