“N-no.” The hesitation was almost imperceptible, but the attorney caught it.
“Come on, don’t have any secrets from me, boy. What was it?”
“Nothing.”
“Dishonorable discharge? Don’t try to hold out on me.”
“Like hell it was.” Conway’s voice swelled with his indignation, but he lowered it after the momentary outburst. “It’s — well, I had sort of a crack-up just at the end, and I was in a hospital for about six months.”
The attorney’s face lighted up. “Wonderful!” he said.
Conway looked at the attorney in horror. “You wouldn’t use that?”
“Wouldn’t use—? What are you talking about? Certainly I’ll use it, and you’ll be very thankful we’ve got it to use.”
“But you can’t — you can’t do that. I won’t let you.”
“Look, boy, if I take you on, I’ll do things my way, I’ll use what I want, and conduct the case as I see fit. I’m doing you a favor, and don’t you forget it. There’s no money in it for me, and there’s certainly no glory in pleading a guy guilty to second-degree murder.”