“
He started speaking to me out of the side of his mouth, rapidly, his eyes on Chuck all the time. “Look, Linda, we had no idea how bad it is.” “You didn’t?” “If you need help, just let me know. I mean, if there’s anything any of us can do, just give us a signal.” “What can anyone do?” “I don’t know,” he said. “We could help.” He sped up the talk as he saw Chuck and Damiano winding up their conversation. “I mean it, just let us know. We heard what was going on last night. And I just want you to know I’m here.” I could see that much. He was here. I didn’t say a word but I know what I was thinking: sure, you’re here now but where were you last night? Where were you when you were needed? Where was anyone? It was nice, and it may have been brave of him to offer help, but it was too late; the corpse was being thrown a lifesaver. It was an offer that couldn’t be accepted, because it was an offer that couldn’t be trusted. He was just saying words with nothing behind them.
”
”