McNulty smiled, said: “Sure — why don’t you call a cop? Frankie had everybody from the Chief down on his payroll — they’ll have to go back to working for the city.” He was out of breath, spoke unevenly.
Bella stood up and started to go towards the door, and Neilan stood up too, and put one hand over her mouth and one on her back. He held her like that for a minute and then he pushed her back down on the davenport.
McNulty got up then and stooped over and took hold of the back of Gus’ shirt collar and pulled him up a little way.
McNulty said: “Come on, boy — we’ll get some air.”
Gus’ shirt collar started to tear and McNulty cupped his other hand around the back of Gus’ neck and jerked him up on his feet. Gus couldn’t stand by himself; McNulty stood there holding him with his arm around his shoulders. Gus’ face was in pretty bad shape.
McNulty said: “Come on, boy,” again and started guiding Gus towards the door.
Neilan said: “Wait a minute, Mac.”
McNulty turned and stared vacantly at Neilan for a minute and then pushed Gus down in a big chair. He sat down on the arm of the chair and took out his handkerchief and wiped Gus’ face.
Neilan went out into the kitchen. He was out there two or three minutes without making any noise, then he snapped off the light and came back. He turned off the lights in the living room too, and it was dark except for the faint yellow light from the heater.
Neilan went back and sat down at the end of the davenport, out of the light. The light rippled over Bella’s face, and after a while, when my eyes were used to the darkness, I could make out dark shapes where McNulty and Gus sat — and Neilan.