What reason does Bigger give Max for killing Bessie?

From the text:

“To keep her from talking. Mr. Max, after killing that white woman, it wasn’t hard to kill somebody else. I didn’t have to think much about killing Bessie. I knew I had to kill her and I did. I had to get away….”

“Did you hate Bessie?”

“Naw.” “

Did you love her?”

“Naw. I was just scared. I wasn’t in love with Bessie. She was just my girl.