I think he's a pornographer, a blackmailer, a hot car broker, a killer by remote control, and a suborner of crooked cops.
He's whatever looks good to him, whatever has the cabbage pinned to it.
Don't try to sell me on any high-souled racketeers.
They don't come in that pattern."
"He's not a killer." Her nostrils flared.
"Not personally.
He has Canino.
Canino killed a man tonight, a harmless little guy who was trying to help somebody out.
I almost saw him killed."
She laughed wearily.
"All right," I growled. "Don't believe it.
If Eddie is such a nice guy, I'd like to get to talk to him without Canino around.
You know what Canino will do — beat my teeth out and then kick me in the stomach for mumbling."
She put her head back and stood there thoughtful and withdrawn, thinking something out.
"I thought platinum hair was out of style," I bored on, just to keep sound alive in the room, just to keep from listening.
"It's a wig, silly.
While mine grows out." She reached up and yanked it off.
Her own hair was clipped short all over, like a boy's.
She put the wig back on.
"Who did that to you?"
She looked surprised.
"I had it done.
Why?"
"Yes.
Why?"
"Why, to show Eddie I was willing to do what he wanted me to do — hide out.
That he didn't need to have me guarded.
I wouldn't let him down.
I love him."
"Good grief," I groaned. "And you have me right here in the room with you."
She turned a hand over and stared at it.
Then abruptly she walked out of the room.
She came back with a kitchen knife.
She bent and sawed at my rope.
"Canino has the key to the handcuffs," she breathed. "I can't do anything about those." She stepped back, breathing rapidly. She had cut the rope at every knot. "You're a kick," she said.
"Kidding with every breath — the spot you're in."
"I thought Eddie wasn't a killer."
She turned away quickly and went back to her chair by the lamp and sat down and put her face in her hands.
I swung my feet to the floor and stood up.
I tottered around, stifflegged.
The nerve on the left side of my face was jumping in all its branches.
I took a step.
I could still walk.
I could run, if I had to.
"I guess you mean me to go," I said.
She nodded without lifting her head.
"You'd better go with me — if you want to keep on living."
"Don't waste time.
He'll be back any minute."
"Light a cigarette for me."