AS Cronin stepped away for a moment, Anelmo put his idea to Genara, in whispered words.
“Those other two,” he said in Italian. “Schultz and Spirak. They might fix this man called Monk. Here is another who might do the same. What if you and I — “
“Wait,” replied Genara significantly.
Cronin came back to where the two men were standing.
“Who’s that fellow?” he asked, indicating Harry Vincent.
“New man here,” replied Anelmo. “Name is Vincent. Takes place of Joe le Blanc.”
“He looks like a guy I bumped off, once,” remarked Cronin. “Whenever I bump off one, I like to bump off any that look like him.”
Cronin was right in his recognition of Harry Vincent. He had encountered that young man once before, and had tried to murder him. It was only by a fortunate chance that Harry had escaped the death intended.
But now Cronin suddenly regretted his last statement. He sought a pretext to cover up the remark that he had just made to Genara and Anelmo, and he chose the first thought that came to mind.
“Last night the first time he was here?” he asked. “This new guy Vincent, I mean?”