“Carla better now?”
He nodded. “Shock mostly. Bruises on her arms, though. Just starting to show.”
I said: “How about her throat?”
Bryce shook his head, smiling a little. His eyes were very blue.
“I’m afraid she imagined more than really happened. It’s often the case. No finger marks on her throat, or bumps on her head. And the throat skin is quite delicate.”
I nodded. “That’s the Hollywood complex,” I said. “It works the same way with salaries on the lot. A little bit goes a long way.”
The doctor nodded and moved on. We went into Suite B and I locked the door behind us. Mick lighted a cigarette and grinned at me.
“Nice party, ain’t it?” he said. “Who’s the biggest liar of the lot?”
I frowned. “Don’t yell,” I said. “And stick in character. You haven’t pulled a fast one in a long ti
