About the book: 1937 / I opened the window - I wanted to ventilate the room - and stuck my head out to take a breath of fresh summer night air, when I suddenly heard shots. One after another, then silence. They shot around the corner, about a block from here. Then there was a squeal of tires, a car emerged from around the corner and, picking up speed, disappeared into the night. Somewhere a woman screamed, and a hoarse male voice called for help. The stomping of feet was heard on the sidewalk, and a crowd of curious people rushed to the scene in a black, shapeless mass. I removed my head. I had an uncomfortable, subtle feeling that this shooting had something to do with me.