O’Brien laughed.
“That sounds fine, but you don’t kid me. I’ve seen the way you’ve looked at some of my so-called friends. Anyway, be nice to this guy. I like him.” He looked at Howard. “Have a drink, Commissioner?”
“Well…” Howard glanced at Gilda and then at O’Brien. “There’s a little business matter…”
“Now you’re really going to make her love you,” O’Brien said, shrugging. “Hear that honey? Business…”
“That’s my cue to duck out,” Gilda said, moving away from O’Brien’s encircling arm. “Don’t be too long, Sean.”
She gave Howard a quick searching glance as she smiled at him. Then she left the room.
Howard followed her with his eyes, and again he felt his pulse quicken at the shape he could see under the sweater and jeans.
“Some kid, isn’t she?” O’Brien said, who missed nothing. He knew Howard’s weakness for beautiful young women. “And what a voice!” He went over to the liquor cabinet and began mixing two highballs. “Believe it or not I found her in a nightclub singing swing! As soon as I heard the quality of her voice I persuaded her to get down to serious work. She’s on Mozart now. Francelli has heard her, and he’s crazy about her. He says she’ll be at the Met. in a couple of years.”
Howard took the highball O’Brien offered him and sat down.
He looked up at O’Brien.