Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

CROSSROADS OF DESIRE “Hey, Jane. Come over here a min ” O’Bri $ : : ute,” O’Brien called. Wher the waitress walked over he “Go i ( a agate asked, “Got any idea where Larry Jane gave Connie a frosty glance, “H i ge E ee Z @ came in early this ae ning with a bad hangover. He went out again this afternoon. aid he was meeting a friend. I thought it was you.” “He was supposed to meet me tonight after the show, but he didn’t.” Jane’s eyes widened. The d coldness went out of them and sh grew concerned, “Then I can’t imagine—” ay it Sune happened!” Connie declared. She was sure of “Maybe we ought to call the police.” O’Bri "2 Gere oy police.” O’Brien suggested after The three of them stood there debatin g what to do. At that RO OIE DY the door to the saloon opened and all three stared as Larry came tottering in. His hat was pushed back on his head and a foolish, alcoholic smile was spread across his counten- ance. On his arm, smiling brightly, was Ginger Doss. CHAPTER ELEVEN Conn resisted an impulse to spring at the girl and lay her flat with a volley of rights and lefts. Twice, now, she had waited in the foyer of the theater for dates who didn’t show up Each time Ginger had been at the bottom of it.. She elared at the girl like a tigress, but held back only because Larr there. ees “What’s the meaning of this?” she growled. Larry looked at her blankly. She wasn’t even : ( A sure he recog- nized her. Ginger, however, had not had nearly so much i drink. She looked at Connie gaily. “Hi, there. We didn’t expect to find you here.” “Just what are you up to, Ginger?” Connie demanded. “Nothing at all,” said the blonde lightly. “He asked m i \ a HL, i ; e to go to dinner with him this evening. And that’s where we’ve beeuut 82 CROSSROADS OF DESIRE Connie turned her gaze to Larry. He stood there, weaving pre- cariously. Just then O’Brien stepped up and guided him to a chair. Larry sat down heavily. “He’s so pie-eyed he doesn’t know anything,” O’Brien com-= mented. “Maybe we’d better get him upstairs and into bed,” Jane suggested. “Don’t you dare touch him!” Connie ordered. She sat down at the table beside him and searched his eyes beseechingly. “Larry, what happened? What’s the matter?’ Larry’s head reared back. He tried to focus her with his eyes. He mumbled something unintelligible then just sat there sway- ine. Connie bit her lip. Larry was blind drunk. She’d get nothing out of him when he was like this. Bitterly she stood up. “Hey, Sam, gimme a hand here, will you?” O’Brien called. One of the bartenders came over. He took one look at Larry and smiled. At O’Brien’s order he helped lift him to his feet. The two men helped Larry out of the bar. We'll put him to bed then be right back,” called O’Brien over his shoulder. The three girls looked at each other. All three would have dropped dead on the spot if looks could kill. Jane Vollmer was the first to speak. “Until people like you two started showing up here, this was a nice little joint. Now look at it.” Ginger looked around amused. “Business appears to have picked up some.” “You bet it has,” said Jane dourly. “All the serewballs in town are turning up here.” With that she stalked off to take care of a number of cus- tomers who were waiting impatiently for more drinks. Ginger buttoned the collar of her coat. “Well, I guess I’ll be trotting along.” “Oh, no you don’t!” Connie erabbed her arm and spun her around. “Sit down there, you! There’re quite a few’ things I ‘want to find out.” ; Ginger looked her over insolently.” “Pye taken all the pushing around from you that I intend to,” she warned. “T don’t know what your game is, but Pll tell you one thing for sure! You damn well better sit down or I’m going to throw 83 Q EComichooksico