Yes, Dave Calvin, small time bank manager, is a cruel man, ready to do anything to make big money, including taking murder in his stride. And we know the author is quite adept at depicting ruthless, cold people. Here is a swift unnerving description of Calvin when he thinks his partner in crime would no longer be helping him:
"When he heard the lock turn, his fleshy face
became hideous. He looked like a savage, his face convulsed with rage. Suddenly
he spat on the carpet and clenching his fists, he began to pound them on his
knees..."
For such a man, murder is of course par for the
course, despite his cosmetic superficial charm. He has no qualms in taking
human life; as he again admits along the line:
"... I am no stranger to murder. I murdered a
number of people during the war ... not only soldiers, but also civilians who
got in my way. I have waited years for the chance to get my hands on big
money..."
Hence Dave has no remorse at all in not only
brutally killing a harmless, innocent, shy young woman (Alice) but also setting
her up as culpable for the robbery that would shock this particular society,
and beyond. Will ruthless Calvin get away with it ...?
– Lupna Avery
