The Anonymous Client

be, and who the hell assigned him, anyway? some heads are going to roll for this—but his face reflected none of them. Instead he matched Steve’s smile and said, calmly, “Mr. Winslow. And how did you get in here?”
    Steve smiled. “Being a private citizen, I just walked in. You, I believe, had to be elected.”
    The sergeant, fearful he was in deep shit, said, “He’s not a witness? He said you sent for him, and—”
    “I’m sure he did,” Dirkson said. “Don’t worry about it. But if you would just go see that no one else gets in here.”
    “There’s another man out there,” the sergeant said.
    Dirkson looked at Steve. “Oh? You brought reinforcements? And who might he be?”
    “Mark Taylor.”
    “Of the Taylor Detective Agency?”
    “That’s right.”
    Dirkson exchanged a glance with Stams. “Well, that’s mighty interesting.” Dirkson turned to the sergeant. “Tell the gentleman to stick around.”
    “Yes, sir.” The sergeant gave Steve Winslow an aggrieved look, and went out, closing the door.
    Dirkson turned back to Steve. “Well, Mr. Winslow. I wasn’t expecting you, but I’m sort of glad you’re here. We have a little situation here.”
    “And what is that?”
    “This young woman,” Dirkson said, indicating Tracy Garvin, “was apprehended attempting to enter the scene of a crime. We’ve been trying to question her about it, but she’s being most uncooperative. At first she tried to give the cops some song and dance about visiting some friend in the building. When she saw they weren’t buying it, she clammed. I haven’t been able to get a word out of her.”
    “That’s not true,” Tracy said. “All I said was I wouldn’t answer any questions except in the presence of my attorney.”
    Steve Winslow grinned. “And did you tell them I was your attorney?”
    “Of course.”
    Steve’s grin grew broader. He looked at Dirkson. “I see. And the minute she told you that, you and Stams figured you’d hit the jackpot, and instead of letting her contact me, you’ve been grilling her ever since.”
    Dirkson stole a look at the stenographer. “Not at all. We let her call you right away. You weren’t there.”
    Steve grinned. “I’m sure that broke your heart.”
    “And I don’t see why this young woman needs a lawyer to begin with. She’s not a suspect, she’s a witness.”
    “A witness? Witness to what?”
    “I don’t know. She won’t talk.”
    Steve laughed. “You’re really going about this ass-backwards, aren’t you?”
    “Not at all. But your being here simplifies things. She says she won’t talk except in the presence of her attorney. All right, young lady, now your attorney’s here. You can talk. Unless, of course, you’re going to advise her not to answer questions.”
    Steve Winslow shook his head. “I’m not going to do that.”
    Dirkson smiled. “Well, that’s a refreshing change. All right, Miss Garvin, your attorney’s here and he’s not advising you not to answer questions. So let’s have it. What were you doing in that apartment house?”
    “The reason I’m not advising her not to answer questions,” Steve put in, “is because she’s not my client. Miss Garvin happens to be my confidential secretary, and as such, all matters regarding my clients are considered to be confidential communications, and she is under no obligation to discuss them.”
    Dirkson blinked. “This woman is your secretary?”
    “That’s what I just said.”
    Dirkson turned to Tracy. “Why didn’t you tell me you were his secretary?”
    “You didn’t ask.”
    “Yes, but—”
    “Come on, Dirkson,” Steve said. “I’d drop it if I were you. She told you she wanted to consult me before answering your questions. She couldn’t reach me, and you kept questioning her, so she kept quiet. Now you’re crabbing because she didn’t tell you something?”
    Dirkson took a breath and blew it out again. “All right, Winslow. I’ll ask the questions of you.”
    “I may not be of much help either.”
    “I know. But if it’s going to be like that, I’d like to have your refusal to answer in the record.”
    “Put it in the record, then. I’m not answering any questions.”
    “I can take you before the grand jury, you know.”
    “You still can’t make me testify.”
    “About confidential communications, no. But this is something else. You yourself are actively involved. You’re a witness. More than that, you’re a suspect. At least with regard to