Conley finds Frank trembling at stairs with cord, confessing he struck Phagan (whom he calls "Mary Perkins") too hard after she refused him in the metal department; clock shows 12:56 p.m. Frank enlists Conley to fetch cloth; Conley wraps body (noting hat, ribbon, slippers), struggles to carry, gets Frank's help to elevator, descends to basement, unrolls body. Frank climbs ladder, directs leaving items by boiler. They ascend; Frank stumbles nervously. In office, Frank hides Conley in wardrobe from Clarke and Hall, gives cigarettes, asks if he writes, dictates four notes (three white, one green; keeps green). Offers $200 but retracts when Conley refuses solo burning; Frank laments hanging despite Brooklyn wealth, promises protection if silent, instructs return in 40 minutes (Conley sleeps instead).
