“You don’t think she’s changed her mind, do you?”
“What I don’t understand is why you’re in here instead of waiting for her by the front. Are you going to make the girl buy her own ticket?”
Impatient, he rolls his eyes. “I told her to tell Margery she’s with me. She’ll let her in.”
I pin him with a hard look. “Does Margery let all your female companions in for free?”
“Don’t hyperventilate, you greedy goat. It’s not just Margery—all the ticket girls do.”
Aghast, I demand, “How did you accomplish that?”
“Everyone knows I’m your silent partner.”
“I didn’t know. If that’s the case, we have a stack of bills waiting for you—”
Suddenly, Frederick stands taller. “That’s her. She’s here.”
Before I get a glimpse of the woman, Frederick grabs me by the shoulders and turns me to face him.
“How do I look?” he demands.
“Like a loon.” I shake off his hands. “Well, go on. If you’re going to rob me to impress the girl, you might as well escort her inside.”
“Where are you going?” he asks when I turn toward the house doors. “Don’t you want to meet her?”
“You’re planning to give her the tour after the show, aren’t you? Make her think you’re more important than you are? I’ll meet her then.”
“You’re a good man, Alex,” he calls.
I wave at him over my shoulder as I disappear through the doors.