Nicole

“The face she made at me was probably meant for a smile. Whatever it was, it beat me. I was afraid she'd do it again, so I surrendered”
― Dashiell Hammett, The Continental Op

“As I say, they don’t teach it at the academy, but you learn it on the job: not every man’s death is a crime.”
― James M. Cain, The Cocktail Waitress

“Joel Cairo: You always have a very smooth explanation ready.
Sam Spade: What do you want me to do, learn to stutter?”
― Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon

“My free hand reached for something to hold on to, and closed on liquid nothing.”
― Ross Macdonald, The Drowning Pool