[MaC] A pause in the music

[Allen Veazey]

 > > And then all those present saw her ... Nola Diamond.
> >
> > She was lying on the settee, and at first glance it seemed as though she
> > had fallen asleep there, her dark red hair falling across her face.  But
> > there was something strangely still about her.  Oswald, with an
> > exclamation, walked forward and lifted the hair to reveal a little of
> > her neck.  And then they all saw the marks left by a ligature that had
> > bitten deeply into the pale flesh.
> >
> > "I'm afraid," said Oswald, "she's dead."
> 
>        "Well, best to be sure," Pamela said firmly. "Bear witness, Mr.
> Skeffington-Nottle, won't you? Just as well I wore gloves this evening."
> And she bent to touch her first two fingers to the pulse-point in The
> Actress's lacerated throat.

The sight of Anton's ashen face and Oswald's "Come on!" did
what even the blackout couldn't- got Warren off of his stool and
through the door. It took him a little time, but he finally arrived
at Anton's flat with the others. 

"But she... she was just... right next to me!" he exclaimed.
She was just right there... " and then he swallowed; he appeared 
to be trying to keep from vomiting.

"Sorry," he said, his eyes watering from the effort. "it's one
thing to be flying and in combat... it's quite another to see
this up close... and a lady..."