“It goes a long way past that,” Mooney said. “She did it because she was ruined and she couldn’t stand the pain or the grief or whatever it was. There’s never been any secret about that. You weren’t here when it happened, but there was a big commotion and the entire neighborhood was looking for the man who did it. You see, everybody liked her. I liked her very much.”
“You did?”
“Yes,” Mooney said. “Very much.”
“I didn’t know you were acquainted with her.”
“Don’t look at me like that,” Mooney said.
“What’s the matter?” Kerrigan said gently.
“I don’t like the way you’re looking at me.” Mooney’s face was expressionless. “Don’t jockey with me. I’m talking straight.”
“I hope so,” Kerrigan said. “How well were you acquainted? I never saw you talking to her.”
“We talked many times,” Mooney said. “Someone told her I used to paint pictures. She liked to talk about painting. She wanted to learn about it. One time I showed her some of my water colors.”
“Where? In your room?”