The Scarlet Ruse Read Online Free PDF Page A

emigrated to Israel and married there. He has seven, I think, grandchildren. He visits once a year. He gives to Jewish Relief, Bonds for Israel. He's set up an educational insurance policy for each grandchild. He's big in the temple. Special work and special gifts. He runs the store because he likes it. He's used to it. His work is his hobby. He's very proud of his reputation for fair dealing. He's proud of having so many good friends scattered around the country. He overpays his help. He lives in an apartment hotel, so called. He knows everybody within four blocks of his store in any direction. Why isn't he rich? I think maybe he's as rich as he wants to be."
    "Maybe he ought to sell the business and retire and leave for Israel next week."
    "That's the last thing Hirsh would ever do."
    "If he could do it, he would have already done it."
    "Right."
    A huge old man came lumbering over to our table. "Don't tell me," he said. He bent over and peered into my face. "Don't tell me. You were six years witha Steelers. Then you got traded to the Eagles. This your second year witha Dolphins, right? Like fourteen years in pro ball. You lost the speed, and you're not as big as the ones coming up, but you got the cutes, boy. You got the smarts. You got those great patterns and those great fakes. In a minute I'll come up with your name. You'll see. Who's this with you?"
    "One of the trainers."
    "Trainer, eh? Good! Worse thing you can do is consort with a known gambler, right? They'll throw your ass out of the league."
    When he reached for a nearby chair, I stood up quickly and said, "Nice to meet a knowledgeable fan, sir. See you around."
    "Any minute now I'll remember your name, fella."
    "Want some help?"
    "No. I don't need any help. I know you good."
    The sun was gone when we went out into the muggy evening. Meyer sighed as we started toward the parking place and said, "You look like a hero, and I look like a known gambler."
    "Nature plays fair. You're the one with the good head."
    "The good head says you are going to try to get a line on Sprenger first."
    In September the Amalgamated Lepers of Eurasia could negotiate special convention rates at any one of fifteen brassy hostelries along Collins Avenue. Bellhops even smile when tipped.
    I found a handy spot for old Miss Agnes and told Meyer to be patient. I could work it better alone, and it might mean several hotel lounges before I could put anything together. I tried the Fountainbleu first, that epic piece of decor a Saturday Evening Post journalist once described as looking like "an enormous dental plate."
    When my eyes were used to the gloom, I spotted a bar waitress who used to be at the Eden Roc. Kay. Nice eyes, big smile, fat legs.
    "Hey, where you been hiding, McGee?"
    "What are you doing working here?"
    "Oh, I run into kind of a personal problem the other place. It was better I should try another place. It's okay here."
    "How are the twins?"
    "In the second grade! Would you believe?"
    "I bet they're beautiful."
    "They are, if I say so myself, but they're hellers. Look, I got to go take care of my station."
    "Come back when you get a chance. I want to ask you something."
    "Sure."
    When she came back to the bar and touched me on the shoulder, I turned on the stool and said, "I was trying to get a reading on somebody. I was looking for somebody like Brownie."
    She leaned warmth against the side of my thigh and said, "I know. But they say he's dead."
    "How long?"
    "A year, maybe. He just stopped showing, and when somebody checked his place, there was nothing there. So nobody got a postcard even, and they say he was dropped in the ocean, and somebody cleaned his place out so it would look like he left. Maybe he had too many readings on people. You know."
    "Is Willy still over at the Contessa?"
    "Sure. He knows all, that guy. But he won't say."
    "Maybe he owes me one."
    "If he does, he won't remember. You know how he is."
    "I'll give it a try."
    "You come back, hear? I'm off at nine