Johnny obeyed and O’Brien put the note in the envelope, sealed it, and put it in his billfold.
He was elated. He could now deal with Johnny without making Gilda suspicious.
“You’re not coming back with me,” he said. “I’m not taking the risk of being seen with you. I’ll take Solly and he can come back with the motorboat for you. And understand, do what I tell you or you’ll be sorry.”
“Suppose I go first for a change?” Johnny said. “I’ve been on this goddamn boat longer than you have.”
“Shut your trap!” O’Brien snarled, his face suddenly murderous. “You stinking little rat! I’ve had about enough of you!”
The expression in his eyes startled Johnny.
“Take it easy, Sean,” he said uneasily. “I was only kidding.”
“Yeah? Well, I don’t like kidders, and you’ll damn well find out just how much I don’t like them before long!”
O’Brien went out, locked the door after him and went up on deck. He was shaking with rage. Now he had the letter, the sooner Johnny was out of the way the better. He could tell Gilda in a little while that Johnny had been killed in a brawl in Paris. It would never occur to her that he had ordered Johnny’s death.
Solly stood by the deck rail. As soon as he saw O’Brien he scrambled down into the motorboat.