He snapped after air. Presently he continued: "So I told them I didn't handle it myself but I knew some who did. But they didn't dig that, said they didn't want nothing to do with any local pushers, they didn't even want it from any near town. Well, it seemed way out to me, but five hundred plus expenses for finding a small packet wasn't to be turned down, so I asked around and got the name of a dealer in Tijuana, and when I saw them the next day they said that would do. So I rented a car and drove down Saturday. I was supposed to meet Larkin here again Monday night and give him the packet and get the rest of my money--they paid two-fifty in advance. I came back to town late Monday. When I hit my pad I heard about Bruce and the old lady was crying all over me, so I called the place here and talked with Larkin, could he meet me Tuesday night instead. So he said all right, only the professor was here when he arrived. I haven't seen Larkin or O'Hearn since, and what're they thinking I said?" Kintyre didn't look at Corinna, he didn't believe it would be decent for a minute or two. He asked Guido: "What other jobs did you do for these men? Rent a house for them?" "No--nothing. I turned the car back to the rental agency on Monday, that's all. They'd advanced some of my expenses. They still owe me--" "You're not likely to collect," said Yamamura. He nodded to Kintyre. "I see what you're driving at. They missed a bet, not having him rent the scene of the crime too. And of course it was a mistake to dump the body across the Bay: that expedited the investigation, rather than slowing it up as intended. But then, they were strangers to this locality. And there's not much long-range difference, is there?" "What do you mean?" asked Guido lifelessly. "I mean you've been played for an all-time sucker," said Kintyre. "It's pure luck--the Michaelises just happened to become Patsy Number One--that you haven't been arrested on suspicion of murder. So far." He heard Corinna gasp. Guido seemed too drained to understand. "Another thing," said Kintyre. "What's between you and Gerald Clayton?" "Clayton?" The empty eyes blinked from the bed. "Clayton. Oh, him. Nothing." "Are you certain?" "We talked for a while, up at his pad. Bruce took me there. So finally he gave me the polite brush-off and I came on over here to do my show. Bruce stayed." "That's all? You're sure?" "For a long time, anyway. I met him once before--months and months ago--just social like--" Guido's tones dribbled to silence. Kintyre rubbed his chin. "That seems to let Clayton off," he said. "If, to be sure, our friend here is telling the truth." "He is," said Corinna. Turning, Kintyre saw her inhumanly composed. "I know him. He can't be lying now." "I wish I could be that certain," said Kintyre. "The whole thing makes so little sense that--Though Judas, I feel I could almost grasp the answer, but no." Yamamura asked Guido: "Where is this dope you brought?"