Grogan kept moving forward to get a closer look at Delbert Kingsley. Lita was coming out of her daze, her face was milk-white with trapped-animal terror. She gestured pleadingly to Corey. He shook his head slowly, his eyes saying sadly, all I can do is feel sorry for you. I’m really very sorry for you.

She brought her hand to her mouth to stifle a whimper. Without sound she went on pleading, and Corey kept shaking his head.

Please, she said without sound. You know what he’ll do to me. You know what happens to people who cross him. But at least they get it fast. Without the suffering. They get off easy compared to what I’ll get. And I’m begging you, I’m begging you—

Corey couldn’t look at her. He said to himself, It’s a filthy setup. Because you know what she’s in for. You know it’s gonna be slow, with screaming. And she don’t rate all that hell. Sure, she’s a wrong number but she’s not that wrong. You come right down to it, she’s just a smalltime hustler. A year on a farm would maybe set her straight, if you wanna look at it that way. But you can’t look at it that way. You want that fifteen grand. To pocket that fifteen grand you gotta prove some statements, and she’s the proof the only proof. But I’ll tell you, jim, I wish it didn’t hafta be this way. It’s a scummy way to make money, and if it was a C-note or even five C-notes you’d possibly or probably cancel this transaction and walk away. But the point is, it ain’t a C-note and it ain’t five C-notes, it’s fifteen thousand dollars, I said fifteen thousand dollars.

Just then Corey looked up and saw Lita backing slowly and furtively toward the front door. He made a warning gesture with the gun, telling her to stay where she was. She stood there and went on pleading without sound, her palms extended and quivering. And then, as though seeing it was no use, she lowered her head, her hands covering her eyes.

Grogan turned to Corey and indicating the man on the floor, said, “Gimme the score on this one.”

“You don’t know him?”

“Never seen him before.”

“He’s an ex-con.”

“That means nothing.”

“He lives in the neighborhood.”

“And that means nothing,” Grogan cut in again, his voice tightening. “He never had no dealings with me. So how would he know about my finances? Who tipped him?”

Corey pointed to Lita.