She tried to smile, but her lips were frozen. She managed to say, “That’s nice of you.”
He sat himself on the edge of the table and looked at his hands. “You know Cattley’s been knocked off?” he said.
She put her hand to her throat. “No… no, I didn’t know that,” she said.
Max raised his head a little and stared at the kitchen door. Duffy stiffened. Then Max said, “You were sweet on that guy at one time, huh?”
She shook her head. “He meant nothing to me.”
“So?”
“We went around together, but that’s all.”
“You went around together?” He pushed his hat over his eyes. He wouldn’t look at her.
“That’s right… but why… why are you asking me?”
“Just curious.” With the flat of his hand he rubbed the short hairs on his nape. “Did he ever tell you things?”