“Lies?” Her voice shot up. “Why, you dumb fool, why should I lie about a thing like that! I want you to do something about it. Do you think I want a bitch like that to steal my man?”
George went cold. “I don’t believe you,” he said. “She’s in love with Sydney. She wouldn’t…” And he stopped. Was this another of Cora’s little tricks? Was all that talk about being in love with Sydney just an excuse to fob him off?
“She’s been after Ernie for months,” Eva said. “I’ve watched her. But until now Ernie hasn’t been having any. But she’s got money now. She’s giving him things. She promised to give him a car! He’s not satisfied with the car I gave him. Oh no, he wants another! She’s been working for him all this week. Making money… big money! Well, you’ve got to stop her! Do you hear? You’ve got to stop her!”
George clenched his fists. A red curtain hung before his eyes. So that’s what she had been doing with his money. Giving it to Ernie, winning Ernie’s attention.
“Working?” he said. “What do you mean?”
“He’s given her a beat,” Eva returned, her voice hoarse with suppressed fury. “And a flat in Old Burlington Street.”
“Where’s her heat?” George heard himself ask.
“Sackville Street,” Eva returned, suddenly frightened by the ruthless, hard face before her.
“All right,” George said, and closed the door in her face.
Fifteen minutes later he left the flat and walked across Hanover Square towards Sackville Street. Street-walkers moved slowly along the back streets, paused to talk among themselves, looked at George hopefully and went on.