Page for page he certainly gives me the most pleasure, provokes the most thought, causes the most outrage. Hoolihan is quick with a joke, a smoke or an invitation to bed. This being noir, she thinks she lives a life without illusions. Then she comes upon a case that gets her goat. Jennifer Rockwell was whip-smart, easy on the eyes, someone who lit up the world and held it in the palm of her hand.
Suicide is a foregone conclusion.
The gun was in her hand. Colonel Tom calls That's when Hoolihan gets the obligatory call from a top brass at police headquarters, who happens to be Jennifer's father, Colonel Tom. Back in the bad old days he gave Hoolihan a place to dry out, and so she owes him. Trader did it. Trader had access, and motive is never missing in a relationship.