Forgetting about Elrick’s pistol, she aimed fingernails at Vince’s throat. The heavy-set guy fell back. He let out a yell of fear, fell from the bed, and then he rolled over. And he collided with Elrick, who was trying to show Gladys the muzzle of the pistol.
Elrick went back against the wall as he saw Gladys lunging at Vince. Again her fingernails were in action. The cop let out a curse and then he was wondering what to say and he grabbed at the standby phrase of all tough-neighborhood policemen.
“Break it up!” he yelled.
But Gladys was insane now. She did not see the pistol that was pointed at her. She did not care. And her only thought, her only desire was to fasten her fingernails in the jugular vein of Vince Mazzione.
“Stop her!” Vince screeched.
It looked bad for Vince. The cop realized that he would not be able to do much with the pistol. Already Gladys had her fingernails in the throat of the heavy-set guy, and she was ripping, and the blood was dribbling over his collar and tie.
Elrick dropped the pistol. He clamped a hold on Gladys’ arm, twisted hard and pulled back. Gladys let out a shriek and tried to jab an elbow into Elrick’s middle. The cop told himself that it was too bad he had to be so rough with a woman, and he twisted the arm again. Gladys let out another shriek and she was cursing and kicking and squirming and Elrick placed a hold on her other arm. He dragged her away from Vince.
“Now calm down,” he said.
“Yeah,” Vince said, holding a handkerchief to his throat. “That’s good advice.”
Quickly he bent down, brought the pistol up and pointed it.