[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
and pushed the door open. She groped for the light switch, turned it on and we went in together.
The room was big. Under green-shaded lights was a round table, equipped with decks of
playing cards and two wooden racks containing poker chips. There were about ten chairs
grouped round the table; a couple of brass spittoons completed the furnishing.
Okay, I said. Now where s the back exit which Nick used?
She turned out the light and we went to the far end of the passage. A door opened on to a
veranda, overlooking an alley. A steep flight of wooden steps linked the veranda with the alley.
Right. We ll wait for him inside. If he shows fight, I ll rap him on the dome, but if we can,
we ll try to persuade him to walk. He s no light weight.
We moved back into the passage again.
Any of these other rooms empty, do you know?
111
Look and see, she said, opened the first door she came to and groped for the light switch.
There was an angry yell, and a flood of violent language, and she turned off the light hurriedly.
That one isn t, she said, moved to the next door.
Wait a minute, I said, grabbing her arm. We ll have a riot up here if you keep doing that.
Let s try the door opposite 15.
We went farther down the passage and paused outside the door opposite 15. I rapped gently.
There was a sound of movement and the door opened.
A tall, tired-looking blonde in a none-too-lean wrap peered at me. Her painted face
brightened a little, the smudged lips forced a smile.
Hello, honey, looking for me?
Then she saw Myra and her face turned to stone.
What do you want?
Her face was familiar. My mind groped back into the pa remembered a night when I d been
in trouble, had come through the skylight into this passage and the blonde had saved me.
Remember me? We had a little fun about two years back, I said, moving so the light from
her room fell on my face. I went out of the window with half the cops in Coral Gables after
me.
She stared, frowned, then her face brightened again.
Jeepers! I d forgotten you. I remember. You spoilt one of my best sheets, sliding out of that
window. What are you doing here ? More trouble ?
Could we come in and talk?
She looked at Myra.
She too?
Yeah; this is business.
She must have remembered I hadn t been tight-fisted last time we met, and she stood aside.
Well, come on in. It s not much of a place for visitors, she meant Myra.
We went into the room which was small and stuffy and skimpily furnished. A bed, a chest of
drawers, a toilet basin and a threadbare rug were the only luxuries it could boast of.
I never got your name last time, I said, propping myself up against the wall.
112
Lola, the blonde said and sat on the bed. She wasn t at ease with Myra in the room.
Myra rested her hips against the toilet-basin. She looked around the room with unconcealed
curiosity. Lola watched her, waiting for some remark that didn t come.
I m after Betillo again, I said quietly. Remember? The last time we met I d been to see him
with a club in my hand.
What s he done to you this time? Lola asked, looking interested. I still hate that heel.
Nothing to me personally, but to her boy friend. I said, waving a hand towards Myra. Nick
Perelli.
Lola s eyes opened.
The guy who snatched Dedrick? she asked. Gee! I ve been reading about that business.
She looked enviously at Myra. Did your honey get away with five hundred grand?
Wait a minute, I said hastily as Myra s pale little face hardened. You re on the wrong
number. Perelli didn t pull the Dedrick snatch. He was framed for it. He was playing cards with
Betillo at the time of the kidnapping, but Betillo has sold him to the cops. That s why I want
Betillo.
That rat would sell his first-born to the cops, Lola said in disgust.
I had a sudden idea.
You didn t see Perelli leave, did you?
Leave where? What do you mean?
He was playing cards with Betillo in Room 15. He said he left Betillo at ten-thirty. Betillo
said it was nine-thirty. The kidnapping took place just before ten.
Lola closed her eyes in the effort to think.
I don t remember seeing him, she said at last. But then I see so many men during the
evening, honey,
He wore a white linen suit, Myra said. A navy blue shirt and a white, hand-painted tie.
Lola gaped.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]