“Where did you get the drugs?” Shayne said quietly.
“I had them! I keep telling you-you don’t know a thing about me. I go to Chicago on weekends. During summer vacations, believe me, I really swing. I decided to give him one more chance. I loaded the pate. I didn’t know you were going to be there-that’s what’s called ‘serendipity.’ And all the old goat wanted to do was go to bed and make love. I was high as a kite myself by that time, and the obvious solution to all my problems was right there staring me in the face. What did I need Jules for? I didn’t. And then you phoned from the lobby, and I saw exactly how I could do it.”
She whirled on Painter. “And if you think you can get a conviction on that kind of evidence, try it! I take it all back. I don’t have a lawyer yet, do I, so it doesn’t really count.” She laughed. “And as for the sinister Sir Geoffrey Adam, he’d better not fool around with me! I’m ready for him.”
There was more, but by that time Shayne had fallen asleep.
He heard Christa say, “That was brilliant, Mike. The way you accused me and trapped her into confessing-”
Shayne made a final effort. “Naomi knows Portuguese.”
“What?” Christa said blankly.
“She heard the orders you gave Sanchez. And now that we all understand each other, will you get the hell out?”
After a moment Christa said lightly, “I didn’t really expect it to work. I thought it was worth trying.”
Then Shayne was alone with Naomi.
“Mike, I know you want to sleep, but can I stay with you? You were right about my marriage. It was finished after a week. I was foolish to think I could patch it up. I’ll be quiet. Can I stay with you?”
“Yes,” Shayne said as the light faded.