“Tim will do that-in about five minutes,” he said absently, then went on decisively: “Get a toothbrush and a wrap if you think you’ll need it. Don’t try to take anything else-”

“A toothbrush?” she interrupted, peering up at him with round, astonished eyes.

“Go wash your face,” he ordered. “We’ll all go down to the lobby together as if nothing had happened. Do you know any particular bars or restaurants where Miss Morton is known and where she might be expected to drop in during an evening?”

Miss Lally covered her amazement with the thick-lensed glasses and stammered, “There’s the-Golden Cock up the street. And over on the Beach-”

“You and I are going out to look for her,” he cut in. “Don’t forget the toothbrush. You may not get back here tonight.”

She saw his face clearly now, and responded to his quiet assumption of authority by getting up and going into the bathroom.

When she closed the door, Rourke said angrily, “Look here, Mike, if you think I’m going to stay here and be your fall guy-”

“You’re going to stay right here like any sensible reporter who’s lucky enough to be on the inside of a hot case, and get all the dope from the police investigation,” Shayne said firmly. “I need time-and freedom from the cops tailing me, Tim.” He paused a moment, then hurried on. “If I can keep Miss Lally away from the police until I can get all she knows about the Morton woman, and keep it quiet-you know how it is, Tim. She’d be in danger if the murderer thought she knew too much and found out the police had her up for questioning.”

“But what the hell do I tell the police?” Rourke protested.

“You don’t. Joe Clarkson, the night dick, will tell the police. Look, Tim, when we go down to the lobby you go to the bar for a drink. Put it down fast, act like you’re worried, then find Joe and tell him about your date with Sara Morton and the secretary meeting you instead. The truth about everything that can be checked. But don’t tell him I’d been fishing and hadn’t contacted her. You assume I talked to her on the phone, but didn’t tell you what she wanted.”