“I told you Howard brought some bad news. Fay Carson was murdered last night.”
Gilda shut her eyes. An uncontrolled shiver ran through her.
For a long moment neither of them said anything, and only the busy ticking of the clock on the mantelpiece disturbed the silence. Then O’Brien said, “Did you know Johnny came back last night? One of my men saw him at the Paradise Club. Did you see him?”
She hesitated, not looking at him, then she nodded.
“I knew he was in town,” she said, staring down at her clenched fists.
“Do you think he killed her?” O’Brien asked quietly.
She looked up, her eyes widening.
“Of course not! How could you say such a thing?” Her vehemence was completely unconvincing. They looked at each other, then Gilda looked away.
“We must be frank with each other, kid,” O’Brien said. “You know as well as I do why I asked you that. Before he went to the home, he threatened to kill her. He hasn’t been out more than a few hours before she’s murdered. You must face facts.”
Gilda sat motionless. He could see she was holding on to herself in an effort to keep control, and he went over to her and put his arm around her.