Page 32 (1/2)

Bell was surprised that she’d refused him Apparently, her timidity did not make her compliant “You should believe me because you already knohat kind of man Gly is” She shuddered at the mention of his name Bell knew he’d touched a nerve “And because I took the time to find that picture and return it to you”

Looking at the photograph in her treht her to a conclusion She opened the door fully and turned back into her apartment so that Bell could follow The place was nicely furnished and tidy The kitchen had an ornate ice chest with brass accents, and the stove had two separate burner rings Bell could see there was a bedrooh he couldn’t directly see into it, and a private bathroom with a porcelain shower

“I have no c

offee,” she said “Would tea be all right?”

“Only if you aresome for yourself,” Bell said

She’d been tracking toward the kitchen, but Bell’s answer changed her plan and she shuffled to the couch and wedged herself up against one arm On the nearby table sat a stack of fresh white hankies and several used ones looking like they’d absorbed so ain She took an unsoiled handkerchief and absently kneaded it with her thin fingers The photo she placed on the coffee table

Bell removed his hat and outer coat and settled into a chair opposite theOutside, the sky was a ray Into the quiet he said, “Do you knohat your husband did for the Société?”

She didn’t answer his question She said instead, “That pig Foster Gly told h they were in Aht was Marc’s fault, and so they will not pay s I cannot afford this apartment What am I to do?”

There was nothing Bell could say He sih it were a rosary

“Gly lied so the Société de Mines didn’t have to pay the ’s benefits He and Yves are the real friends Marc just went along hatever his older brother told hier by a fewYves has used their entire lives to control my husband Late husband,” she corrected quickly

She finally looked up frolossy, but no tears wet her cheeks “He was good to me in the early days He wanted to be a draftsirl We met in a park, quite by accident I kneas the one for me the very second I saw hiirl to ever show any interest in hi and why he proposed so quickly It’s funny They’re identical twins, but there’s solish word”

“Yves is the kind of rogue that girls fall for,” Bell offered, thinking of that dark intensity he’d seen

“Yes That is it Yves always had girls around him Pretty ones Marc was so shy Unsure of himself because Yves had belittled him since they were boys”

“Things changed when Yves met Foster Gly” It was a statement by Bell, not a question

“Yes Yves didn’t really have ehts in bars He knew people Did things Illegal things, you know? I aht hih mutual acquaintances, but the two became friends Gly was an eitimate job