Mason opened his desk drawer and took out the pair of loaded dice. Drake had given him. He sat there, rolling them easily across the desk.
Emily Milicant was very much excited and showed it. Her eyes seemed unnaturally large and glittering. The hollows of her cheeks were more pronounced, the quick nervousness of her gestures more emphasized.
“Isn’t it the most horrible thing?” she said. “I’ve been talking with Phyllis over the telephone.”
Her eyes watched Mason’s hand as he rolled the dice. The motion seemed to increase her nervousness.
“I’m anxious to know something about your brother,” Mason said.
“My brother!” she echoed.
Mason nodded.
“I understand you asked Phyllis to bring him in, and asked him some questions about a crap game. Would you mind telling me what it’s about?”
Mason said evenly, “What I’m particularly interested in is whether a shrewd lawyer could show that your brother regarded you as a means of support.”
“What do you mean, Mr. Mason?”