aWell, that takes care of that,a he said to himself. aAnd Julie says the girlas in love with me. Well, what do you know? Wonat even accept an invitation to dinner. Is that what Julie calls love?a Some ten minutes later, he put down his pen and walked over to where his hat and coat were hanging. He was struggling into his coat when a tap came on the door and Julie came in.
aWhy, h.e.l.lo, Julie,a he said, straightening his coat. aWhat brings you here?a Julie reached up and gave him a quick kiss.
aI want some money,a she said. aIam lunching with Joyce Gibbons, and Iave come out without my purse.a aI wish I could join you,a English said regretfully, taking out his wallet. aWill fifty hold you?a aAmple, darling. Weare only going to eat a lettuce. Who are you lunching with?a aBernstein,a English said, grimacing. aHe wants me to feature that punk singer of his at the Golden Apple. Iall be d.a.m.ned if I will, but I want Tesca, and heas got her under contract. Sheas the most fantastic thing on two legs.a aIf youave made up your mind to get her, youall get her,a Julie said, putting the fifty-dollar bill into her handbag. aYou can drive me downtown if you like.a aWhere are you lunching?a English asked, reaching for his hat.
aThe Waldorf.a aRight, itas on my way. Come on then. Letas get going.a They walked into the outer office. Harry Vince came in at this moment. He gave Julie a quick, uneasy look, then stood aside.
ah.e.l.lo, Harry,a Julie said gaily. aI know what I want you to do for me.a aYes, Julie?a Harry said stiffly.
His tone made Lois look up sharply. She was sitting at her desk by the window, unnoticed by either Julie or Harry.
aI want two more tickets for the show. Itas for tonight,a Julie said. aCan you get them for me?a aWhy, yes,a Harry said, changing colour.
aHey!a English said with a grin. aDonat ruin me, Julie. I canat give too many tickets away.a aThese are for Joyce. I did promise her.a aSheas rolling in money. Why the heck canat she buy them?a aNow donat be a tightwad,a Julie said, linking her arm in his. aYou know people expect me to give them tickets for all your shows.a aSee what you can do for her, Harry,a English said. aWhat she says goes, it seems.a aYes, Mr. English,a Harry said huskily.
aArenat you dining with that dreary old senator tonight?a Julie said as she led English across the office. aWhat time are you meeting him?a aEight-thirty,a English said. aI wonat be seeing you tonight, Julie. Itas bound to be a long session.a He followed her into the pa.s.sage.
Harry stood motionless, looking after them. There was an expression on his face that startled Lois. She watched him, and when he went abruptly out of the office, she felt a little chill of apprehension run through her.
III.
Chuck Eagan swung the Cadillac to the curb and pulled up outside the ornate entrance to the Silver Tower.
English leaned forward.
aOkay, Chuck, take the car away, and get some dinner. Iall want you about half-past ten.a aWant me to come in, boss?a Chuck asked, his beady eyes searching the sidewalk.
English shook his head.
aNo. There wonat be any trouble in there. Itas when we come out I want you to keep your eyes open.a aTheyare always open,a Chuck said aggressively. aTen-thirty then?a aIall wait for you in the foyer.a Chuck got out of the car, looked up and down the sidewalk, his hand inside his coat, then he opened the car door and watched English hurry across the sidewalk into the restaurant.
English handed his hat and coat to the check-girl, and was moving to the washroom when he saw Senator Beaumont come in.
ah.e.l.lo there, Senator,a he said. aI havenat kept you waiting this time.a aHow are you, Nick?a Beaumont asked, shaking hands.
aIam fine. I was just going to have a wash. Coming?a aMay as well,a Beaumont returned, and together they walked into the ornate washroom.
While English washed his hands, Beaumont lit a cigar and stood near him, scowling.
aYou shouldnat have postponed that meeting, Nick,a he jerked out. aRees didnat like it.a aI didnat think he would,a English returned indifferently and reached for a hand towel. aIf I bothered my head about Reesas likes and dislikes Iad have no time to make money.a Beaumont shrugged.
aIam warning you. Rees isnat going to stand for much more of this treatment. He told me so.a English took the senatoras arm and propelled him out of the washroom into the bar.
aHave a highball and relax,a he said genially. aRees will stand for everything I dish out and you know it.a aHe wonat. He said it was time someone clamped down on you, and heas going to do it.a English pa.s.sed a highball to Beaumont and ordered a martini for himself.
aAnd how does he intend to clamp down on me?a he asked, smiling.
aHe didnat say, but Iave heard heas had a talk with the D.A. Heas onto Roy.a Englishas face tightened.
aWhat do you mean?a Beaumont shifted uneasily in his chair.
aHeas heard about the blackmail rumours. Heas pressing the D.A. to investigate.a English shrugged.
aThereas nothing to investigate. Let him go ahead if he wants to, but if he starts anything he canat prove Iam going to sue the coat off his back!a Beaumont nodded.
aI told him so,a he said, a satisfied expression coming into his eyes. aHe didnat like it. All the same, Nick, if there is any truth in it, youave got to be d.a.m.ned careful.a aDonat talk c.r.a.p!a English said roughly. aThereas nothing for me to do, nothing at all. Heas got to prove Roy was a blackmailer, and he canat do it.a aWell, Iam certainly glad to hear that,a Beaumont said, looking relieved. aYou wouldnat kid me, Nick?a aWhy should I? He canat prove it, nor can the D.A.a aHow about that girl? Royas secretary?a aSheas been taken care of. The press didnat hook her to Roy, nor did the D.A. Morilli covered it up. He certainly earned that five grand. Youave nothing to worry about, so relax, canat you?a aItas all very well for you to talk,a Beaumont said crossly. aBut Iave my position to think of.a aSo long as Iam here, you have nothing to worry about,a English said. aSo take it easy.a aTalk of the devil,a Beaumont muttered. aHereas Rees now.a English glanced up.
Standing in the doorway was a squat, hard-faced man in his late sixties, talking to a vivacious looking girl who was wearing a silver-blue mutation mink in a cape stole over a black evening gown.
aI wonder if he bought her that cape or if she hired it,a English said out of the corner of his mouth. aThatas Lola Vegas. She used to dance at the Golden Apple before I threw her out. She went for anything in trousers - even the waiters.a aKeep your voice down, for G.o.das sake!a Beaumont mumbled. aRees is poison to you and me.a aWho are you kidding? English said and laughed.
Rees came up to the bar and sat away from English. He nodded stiffly to Beaumont and then to English.
English nodded back, waved a careless hand at Lola, who glared at him before turning her back.
aWhen she tried to make the bellhop I thought it was time she went,a English said. aAs you can see, she still nurses a grudge.a Beaumont hurriedly switched the conversation to the coming election, and for the next half-hour, English listened to Beaumontas needs, which were substantial.
aThe last election didnat cost anything like this,a he broke in. aFor Peteas sake! Your costs are up twenty-five percent!a aThat may be,a Beaumont returned, abut Iave got a lot more opposition. There are a lot more people to take care of, and the only language they understand is spelt out in hard cash.a aAll the same thatas a lot of money,a English returned. aTell you what Iall do. Iall send Harry Vince down to your office tomorrow morning, and he can check on the whole position. Heas good at that kind of thing. Iall accept his estimate, and you must, too.a Beaumont scowled.
aI know Vince. Heas all for economy, and this isnat the time for economy, Nick.a But English wasnat listening. He had seen Corrine English, standing in the doorway. She was wearing a white evening dress that had seen better days. Her hair was untidy, and her face was flushed. Already people were staring at her.
aHereas Royas wife,a English said. aThis is the last time I come to this restaurant. Every crumb in town seems to be patronizing it.a Beaumont looked across the room, his small, wiry frame stiffening.
ah.e.l.l! She looks drunk,a he said, clutching hold of the arms of his chair.
aShe is drunk,a English returned, aand sheas coming this way.a He pushed back his chair and stood up as Corrine made unsteady progress across the bar toward him. He went to meet her smiling.
ah.e.l.lo, Corrine,a he said. aIf youare alone, perhaps youall join me.a ah.e.l.lo, louse,a she said shrilly. aIad rather be in a snake pit than with you.a The hum of conversation in the bar petered out, and all eyes turned to English in a silence that seemed to pile up around him like a snow drift. He continued to smile.
aIf thatas the way you feel, Corrine,a he said quietly, athen Iam sorry I asked,a and he turned back to his table.
aDonat run away,a Corrine said shrilly. aIave got a lot to say to you,a and she grabbed hold of his arm, pulling him around.
A hard-faced man in a tuxedo appeared suddenly behind the bar. He looked quickly at English, then said something to the barman.
English made no attempt to shake free from Corrineas grip. He was as unruffled as a bishop at a tea party.
aTake it easy, Corrine,a he said genially. aHadnat you better go home?a aYour wh.o.r.eas in bed with Harry Vince,a Corrine said, raising her voice. aTheyave been lovers for months, you poor, stupid sucker! Every time you have a business date, she sneaks off to his apartment. Sheas in bed with him right now!a People were leaning forward, staring and not missing word. The hard-faced man came out from behind the bar and walked smoothly up to English.
aShall I get her out, Mr. English?a he asked without moving his lips.
aItas all right,a English said gently, his face expressionless. aIall do it. Come on, Corrine. Iall see you home. You can tell me all about it as we go.a Corrine stepped back, her face going white. She expected some reaction from English, but his unruffled aim and apparent indifference to what she had said cut the ground from under her feet.
aDonat you believe me?a she screamed. aI tell you Julie Clairas in bed with your manager!a aWell, why shouldnat she be?a English said, smiling. aWhat business is it of yours or mine, Corrine?a Rees half started out of his chair, thought better of it and sat down again.
Lola said in a clear hard voice, aMy G.o.d! How absolutely disgusting!a aCome on, Corrine, letas go home,a English said, taking Corrineas arm.
aDonat you mind?a Corrine wailed, trying to pull away from a grip that looked gentle but that held her like a vise.
aWhy, no, I donat think I do,a English said soothingly as if talking to a child. aYou know as well as I do, itas all nonsense. Come along. People are staring at you, my dear.a He drew her toward the door.
A man said, aCanat the management keep these drunken tarts out of here, for G.o.das sake?a Corrine began to cry. What had seemed such a spectacular opportunity for revenge was petering out like a damp firecracker. By his quiet, kindly behavior she could feel English had the crowd with him. They looked on her as some souse making a scene without knowing what she was saying.
She made one more desperate attempt to save the situation.
aItas true!a she screamed, trying to break free. aAnd you killed your brother! You robbed me of twenty thousand dollars. Let go of me!a A man laughed suddenly, and she knew with a sickening sense of frustration that she had m.u.f.fed the whole plan.
English continued to walk with her from the bar into the empty lobby. She went with him, sagging a little at the knees.
aYou can tell me all about it when we get home,a he said in a quiet, clear voice, abut youad better have a bit of a sleep first.a They were in the lobby now.
The hard-faced man who had followed them said, aShall I call the cops, Mr. English?a aWhy, no, Louis,a English said, abut Iad be glad if you would see her home. Get a taxi, will you?a aOkay, Mr. English.a Corrine leaned against English and continued to cry. He put his arm around her.
aTake it easy,a he said. aYou get off home and have a sleep. I know how youare feeling.a aYou donat ,a Corrine moaned. aI wanted to hurt you. I wanted to make you suffer as you made me suffer.a aHow do you know you havenat?a English said, and tilted up her chin. aIs it true?a She couldnat meet his eyes.
She nodded.
aWell, thatas all right. Then weare quits. I shouldnat have threatened to hand Royas letters to the press. That was a bad move. I wouldnat have done it, of course, but I shouldnat have used such a threat against you.a Louis came up.
aThe taxias here, Mr. English.a aWill you see her home?a English said. aTreat her well.a aSure, Mr. English.a Louis took Corrineas arm.
aCome on, sister, letas get out of here.a Corrine stared at English.
aYouare not even mad at me,a she said, a catch in her voice. aWhat are you - some kind of saint?a aNothing like that,a English returned. aAfter all, Corrine, you are one of the family.a He watched Louis lead her across the sidewalk to the airing taxi. His face was a little pale now, but still expressionless.
Beaumont joined him.
aMy G.o.d, Nick! The press will get this. Why the h.e.l.l didnat you stop her talking? Rees was drinking it in. Heall read it all over the town.a English didnat say anything. He continued to stare out to the street.
aNick!a Beaumont said, shaking Englishas arm. aWhy didnat you stop her talking?a aShut up!a English said harshly. aI played it the right way. Do you think anyone will believe that drunken little sot?a Beaumont hesitated.
aIs it true?a English turned and looked at him. His tight blue eyes were like chips of ice.
aWhat the h.e.l.l is it to do with you or anyone else if it is true or not?a Beaumont recognized the danger signals.
aThatas right. Itas none of my business,a he said hurriedly. aWell, maybe wead better go into dinner.a aIam not staying. I have something to do,a English said. aIall see you tomorrow, Senator. Excuse me now.a He walked over to the cloakroom, got his hat and coat from the check-girl, and walked across the lobby to the revolving doors.
A man with a thin white scar that ran from his right ear to his mouth, who was standing in a phone booth near the exit, watched English wave to a taxi, then he picked up the receiver and began to dial.
IV.
At ten minutes to eight oaclock, Roger Sherman turned out the lights in his bedroom and moved over to the double windows that overlooked the street. He was dressed to go out. His brown slouch hat was pulled down low over his face, and the collar of his fawn mackintosh was turned up. He lifted the shade a few inches away from the window and peered down into the street. Rain, beating against the gla.s.s, made it difficult to see clearly. From the sixth-floor window the street looked narrow and the parked cars like toys.
Shermanas eyes searched the opposite doorways. He spotted the figure of a man, standing in a porch out of the rain, the red tip of a cigarette pinpointing his face, half concealed under a pulled-down hat brim.
Sherman chewed thoughtfully as he watched the man, then he nodded to himself, lowered the shade and walked into the living room, clicking on all the lights as he entered. He crossed the room, opened the door that led into the kitchen and went to the window without turning on the light. Again he lifted the shade and looked down into the back street that ran the length of the rear of his apartment block.
He finally spotted another man standing under a tree, and again he nodded. It was now obvious to him that English was making certain he would be kept informed of his movements. Since noon Sherman had known he had been tailed, and tailed by experts. He had tried to shake them, but it would have been easier to have rid himself of a flypaper sticking to his hands. These two men knew their business, and they didnat seem to care if he was aware or not that they were tailing him. They were intent only on not letting him give them the slip. They were now waiting for him to make a move, guarding the only two exits of the block, and it was essential to his plan that he wasnat followed this evening.
He returned to the sitting room and turned on the radio. Then he took from his pocket a pair of thin silk gloves, so that when he put them on they seemed to form a second skin on his hands.
He went over to his desk, opened a top drawer and took out a .38 Colt automatic. He released the clip, checked the bullets, replaced the clip and jacked a bullet into the breech. He clicked down the safety-catch and slipped the gun into his mackintosh pocket. Leaving the lights on in the sitting room, knowing the watcher below had a clear view of the lighted windows, Sherman walked softly to the front door, opened it a few inches and peered into the pa.s.sage. Away to his right he could see Englishas front door, which was closed. Opposite was the gate to the elevator. The pa.s.sage was empty. Only the loud sound of music coming from the radio filled the quiet of the pa.s.sage.
Sherman stepped into the pa.s.sage, closed the front door and walked swiftly and silently to the staircase. He went up, two steps at a time, until he reached the next landing. He paused for several seconds while he leaned over the banister rail, listening, but he heard nothing to excite his suspicions nor saw any movement.
He went along the pa.s.sage to a window, pushed it open and looked out into the dark night. Below him was a sheer drop of a hundred feet or more. The window looked out onto the roofs of houses and business premises, dwarfed by the vast block in which he was. He glanced back down the pa.s.sage, then put one foot up on the windowsill and, holding on to the window frame, he stood up, half in and half out of the window.
He reached up and his fingers closed around a narrow horizontal pipe that ran the length of the building. Holding on with one hand, he reached in and closed the window.
Rain beat down on him as he braced himself against the face of the building. His left hand went up and caught hold of the pipe.
The pipe was wet, and felt slippery; something he hadnat bargained for, and he cursed the rain. But this was the only way he could leave the block if he was to avoid the two men waiting for him below, and he didnat hesitate.
He shifted his hands until his body was at an almost forty-five degree sideways slant, his hands on the pipe, his feet on the windowsill. Then he swung his feet clear of the sill and hung in s.p.a.ce by his hands. With the agility of a gymnast, he swung himself along the pipe, hand over hand, until he reached a stack pipe that went down to a foot-wide ledge about twenty feet below his feet.
He had one dangerous moment as he was changing his hold from the horizontal pipe to the vertical one. His right hand failed to get a grip and he swung outward, hanging on only by his left hand.
He looked down into the dark depths below, his jaws moving rhythmically as he chewed, completely unafraid and unruffled. His right hand clawed out for the stack pipe, got a grip, and he pulled himself against the pipe, digging his knees into the sides of the pipe while he slowly released his grip of the horizontal pipe with his left hand.
He remained like that, clinging on with hands, knees and toes until he had properly adjusted his balance, then he began to let himself down inch by inch until he reached the ledge.
He stood against the face of the building while he recovered his breath. Thirty feet below him was a flat roof, an ugly projection that covered the kitchens of the restaurant of the apartment block.
He rested for a minute or so, then gripped the vertical pipe again and lowered himself to the flat roof. Bending low, to avoid being seen against the skyline, he walked silently to the edge of the roof to the fire escape ladder that would take him to the ground. He went down the ladder swiftly, and as easily as a man running downstairs.
He found himself in a dark alley, lined with garbage cans - the tradesmenas entrance to the apartment block. At the far end of the alley was the main street, and he walked quickly and silently toward it. When he reached the end of the alley, he stopped and peered cautiously into the street.
Some thirty yards to his right was the main entrance to the apartment block. He looked across the street. The watcher was still in the porch, sheltering from the rain, his eyes on the revolving doors opposite.
Sherman shifted the wad of gum from one side of his mouth to the other. He pulled his hat brim over his face, and moved out of the mouth of the alley, keeping in the shadows, his eyes fixed on the man in the porch.
He began to walk sideways away from the watcher, but the man in the porch didnat look his way, and, as Sherman turned the corner into a side street, he gave a little nod of satisfaction.
He was free now to go ahead with his plan unmolested and unwatched. He walked in the rain for some minutes until he was well clear of the apartment block, then he signalled to a pa.s.sing taxi.
aTake me to 5th and 27th Street,a he said, got into the cab and slammed the door.
V.
Julie lifted her head from the pillow and peered at the dial of the bedside clock. The hands showed three minutes after nine oaclock.
aItas not time yet surely?a Harry Vince said, pulling her close to him.
aNo. Another half-hour. Dear Harry,a Julie sighed, her hand touching his bare chest. aI wish I didnat have to leave you. Time goes so quickly.a aEnglish will be tied up for hours yet,a Harry said. aCanat you give up the club tonight, Julie? Canat you give it up altogether?a aI donat think Nick would like that,a Julie said, knowing that it would be she who wouldnat like it. aIf I gave it up head want me to be around with him more often, Harry.a aI guess so,a Harry said, depressed. aOh, well, I guess I must be grateful for small mercies.a aAre they so very small, darling?a aYou know what I mean. I want you all the time. I want you to be with me always.a aSo do I,a Julie said, a little untruthfully. She lifted her face so he could kiss her, and for some moments they gave themselves up to their love. Then Julie said suddenly, aBetter not, darling. No, really, Harry. I must be going in a few minutes.a aOh, Julie,a Harry said, breathing heavily. aLetas forget the d.a.m.ned club for tonight. Stay here with me. Donat go.a aI must go, Harry. They would wonder where I was. If they phoned Nick . . .a aOh, all right,a Harry said crossly. aIam sorry. I shouldnat have said that.a aDonat be angry, darling,a Julie said, and cautiously moved away from him, half sitting up. aWe must be sensible about this.a aYes, by all means let us be sensible,a Harry said bitterly.
She turned to smile at him.
aI love this room. I love the warm firelight, and I love you, darling.a He shook off his rising depression.