There was no answer. Crotti went into the room; Kells could hear him whispering, evidently trying to wake someone up.
He unbuttoned his coat, shifted the shoulder holster. Crotti reappeared in the doorway, and Granquist was behind him. Crotti went back to his chair, sat down.
Granquist stood in the doorway, swaying. Her eyes were heavy with sleep and she stared drunkenly about the room, finally focused on Kells. She sneered as if it were difficult for her to control her facial muscles, put one hand on the doorframe to steady herself.
She said thickly: “Hello — bastard.”
Kells looked away from her, spoke to Crotti. “Nice quiet girl. Just the kind you want to take home and introduce to your folks.”
Crotti laughed soundlessly.
Granquist staggered forward, stood swaying above Kells. “Bastard framed me,” she mumbled — “tried t’ tag me f murder...”
She put one hand out tentatively as if she were about to catch a fly, slapped Kells very hard across the face.
Crotti stood up suddenly.
Kells reached out and pushed Granquist away gently, said: “Don’t be effeminate.”