The fingers of her left hand sought those of her right, twisted nervously. There was no other evidence of emotion.
Mason said, “Obviously, in the interests of all concerned, it’s vital that the body should be found.”
She remained motionless and silent.
“The police,” Mason went on, “have ways of being very insistent and at times very disagreeable. I take it you understand that.”
“Are you,” she asked, “threatening me?”
Mason met her eyes. “Yes,” he said.
“I don’t frighten easily,” she said.
Mason took a cigarette case from his pocket. “Mind if I smoke?” he asked.
She bit her lip then, a swift flicker of facial motion which betrayed for a moment her nerve tension, but she smiled graciously and said, “Pardon me for not offering cigarettes, Mr. Mason. I have some here…”
“No, thank you. I prefer my own. Would you care to have one of mine?”