I addressed him. “If there’s a thousand names in that book, and if each one donated ten grand, that would be ten million bucks. I suppose that’s exaggerated, but discount it ninety per cent and you’ve still got a nice little sum. Do you care to comment?”
No reply.
“We haven’t got all night,” I said, “but I ought to explain that while we disapprove of blackmail rackets, especially this kind, that’s not what we’re working on. We’re on a murder, or maybe I should say three murders. If I ask about your racket it’s only to get at a murder. For instance, was Matthew Birch in with you?”
His chin jerked up, and he blurted at Saul, “You dirty little squirt!”
I nodded. “Now that’s out, and you’ll feel better. Was Birch in with you?”
“No.”
“Who gave you the tip on Leopold Heim?”
“Nobody.”
“How much is your cut of the dough, and who gets the rest?”
“What dough?”