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like a fool. Margrita, I've been on the square with you, want you to do the same for me.
Going to ask you a couple questions that can be TNT, so if you don't want to answer, say
so. But don't sell me any bunko stories. What's 'Cat' Franklin to you?
She stiffened, her eyes turned cunning and tough, her hands fell away from me. She got
another cigarette. I said, Whatever you tell me stays with me, I promise you that. Let
me guess Franklin was running the call-girl racket, wouldn't let you pull out entirely
when you got your break on TV?
She didn't move a muscle, her eyes didn't tell me any-thing.
I went over, whispered, I can get the 'Cat' off your back for good.
Little detective don't overreach yourself, you couldn't... Can you? She lost some of
her control, sagged, sat down hard on the couch.
I think I can. Franklin lost his head, tore his britches badly on... something. You his
girl?
Have to be whenever he wants me.
Do favors for his friends, too?
Hell no! Just...
Like that postman, Willie?
He's the only one. Franklin insisted, got rough. Some funny idea about me searching
his clothes for a stone. I didn't find anything. And that Willie real childish bastard.
What was so important about the stone?
Don't be dumb, nodamnbody asks Franklin questions.
One last item think back about two months ago, maybe three months or so. Was there
any time during that period when Franklin seemed angry, mad as hell, about anything?
Ed never loses his temper, always has the same even, evil disposition. A couple months
ago... say, remember he came here one night and tied on a big one. When he gets drunk
he's a regular dirty slob, but I remember that night he didn't.... Anyway, he wasn't mad,
he was upset, scared.
Scared? Of what?
Who knows? Sat up all night, nibbling at the bottle, begging me to, well, mother him.
Never did see him frightened, before or since.
Thanks. Don't know if you've given me a clue or not. If the 'Cat' asks if I was up here,
don't lie got a million guys tailing me, it seems. Tell him about the farm, but that's all.
Goodbye, honey.
As I opened the door she said, Hey... and fumbled with my card. Hey, Hal, will I see
you again?
Sure, I'll catch your act every chance I get. And remember, we only talked about the
estate.
We winked at each other and I walked out, feeling very noble and pure... and a jerk. I
never thought I'd see that day I'd pass up an invitation like Margrita!
13
I drove to the office. Shirley and Bobo had straightened the place up and it looked
normal again. Nobody had called, so I told Shirley to scram. She put on her hat, said,
This is the craziest job I ever heard of. Work a couple minutes and you tell me to go to
the movies. I come back and work another hour and now you tell me to go home. Her
deep-brown face was puzzled and a little worried.
Things will work out. Maybe in a few days, when you've run out of movies, we'll get
back to normal start working. See you in the morning.
One thing, a girl certainly can't kick about the hours here.
Take in a movie tonight and you'll be on overtime, I said, trying to make a joke, as she
grinned and shut the door.
Bobo asked, A couple days? Think you've found the key to this mess?
Not yet, but it's coming to a head fast. Go home, but hang around the house tonight,
just in case I need you.
Maybe I should stay here, might be another rumble and...?
Naw, I think he's convinced we haven't got whatever he's hunting for.
He? You still think it's 'Cat' Franklin?
Bite your tongue before the cat gets it! I'll be okay. If that's the afternoon paper, leave
it.
I opened my tie, sat at my desk, reading the paper carefully, chopping away at my rubber
board. There wasn't a thing about Louise in the papers. That didn't mean the cops hadn't
found her... but whether they had or not, when she didn't show up at work tomorrow, or
answer her phone, the office would probably send somebody around... then it would
explode in the headlines.
So Franklin had been scared that made sense. He wouldn't risk a murder rap because
he was merely p.o.'ed, but if he was frightened...? But what on earth could two old
duffers like Brody and Shelton possibly do to scare the Cat ?
I kept working it around in my mind, making like a detective and ending up with
nothing but a headache. Then I knocked the phone over grabbing it; I broke out in a cold
sweat... all the time I'd been sitting on my bottom, I must have been sitting on my brains
too for I'd made another dumb move. The Cat had knocked off Anita and Louise
because he thought they were my girls. Now, assuming he had me tailed while I was
with Laurie... I'd really put the kiss of death on her!
14
IT was only five and I didn't get any answer, then... what a relief to hear her voice. I
said, Baby, you'll never know how good you sound!
You again. Did you get me out of the shower merely to hear my voice?
Not exactly. Have some talk for you over supper. This is important, so do exactly
what I tell you, don't ask questions. At exactly six-fifteen leave your place and walk over
I to that joint we had lunch at I'll meet you there.
All right, but...?
I'll explain later. Don't forget, leave exactly at six-fifteen and...
Should we synchronize our watches, general? Laurie asked, her voice dripping with
sarcasm.
Darn right. What time you got?
I haven't any time I'm naked and wet.... Oh, it's two minutes after five on the big hall
clock.
See you at the luncheonette, Laurie. Better dress, too.
Oh shut up, Mister... Darling!
Locking the office, I left the building and walked into Joe Brocco, a two-bit manager. He
asked, What's matter, Hal, the dick business lousy? Couple of the punchies working for
you been around, asking me to dig them up a bout. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] - zanotowane.pl
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