“The Rony situation.”
“Oh. He’s still dead.”
“That’s surprising.” The eminent broadcaster flicked a glance at me, but liked the sunlight on the water better. “I bet he rises from the grave. I hear it was your car.”
“Mr. Wolfe’s car, yeah. So they say.”
“Yet here you are without a guardian, no handcuffs. What are they doing, giving you a medal?”
“I’m waiting and hoping. Why, do you think I deserve one?”
Emerson tightened his lips and relaxed them again, a habit he had. “Depends on whether you did it on purpose or not. If it was accidental I don’t think you ought to get more than honorable mention. How does it stand? Would it help any if I put in a word for you?”
“I don’t — excuse me, I’m being paged.”
I stooped to grab the hand Madeline was putting up at me, braced myself, straightened, bringing her out of the water onto the marble and on up to her feet.
“My, you’re big and strong,” she said, standing and dripping. “Congratulations!”