Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

CROSSROADS OF DESIRE the hooks into that dim-witted friend of yours, Rob Walker. I know he’s trying to get a contract out of Philip. One word from me and he won’t even get a kind word. Now, are you going to sit down?” Ginger thought that over, All at once she shrugged and sat down. A waiter came over immediately when Connie joined her. Ginger ordered a highball and Connie, not to be outdone, ordered one herself. When the waiter went off she eyed the blonde narrowly. “Okay. What’s your game? This sort of thing doesn’t happen to Philip, then to Larry by coincidence.” “I don’t know what youre talking about.” “What were you doing at Sardi’s last night?” Ginger quickly covered the surprise that came to her eyes. “Maybe that’s none of your business.” “What were you doing there? Hither you tell me or I’m going to call Philip this instant.” “Go ahead. Call him,” Ginger smiled. “He was the one who suggested I go there.” Connie’s mouth dropped. She looked at Ginger in disbelief, Why would Philip put her up to a thing like that? So many questions suddenly filled her mind that she paid no attention when Ginger arose and with a mocking smilé went out of the saloon. ies s It was possible, of course, that Ginger was lying. Connie didn’t for a minute believe it to be the whole truth. She needed to find out from Larry what had happened. While she was considering what to do next, O’Brien and Sam, the bartender, came back. O’Brien joined her at the table. “We got him to bed, all right.” i : “Did he say anything?” Connie asked. “Not a word. He’s so drunk that he’s agreeable to anything. Can I buy you another drink, Miss Carter?” Connie looked at her glass. She hadn’t even realized that it was empty. She nodded. O’Brien signalled for a couple of drinks, then turned to Connie again. “It’s downright remarkable what’s happened around here since you started patronizing us. You know, my business has almost doubled?” 84 CROSSROADS OF DESIRE “No,” replied, not even considering his words, as fee I ecuess it’s a result of the publicity guts he fact that a celebrity like you comes in here, Miss Carter. course, Larry is a good piano player. People like to ee to his music and now that he’s gotten pee a right nice ing card. I’m going to increase his pay. : Bice eres she nonned what he had said. She glanced at him. “Larry is cut out for better things than this.” “What’s wrong with playing the piano here?” he ee iS “Nothing, but you can’t afford to pay him what he : ae " e me, Miss Carter, I’m going to pay him well e ug to ee ae The only thing is, I can’t have him Se up drunk like this very often. That’s the only exception I’li ma Bes : Connie had other plans for Larry. She finished nee drink and stood up. O’Brien arose with her and invited her to see in any time she wanted to. From now on she could have a the drinks she wanted for free. Connie managed a civil answe but that was all. Outside she glanced back to see if anyone inside the see was watching her. Casually she moved into the SpAe OWE t. en ducked purposefully into the doorway that led ete ae she ran up the steps, found Larry’s room and entered it. turned on a light. Larry was in bed asleep. She went over and shook him. He egrunted and rolled over. Connie looked around. She he wash cloth and held it under the cold water faucet in the ae i When it. was, thoroughly chilled she returned to the bed an laid it on Larry’s face. He groaned. She talked to him gently as she bathed his face. With persistence she finally got him into a sitting ee “Come on, honey, we’re getting out of ee cee ry gave a meaningless mutter but submitte docilely one a on with his clothes. She finally got pin after fifteen minutes. The problem now was to. a We downstairs. They stumbled down the stairs and:out onto : sidewalk. A cruising taxi pulled over to the curb a ee later. The driver helped Larry in. He fell asleep the momen he hit the leather cushion. She was bitterly aware that Larry knew nothing of what was comiicbooks.co im