28
DETECTIVE BARNEY
“Put it under the door.”
Barney smiled to himself—the cunning smile of a child in a game. “They said I was to see that you got it, this time. It ’s a repeat.”
The door was opened a few grudging inches. “What ’s that?”
“They said I was to see that Mr. Cooper got it, this time. It ’s a repeat.”
“Well, I ’m Mr. Cooper. Give it here.” He put his hand out, still blocking the half-opened door. Barney gave him the letter. The door shut in his face.
Barney blinked at the panels. Then he knocked again sharply. Babbing opened the door.
“Well, what is it?”
“They did n’t give me a receipt form,” Barney said. “Will you sign the envelope an’ give it back to me?”
“Have you a pencil?”
“No, sir,” Barney said.
“Well, wait there till I find one.”
