1945 - Blonde's Requiem Read Online Free PDF Page B

in my hand while I stared out of the window at the traffic. Then I shoved it down the waistband of my trousers and adjusted my vest points over the butt.

     

chapter two
     
    “ I think, ” Marian French said calmly, “ we are being followed. ”
    We had finished dinner and were on our way back to the hotel. A large, sullen-looking moon hung in the cloudless sky and floodlit the street. The night air was stifling and I carried my coat on my arm.
    Marian, in a light summer frock, her hat in her hand, had wanted to walk back to the hotel. It was just after ten o ’ clock when we left the restaurant and we had crossed the street and were walking in the deep shadows when she made the remark.
    I glanced down at her. “ Sure all those ice drinks aren ’ t upsetting your judgment? ” I asked.
    She shook her head. “ I don ’ t think so. Don ’ t look now, but have a feeling someone is interested in us. ”
    I didn ’ t want any trouble just then. There was no reason to mix Marian up in my affairs. I looked around for a taxi, but the long street was deserted. I glanced back over my shoulder, but the shadows from the houses were too dark to get a clear view of the street.
    “ I don ’ t see anyone, ” I said, increasing my stride. “ Did you? ”
    “ There was a man standing opposite the restaurant when we came out. He started after us, but I lost sight of him. I didn ’ t think anything of it until I saw him again as he passed under a street light. He dodged into a doorway as I looked back. The sudden way he did it gave me the heebies. Perhaps I ’ m a little nervy tonight. ”
    She put her slim hand in mine and squeezed my fingers.
    “ What was he like? ”
    “ I didn ’ t see him clearly, ” she returned. “ He was big, but I couldn ’ t make out how he was dressed or what he looked like. ”
    “ Okay, ” I said. “ Don ’ t get excited. Maybe he isn ’ t following us, but if he is we ’ ll soon find out. We ’ ll turn the next corner and you go on. The clatter you make with your heels ought to fox him. I ’ ll wait for him and give him a surprise. ”
    “ Is that a good idea? ” She looked anxiously up into my face. “ He might be dangerous. ”
    I grinned at her. “ He won ’ t be. They never arc. ” I opened my coat and my fingers touched the smooth butt of the .38. “ There ’ s a turning just ahead. You go straight on. Can you find your way back to the hotel if I ’ m delayed? ”
    “ I think so, ” she said, a little doubtfully. “ Are you sure you ’ re doing the right thing? You don ’ t want to be—hurt. I wouldn ’ t like— ”
    “ That ’ s all right, ” I said, patting her hand. “ In my job this kind of thing happens every so often. I haven ’ t been hurt yet. ”
    We turned the corner and I gave her a little push forward. “ On your way, honey, ” I said softly, “ and make those heels ring. ”
    She gave me a quick look and went on. Her wooden heels clicked steadily on the brick pavement.
    I put my hand on my gun and leaned against the wall, watching the corner.
    All I could hear was the distant roar of the traffic on Main Street, the fading sound of Marian ’ s heels on the sidewalk and the ticking of my wristwatch.
    I stood there for several minutes, then I heard light footsteps approaching. I loosened my gun a trifle and waited. At the corner the footfalls slowed and then stopped. There was a long pause of silence; even the traffic seemed to have ceased to hurtle along Main Street.
    I didn ’ t move. I stood close against the wall, breathing gently through my nose while I strained to hear the slightest sound.
    Whoever it was round the corner coughed suddenly. A low, smothered cough that startled me. I half drew the gun and then, grinning savagely to myself, shoved it back again.
    There came a faint sound and then a long starved shadow edged forward along the brick pavement ahead of me. I looked at the shadow and I felt spooked.
    Sweat that had been