'Hand me your key,' I said, 'and I'll take
a look at the corpse. Excuse my caution, but I have to verify a bit if I can.'
He shook his head mournfully. 'I reckoned
you'd ask for that, but I haven't got it. It's on my chain on the
dressing-table. I had to leave it behind, for I couldn't leave any clues to start
suspicions. The people who are after me are very smart. You'll have to take me
on trust for the night, and tomorrow you'll get proof of the corpse business
right enough.'
I thought for an instant or two. 'Right.
I'll trust you for the night. I'll lock you into this room and keep the key.
Just one word, Mr Scudder. I believe you're straight, but if so be you are not
I should warn you that I'm a handy man with a gun.'