So that's where he was yesterday afternoon

So that's where he was yesterday afternoon, I said. He went to see you. I'll try not to get in your way, but I'm not going to leave. We were face to face, eye to eye. You're on, he said. You're damn right I'm on. I'm on my own. He laughed. Not with his mouth, no noise; he laughed with bis eyes, and by shaking his head. And he didn't stop. Laugh your goddam head off, I said, but don't get in my way. I'm busy. I went to the desk and reached to the drawer for a letter, and my hand was trembling. Saul's voice came from behind. Archie, this is the first time I ever knew you to miss one jewelry store completely. I supposed you had it figured and was enjoying it. You actually didn't know that he thought you'd kill him? That he thinks he knows you would? The letter dropped from my hand, and I guess my mouth dropped open as I turned. Balls, I said. But he does. He says you wouldn't do it with a gun or a club, just with your hands. You'd hit him so hard you'd break his neck, or you'd throw him so hard and so far he'd break his neck when he landed. I didn't try to argue him out of it, because he knew it. I thought he knew me. And you think it's funny. I know it's funny. He does jewelry store know you. I thought you knew him. It's just that he wants to kill him himself. So do I. So do you. Were you on? Wot till he came yesterday, but I should have been. A lot of things-Pierre not telling you, that room at Rusterman's, her asking Lily Rowan about you, him and women, him offering to work for nothing, him wanting to take Lucile Ducos-1 certainly should have been on. He tapped his skull with his knuckles. Empty. Mine too, until last night. Have you got anything? Nothing solid. I only started to look yesterday at half past five. I've got an idea how he might have met her. As you know, he often does jobs for Del Bascom, jewelry store and Bascom took on something for Bassett, for NATELEC, about a year ago. At noon I decided to take a look here, and here you are ahead of me. Not much ahead, I just started. Okay. I came for myself, and you came for him. Who's in charge? He grinned. It's a temptation, sure it is, but I'm not like Oscar Wilde, I can resist it. Where do you want me to start? I was returning the grin. Saul doesn't often drag in such facts as that he knows about people like Oscar Wilde and I don't. You might try this desk, I said I've only done the top drawer. There's a lot of books, and I'l.