“I think it’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”
“It was given me by a Rajah for a little job I once did for him,” Ferrari said carelessly. He took the case from her, rubbed it on his sleeve and regarded it with smug satisfaction. “I have many things like this. Are you interested in diamonds?”
“Who isn’t?” she returned, looking at him with new respect. Neither Maurer nor Gollowitz for all their money had anything to touch that case. This little horror might be a dwarf, but he had power and money. It might be interesting to find out if his power were greater than Gollowitz’s.
“I have a diamond collar that would interest you,” Ferrari said. “You must see it.” He sipped his whisky while he studied her. “You are friendly with Gollowitz?”
Dolores stiffened; startled by the unexpected question.
“He’s Jack’s friend,” she returned, her voice cold. “Jack’s friends are my friends.”
“That’s very nice.” He leaned forward so his death’s-head face was close to hers. “But you shouldn’t rely on him too much.”
“I don’t rely on him at all,” Dolores said sharply.
Ferrari smiled.
“Then perhaps he is relying on you. I had the impression that one of you or both of you were relying on each other, and my impressions are never wrong.”