Over My Dead Body

"I am his adopted daughter."

"So I understand. And you've been here in New York a couple of months and his address is in the phone book."

"He abandoned me. I was taught to hate him. I had no wish-"

"Until you got into trouble. I got the impression that you abandoned him at the age of three. But let's skip that, I was sent here to keep you out of jail and time's short. You look intelligent enough to know that I've got to have the truth and all of it. What were you doing with Driscoll's coat?"

Her chin went up and her eyes withered me. "Nothing. I didn't touch his coat."

"What were you doing in the men's locker room?"

"I wasn't there."

"Is there any other girl around that looks like you?"

"No. Not enough-no."

"Not enough for Driscoll to see her and think she was you?"

"No."

"What were you doing yesterday afternoon at the time Driscoll says he saw you with his coat?"

"I was giving Mr Ludlow a lesson."

"Fencing?"

"Yes, йpйe."

"In the large room?"

"No, the small one at the end."

"Who is Mr Ludlow?"

"He is a man who comes to take lessons with the йpйe."

"Are you sure you were with him at the time Driscoll says he saw you frisking the coat?"

"Yes. Mr Driscoll went to Miltan at twenty minutes to five. He said it had taken about fifteen minutes to dress. I began the lesson with Mr Ludlow at four o'clock, and we were still there when Miltan sent for me."

"And you didn't leave that room during that time?"

"No, I did not."

Carla Lovchen put in, "But Neya! Do you forget that Belinda Reade says she saw you outside, in the hall, a little before half past four?"

"She lies," Neya said calmly.

"But the man that was with her saw you too!"

"He also lies."

My God, I thought, it's a good thing Wolfe isn't here to see his daughter put on an exhibition like this. It looked very much as if the family reunion would take place in jail.

"How about Ludlow?" I demanded. "Does he lie too?"

She hesitated, her brow wrinkling, and before she got her answer ready another voice broke in. It was a male voice, and its owner had appeared from around the corner which led to the stairs. He was about my age and size, with a good pair of light-coloured eyes, and a grey suit of a distinctive weave hung on him in a way that made it obvious the fit had not been managed by waving a piece of chalk at a stock job.

"I was looking for you." He came up to us, with a conventional smile. "Miltan wants you in the office. This ridiculous affair."

Carla Lovchen said, "Mr Ludlow, this is Mr Goodwin."