The Innocent Woman

everything I possibly can.”
    “I see,” Branstein said. He looked somewhat confused. He blinked twice. “Ah, won’t you sit down?”
    Steve sat on the couch next to Tracy. Branstein sat in a chair opposite. “Now what is it you want to tell me?”
    “Okay,” Steve said. “Now, you are the owner of the music store on West 47th Street, is that right?”
    “Yes, it is.”
    “Are you familiar with the jewelry store in your building— the one on the second floor?”
    “Yes, of course.”
    “Do you ever notice people going in and out of the jewelry store?”
    Branstein frowned. “Now, that’s just what this young lady was asking me. I thought you were going to tell me something.”
    “I am,” Steve said. “I’m trying to tell you why I’m asking these questions. It happens that I’m interested in anyone you may have seen going in or out of there tonight.”
    “Why?”
    Steve frowned, rubbed his head. “Well now, there I’m not sure how much the police would want me to tell you.”
    “The police?”
    “Yes. I wouldn’t want to step on anyone’s toes, but it seems to me you have a right to know. It appears there has been a robbery.”
    “A robbery?”
    “Yes.”
    “At the jewelers?”
    “Yes.”
    “You mean jewelry was stolen?”
    “As to that, I’m not sure. But I believe a sum of money was taken.”
    “You mean tonight?”
    “Now there,” Steve said, “We just don’t know. But there’s every indication it could have been tonight. In which case, what you saw might or might not be important. Which is why I’m here. To find out what you saw. To evaluate it. And if you did see anything important, to advise you whether or not you should report it to the police.”
    “The police?” Branstein said again.
    “Absolutely. You may well be a witness. If you are, as an attorney, I would advise you to report what you’ve seen to the police at once.”
    “Good lord.”
    Steve smiled. “There’s no reason to be concerned. The police can be annoying at times, but in your case I think they’d be grateful for your cooperation. I know it’s a hassle, but if you saw something, it is your duty to come forward. Unless, of course, it has no bearing on the case.”
    “How could it have no bearing on the case?”
    Steve said, “Tell you what. I’m an attorney. If you tell me, I’m willing to take the responsibility.”
    “What responsibility?”
    “Of advising you whether or not you have to report to the police. If I advise you not to, you’re off the hook. Even if the police were to decide you should have reported to them, you could simply pass the buck.”
    Branstein frowned. “Why would you do that?”
    “I told you. I’m interested in the case. I’m willing to put myself in that position in order to hear what you know.” When Branstein hesitated, Steve said, “But that’s entirely up to you. If you don’t want to tell me, I suggest that you call the police now.”
    “Wait a minute,” Branstein said. “Now you’re putting me in the position where you’re telling me to call the police, and if I don’t do it, it’s my fault.”
    “I’m not trying to put you in any position,” Steve said. “I’m only trying to be fair.”
    Steve stood up. “I’m sorry we bothered you. Please feel free to act on your information any way you see fit.”
    Branstein sprang from his chair. “Hold on, hold on,” he said. “Let’s not be hasty. I didn’t say I wouldn’t talk to you. I just want to know the score.”
    “Of course you do,” Steve said. “The problem is, I can’t tell you the score because I don’t know what your information is.”
    Branstein exhaled. Came to a decision. “Sit down,” he said. “Let’s talk this over.”
    Steve gave Tracy a look, then glanced at his watch. He sat back down and said, “Very well, but we do have to be going.”
    “Fine,” Branstein said. “This should only take a minute. Now then, the only question was, did I see anybody going into the jewelers tonight?”
    “Exactly.”
    “The answer is yes. In fact, I saw two people.”
    Steve kept a straight face, tried to keep from looking at Tracy. “Two?” he said.
    “That’s right.”
    “Men or women?”
    “Both. A man and a woman.”
    “Together?”
    “No. At two separate times.”
    “I see,” Steve said. “And when would that be?”
    “The woman was first. That was early in the evening, say, eight o’clock.”
    “Oh?”
    “Yes. I’d just finished up with a customer. A