15 Story Detective, April 1950 — page 83: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

You Only Die Twice “T don’t. I used. to lie awake nights— hating her guts. Then one morning I woke up and I couldn’t remember what ‘she looked like, the color of her eyes, any- thing.” Casle nodded across the table. “I’m glad, George. I was afraid Los Angeles wouldn't. be big enough for the two of you,” “T could ignore her in Azusa,” Ball shrugged. “But that doesn’t mean I’m coming to L.A.” “You'd. better change your. mind. You've got a lot of friends down South.” “Yeah,” Ball leered at him. “I remem- ber them fighting to testify for me when they had me on the stand.” “That was seven years ago, George...” “Ts that all?” “T’m sorry, George, I—” “Forget it.” Dick leaned back and. smiled.- ‘“Let’s both forget it,” he said. ‘Look, I’ve been talking to a lot of people about you these last couple of weeks. You’d be surprised how many. of them agree that something ought to be done about you. Here’s the point, George—I want to bring you back to L.A. We'll find a job for you, and in the meantime you can shack up at my apartment. I’ve got a pull-down bed in my living room that’s not working. How about it?” George studied Casle’s earnest expres- sion, trying to read what was behind all this. sudden interest in Bafl’s. future. “Well, Dick, I—” “If you were still carrying a torch for Laura, I could—” “T was just going-to say,”’ Ball snapped, “that it was the best offer I’ve had yet.” “Then it’s a deal?” “What've [ got to lose?” Maybe he should’ve made Dick answer that question before they got in the cab to drive to the airport. But seven: years on The Rock makes a guy careless about those things. &3 The pilot found a hole in the smog over Burbank and set them down at Union Air Terminal. Dick took George directly to his. apartment, explained that he’d have to. go downtown. George was to make himself at home with the shower, linens, liquor or anything else he saw around the place. Dick would give him a call later and they’d have dinner together. He left twenty bucks with George, “Just in case my shirts don’t fit; or you want to buy a pair of socks.” After Dick was gone, George took him upon the shower. He found a terry-cloth robe in the closet. The icebox produced makings for a steak sandwich, and George settled down to spend a peaceful afternoon on Dick’s' davenport. There was nothing lavish about the apartment—just some Grand Rapids furniture in a respectable amount of space—but George had forgot- ten even that much luxury. Some time during the afternoon, his last, sleepless night on The Rock caught up with him. He awoke to the bleat of the doorbell— had to Jie there for a minute, eyes staring, while he squared himself with his situ- ation. Then Ball got off the davenport and shuffled to.the door, opened it a crack and peered out. A girl was standing in the dimly lighted hall. Ball seemed to be something of a sur- prise to. her. Maybe even a shock. He realized he hadn’t pulled the robe across his. chest, clutched the lapels together, as she said, “Oh—lI beg: your pardon.” She glanced at the number on the door, to reassure herself. “I was looking for Dick Casle,” she explained. “Is he—”’ “Dick isn’t here right now,” Ball re- plied. “Can I take a message?”’ The girl smiled. ‘Then you're a friend of mine,” she said. Ball had no choice. He opened the door and she came in. ‘“‘Dick ought to be home Jater,’’ he stammered. “Oh, that’s all right,’”’ she lilted, cross- ing the room to a carved mahogany cab- Gomichbooks (EO)