Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

CROSSROADS OF DESIRE Jack nodded. “He was tighter than a hoot owl. He looked right at me as we passed his table but didn’t know me from Adam.” Connie sat flabbergasted. She gazed off into space, her mind grappling with this startling turn of events. That wasn’t like Philip at all. As long as she had known him she had never seen him that drunk! “Beats anything I ever heard of,” she said and managed a smile for the benefit of her two companions. She didn’t want them to see the havoc that swirled suddenly within her. With grim determination she held her growing Tage in abeyance until she had finished her cigarette. Casually she beckoned to the waiter and paid her check. She bid June and Jack good night and left the restaurant. But the moment she was outside, her anger boiled to the surface. With quick purposeful strides she lit off down the street in the direction of the Astor. Her lips were compressed in a thin line and her eyes gleamed maliciously. Drastic measures were called for at a time like this. A search of the Astor Bar, however, failed to reveal any trace of Philip Hathaway and a blonde. This stopped her, but only for a moment. She started to telephone to contact Burkins but on second thought swerved off toward the entrance of the hotel. Connie got into a taxi and gave the driver Philip’s address. Like a vengeful Diana her determination mounted with the in- creased tempo of the chase. She’d make quick work of the blonde, then attend to the hapless Philip. A few minutes later she arrived at his apartment. “Where is he?” she demanded, sweeping past Burkins and into the room. The valet, a tall impeccably dressed middle aged man, looked at her in surprise and confusion. Concern filled his eyes as they darted toward the bedroom. “Er, Mr. Hathaway, isn’t—” “Never mind!” Connie exclaimed, reading his thoughts. She made a beeline for the bedroom. An instant later she burst in. Philip was half undressed and slumped in a chair near the bed. Ginger stood beside him trying to revive him with a wet towel. “So, you were the one,” said Connie glaring at Ginger. 48 CROSSROADS OF DESIRE _ Ginger measured her cautiously. “I managed to get him home, if that’s what you mean,” “What did you do to him?” _ “I didn’t do anything,’ Ginger replied, her eyes wary. “He got blotto on his own.” “Maybe this will teach you to mind your own business.” _ Connie swung. The palm of her hand smacked viciously against Ginger’s cheek. Ginger stepped back. She barely had : time to realize what had happened before Connie slapped her again. This time Ginger cried out in defiance but Connie had the aggressor’s advantage. They clashed. Though Ginger was the heavier of the two by at least fifteen pounds she was thrown backwards. Connie landed on top as they hit the floor, knocking the breath out of Ginger. She was about to administer further punishment to her vanquished rival when Burkins ran in horrified and pulled Connie off. “Miss Carter, please!” he cried in alarm. Connie's rage reached a stage borderine on frenzy at that Moment. She turned the air blue reciting what she thought of Ginger but Burkins was the only one who heard. Ginger sat up dizzily, shaking her head as if to clear it. Through it all Philip remained slumped oblivious in the chair.” “Please, please,’ Burkins begged. “You must calm down, Miss Carter.” Connie wrenched herself free of his grasp. For an instant it looked as if she might renew her attack on Ginger. But just then Philip groaned and shifted in the chair. His glasses had Slipped down on his nose and his mouth hune partly open. Connie favored him with a look of supreme loathing. _ “The drunken sot,’ she said, speaking her thoughts aloud. “Why am I wasting time here?” With that she turned suddenly and marched out of the room, through the living room to the door. She slammed it behind her. Connie was angry and disgusted with herself all at once. Why had she wasted time coming here? Why? Her original purpose disappeared completely as she thought of Larry. He wouldn’t have gotten drunk and left her waiting at the theater. She hailed a taxi on the street and told the driver to take her 49 a COMMEDOOLKES x€O im pees