Woman in the Dark Read Online Free PDF Page B

"That's what we came for."
    Link, in bathrobe and slippers now, came in with a bottle of whiskey and some glasses.
    Brazil said: "The thing is, I slapped a guy down last night and he didn't get up."
    "Hurt bad?"
    Brazil made a wry mouth. "Maybe dying."
    Link whistled, said: "When you slap 'em, boy, they stay slapped."
    "He cracked his head on the fireplace," Brazil explained. He scowled at Link.
    Fan said: "Well, there's no sense worrying about it now. The thing to do is get something in your stomachs and get some rest. Come on, Donny, pry yourself loose from some of that booze." She beamed on Luise Fischer. "You just sit still and I'll have some breakfast in no time at all." She hurried out of the room.
    Link, pouring whiskey, asked: "Anybody see it?"
    Brazil nodded. "Uh-huh-the wrong people." He sighed wearily. "I want to hide out a while, Donny, till I see how it's coming out."
    "This dump's yours," Link said. He carried glasses of whiskey to Luise Fischer and Brazil. He looked at the woman whenever she was not looking at him.
    Brazil emptied his glass with a gulp.
    Luise Fischer sipped and coughed.
    "Want a chaser?" Link asked.
    "No, I thank you," she said. "This is very good. I caught a little cold from the rain."
    She held the glass in her hand, but did not drink again.
    Brazil said: "I left my car out front. I ought to bury it."
    "I'll take care of that, kid," Link promised.
    "And I'll want somebody to see what's happening up Mile Valley way."
    Link wagged his head up and down. "Harry Klaus is the mouthpiece for you. I'll phone him."
    "And we both want some clothes."
    Luise Fischer spoke: "First I must sell these rings."
    Link's pale eyes glistened. He moistened his lips and said: "I know the-"
    "That can wait a day," Brazil said. "They're not hot, Donny. You don't have to fence them."
    Donny seemed disappointed.
    The woman said: "But I have no money for clothes until-"
    Brazil said: "We've got enough for that."
    Donny, watching the woman, addressed Brazil: "And you know I can always dig up some for you, kid."
    "Thanks. We'll see." Brazil held out his empty glass, and when it had been filled said: "Hide the car, Donny."
    "Sure." The blond man went to the telephone in an alcove and called a number.
    Brazil emptied his glass. "Tired?" he asked.
    She rose, went over to him, took the whiskey glass out of his hand, and put it on the table with her own, which was still almost full.
    He chuckled, asked: "Had enough trouble with drunks last night?"
    "Yes," she replied, not smiling, and returned to her chair.
    Donny was speaking into the telephone: "Hello, Duke?… Listen; this is Donny. There's a ride standing outside my joint." He described Brazil's coupй. "Will you stash it for me?… Yes… Better switch the plates too… Yes, right away, will you?… Right." He hung up the receiver and turned back to the others, saying: "Voily!"
    "Donny!" Fan called from elsewhere in the flat.
    "Coming!" He went out.
    Brazil leaned toward Luise Fischer and spoke in a low voice: "Don't give him the rings."
    She stared at him in surprise. "But why?"
    "He'll gyp you to hell and gone."
    "You mean he will cheat me?"
    He nodded, grinning.
    "But you say he is your friend. You are trusting him now."
    "He's O.K. on a deal like this," he assured her. "He'd never turn anybody up. But dough's different. Anyhow, even if he didn't trim you, anybody he sold them to would think they were stolen and wouldn't give half of what they're worth."
    "Then he is a-" She hesitated.
    "A crook. We were cellmates a while."
    She frowned and said: "I do not like this."
    Fan came to the door, smiling, and said: "Breakfast is served."
    In the passageway Brazil turned and took a tentative step toward the front door, but checked himself when he caught Luise Fischer's eye and, grinning a bit sheepishly, followed her and the blonde woman into the dining room.
    Fan would not sit down with them. "I can't eat this early," she told Luise Fischer. "I'll get you a hot bath ready