Duffy could see what a panic she was in. “He didn’t tell me anything… he didn’t tell me anything….”
Max got off the table and went over to the mantelpiece. He examined the photos and fingered the small ivory elephants there. He seemed utterly bored. Then he shrugged. “I thought maybe he had talked to you,” he said indifferently. He put his hand in the inside of his coat and took out a short silk cord. It was dark red in colour. He dangled it in his fingers.
Olga watched him like a rabbit would watch a snake.
He said, “This is a pretty thing, ain’t it?”
She said, “What is it?”
“This? Hell, I don’t know. I found it.” He continued to swing it in his hand.
She said, “Did you?”
“I guess I’ll scram.” He wandered to the door.
“But… but don’t you want—-?”
“I’ll scram,” he said, pausing at the door. “I thought maybe you’d be interested to hear Cattley’s washed up. I see you ain’t.”