Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

CROSSROADS OF DESIRE his limousine off, having anticipated a couple o: ar with Connie. Tf that were all that had aoe, ee ae ee he eae not now be in such a hurry. was ad enough that Connie, for reasons v turned on him like a trapped wildcat and used Hae es target at which to throw things. It was even worse that, in a moment of frenzy, she had ordered him out of the apartment he was paying for. But the crowning blow—the event that rocked Philip back on his heels—was the presence in her room of alee oe Avenue piano player. eé had made provisions against such a thine thought. He had entered into a bargain in tie Ei Sane pledging certain commitments for the guarantee that the piano player would be removed as a threat to‘his happiness. Ginger Doss had betrayed him and Philip was out for blood. He got in a taxi and rode to the mid-town hotel where Ginger and Rob Walker were known to be registered. At the house phone in the lobby he got connected with Walker’s suite and announced to the startled salesman that he was coming right up. His agitation mounted as he went up in the elevator ello, Philip,” Walker greeted him cordially when he entered Don’t hello Philip’ me!” he cried angrily. “‘Where’s Ginger?” Meas hurried to a door that led from the small living room of the suite. He knocked. “Ginger, Philip is here and wants to see you.” The blonde came out smiling a moment later ing’ a thin dressing gown about her waist. She spoke to: DH eae ee eee him how things had been going. is at’s what I came here to find out!” ili i “Did you explain things to Robbin vats gametes “Yes, I told him the deal we’d made.” ee eipprotsttea ya iu give anbin ect conte ches alienate that piano player’s affection for Constance.” ae as = io eee alienated last night, then I was cock- pore Sey have been!” Ginger stared, the smile vanishing 90 CROSSROADS OF DESIRE “tTe most certainly could. I saw him with my own eyes!” “But he was hopelessly out on his feet by the time I got him back to O’Brien’s last night. I even stayed until O’Brien and the bartender took him upstairs and put him to bed. I saw them take him upstairs.” : “Maybe he got up and went over to Connfe’s this morning, Robbin suggested. Philip thought about that a moment then shook his head. “He looked at me like a man who had spent the night there. The deal I made with Ginger was that they were to be kent apart. And within twenty-four hours I find them together again. To hell with a contract for you!” ; “Oh, now, wait a minute, Philip,” cried Robbin in alarm. “Maybe something went wrong that was beyond Ginger’s control. Please, let me assure you, we'll do eyerything in our power. We’ll leave no stone unturned—’” “Hey, wait a minute,” said Ginger thinking hard, “There’s just one possibility. One thing that could have happened, if Tm remembering correctly.” Both men looked at her and she went on, “Connie was in O’Brien’s when Larry and I got there.” This information was a low blow to Philip. He took a step backward. Connie had told him that she was going to rest last night. She had denied him the privilege of taking her to dinner on the grounds that she wanted to spend the evening at home. What had she been doing at O’Brien’s? Philip was meeting with treachery at every turn. “Tt could be, though I can’t quite see how,” Ginger speculated, “she might have gotten him out of bed and taken him home with her.” “Could be,” Robbin agreed. Philip sank into a chair and asked for a glass of water. Robbin poured him a good stiff drink of whiskey instead. Philip quaffed jt in one gulp. The fiery drink gave him new life as it reached his stomach. “Tm going to find out where I stand right now!” he declared. “Tm sick and fed up.” He got to his feet and headed for the door. “Where are you going?” asked Robbin. 91 CoRnmclbooolkks.conn 19