The Way You Die Tonight Read Online Free PDF

about me. Some of them are true. And seeing me sitting here naked, you probably think the wrong ones are true.’
    â€˜I’ve heard you’re a brilliant businessman,’ I said. ‘I’ve heard that you’ve been successful and made a fortune at everything you’ve ever tried. I assume those stories are true.’
    â€˜They are.’
    â€˜I’ve heard that you have a checkered past with women, and that you’re very demanding in both your private and business life.’
    â€˜Again, all true.’
    â€˜I’ve heard that you’re crazy.’ I said that before I had a chance to change my mind.
    â€˜And I’ve heard that you speak your mind,’ Hughes said. ‘I’m glad to see that’s true.’
    I remained silent again.
    â€˜I’m not crazy,’ he said.
    â€˜Glad to hear it.’
    â€˜Not all the time, anyway,’ Hughes added. ‘Like anyone else, I have my moments.’
    â€˜Of course.’
    â€˜Look,’ he said, ‘take some time. Think it over. Get back to me in … a few days.’
    â€˜You’ll be here?’
    â€˜Right here,’ he said.
    â€˜Not thinking about leaving the hotel?’
    He smiled.
    â€˜Not planning on leaving this room, Eddie,’ he said. ‘Can we agree that you’ll think about it?’
    â€˜I think I can agree to that.’
    â€˜Good, good,’ Hughes said. ‘I assume Maheu gave you his numbers?’
    â€˜He did.’
    â€˜Then you can call him when you want to see me again,’ Hughes said. ‘He’ll arrange it.’
    â€˜All right.’
    I stood up.
    â€˜Do you want any money?’ he asked.
    I wasn’t sure I’d heard him right.
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜Money,’ he said, ‘like an advance? A retainer?’
    â€˜I’m not a private eye or a lawyer, Mr Hughes,’ I said. ‘No, I don’t need any money. Not if all I’m going to do for now is think about your offer.’
    â€˜Fine,’ Hughes said. ‘I won’t try to throw money at you, then. I’ll wait to hear from you.’
    â€˜All right.’
    I turned and headed for the door.
    â€˜Do me a favor, will you?’ he asked.
    â€˜What’s that?’
    â€˜Turn the volume up on the TV?’
    I looked at him. For the first time since I’d entered the room he looked like he was in pain. If it hurt to be touched by his clothes or his shoes, I wondered how he withstood sitting on the leather sofa, or even walking on the rug?
    I walked to the door, waited a moment to see if he wanted anything else, and then left.
    â€˜Done?’ the bodyguard asked.
    â€˜For now.’
    â€˜Come on,’ he said, ‘I’ll take you to the elevator.’
    â€˜I know the way.’
    He waved for me to precede him.
    â€˜So,’ he said, and I knew what was coming, ‘what’s he like?’
    â€˜What have you heard he’s like?’
    â€˜Brilliant,’ he said, ‘and crazy.’
    â€˜One of those must be right,’ I said.

NINE
    A lthough I wasn’t supposed to be working, I just naturally headed for the Sands. It was my home away from home. Actually, there were times it felt more like home than my house did. If I was ever driving and allowed my mind to wander, I automatically headed for the Sands.
    I parked the Caddy, went in and took the elevator to Jack’s floor. His girl wasn’t sitting at her desk – which was odd – so I went right in.
    â€˜Where’s the keeper of the gate?’ I asked.
    â€˜Huh? What?’ Entratter looked up from his desk. ‘Oh, she still ain’t out there? Damn it, I haven’t seen her in hours. I don’t know what’s goin’ on with her. She’s been off lately.’
    â€˜Lately?’ I sat across from him.
    â€˜What’s on your mind?’ he asked, then his eyebrows shot up. ‘Wait. Did you see him?