“Why don’t you try this?” I suggested. “That you borrowed it from your younger sister, and—”
“You sonofabitch,” Jimmy growled, rising and taking a step. “No, I didn’t shoot, but by God—”
“You shouldn’t get nasty, Andy,” Mom protested.
“Then give us something better.” I had drawn my feet back for leverage in case Jimmy kept coming, but he didn’t. “Whatever it is, remember we can always check it with Mr. Sperling.”
“No you can’t!”
“Why not?”
“Because he knows nothing about it! I’m just going to tell you the truth! We persuaded the janitor to lend us a key.”
“How much did it take to persuade him?”
“I offered — I gave him a hundred dollars. He’ll be downstairs in the hall when we go out, to see that we don’t take anything.”
“You got a bargain,” I declared, “unless he intends to frisk you. Don’t you think we ought to meet him, Saul?”