vulgar.
Her full face was there, only sixteen inches away, with the muscles no longer under strain, the closest I had ever been to it, and there was no question about how lovely it was. Under different circumstances my reaction would have been merely normal and healthy, but at the moment I could have slapped it with pleasure. I had felt a familiar tingle at the base of my spine when I thought she was going to open up about a midnight ride up Broadway, probably with one of her co-workers, possibly with the boss himself, and then she had danced off into this folderol.
She needed a lesson. I understand your position, I said, a girl as sweet and fine and strong as you, but its bound to come out in the end, and I want to help. Incidentally, I am not married. Ill go to Inspector Cramer right now and tell him about it. Hell want to take photographs of your throat. I know the warden down at the jail and Ill see that you get good treatment, no rough stuff. Do you know any lawyers'
She shook her head, answering, I thought, my question about lawyers, but no. She didnt believe in answering questions.
About your being married, she said, I hadnt even thought. There was an article in the American magazine last month about career girls getting married.
Did you read it'
No. I may be able to persuade the district attorney to make it a manslaughter charge instead of murder, which would please your folks in Michigan. I drew my feet back and slid forward on the chair, ready to rise. Okay, Ill go tell Cramer.
That article was silly, she said. I think a girl must get her career established first. Thats why when I see an attractive man I never wonder if hes married; by the time Im ready for one these will be too old. Thats why I wouldnt ask you if you know anyone in show business, because I wouldnt take help from a man. I think a girl -
If Ed hadnt signaled to me just then, his customer having left the chair,
theres no telling how it would have ended. It would have been vulgar to slap her, and no words would have been any good since she was deaf, but surely I might have thought of something that would have taken effect. As it was, I didnt want to keep Ed waiting so I got up and crossed to his chair and climbed in.
Just scrape the face, I told him.
He got a bib on me and tilted me back. Did you phone'he asked. Did that fathead forget again'
I told him no, that I had been caught midtown with a stubble and an unforeseen errand for which I should be presentable and added, You seem to have had some excitement.
He went to the cabinet for a tube of prefabricated lather, got some on me, and started rubbing. We sure did, he said with feeling. Carl, you know Carl, he killed a man in Tinas booth. Then they both ran. Im sorry for Tina, she was all right, but Carl, I dont know. He moved to my left cheek.
I couldnt articulate with him rubbing. He finished, went to wipe his fingers,
and came with the razor. I rolled my head into position, to the left, and remarked, Id sort of watch it, Ed. Its a little risky to go blabbing that Carl killed him unless you can prove it.
Well, he had fits. The razor was as sharp and slick as usual. What did he run for'
I couldnt say. But the cops are still poking around here, even an inspector.
Sure they are, theyre after evidence. You gotta have evidence.
Ed pulled the skin tight over the jawbone. For instance, they ask me did he show me anything or ask me anything about some article from the shop. I say he didnt. That would be evidence, see'
Yes, I get it. I could only mumble. What did he ask you'
Oh, all about me, name, married or single - you know, insurance men, income tax, they all ask the same things. But when he asked about last night I told him where to get off, but then I thought what the hell and told him. Why not'Thats my philosophy, Mr. Goodwin - why not'It saves trouble.
He was prying my chin up, doing the throat. That clean, I rolled my head to the right to turn the other cheek.
Of course, he
Her full face was there, only sixteen inches away, with the muscles no longer under strain, the closest I had ever been to it, and there was no question about how lovely it was. Under different circumstances my reaction would have been merely normal and healthy, but at the moment I could have slapped it with pleasure. I had felt a familiar tingle at the base of my spine when I thought she was going to open up about a midnight ride up Broadway, probably with one of her co-workers, possibly with the boss himself, and then she had danced off into this folderol.
She needed a lesson. I understand your position, I said, a girl as sweet and fine and strong as you, but its bound to come out in the end, and I want to help. Incidentally, I am not married. Ill go to Inspector Cramer right now and tell him about it. Hell want to take photographs of your throat. I know the warden down at the jail and Ill see that you get good treatment, no rough stuff. Do you know any lawyers'
She shook her head, answering, I thought, my question about lawyers, but no. She didnt believe in answering questions.
About your being married, she said, I hadnt even thought. There was an article in the American magazine last month about career girls getting married.
Did you read it'
No. I may be able to persuade the district attorney to make it a manslaughter charge instead of murder, which would please your folks in Michigan. I drew my feet back and slid forward on the chair, ready to rise. Okay, Ill go tell Cramer.
That article was silly, she said. I think a girl must get her career established first. Thats why when I see an attractive man I never wonder if hes married; by the time Im ready for one these will be too old. Thats why I wouldnt ask you if you know anyone in show business, because I wouldnt take help from a man. I think a girl -
If Ed hadnt signaled to me just then, his customer having left the chair,
theres no telling how it would have ended. It would have been vulgar to slap her, and no words would have been any good since she was deaf, but surely I might have thought of something that would have taken effect. As it was, I didnt want to keep Ed waiting so I got up and crossed to his chair and climbed in.
Just scrape the face, I told him.
He got a bib on me and tilted me back. Did you phone'he asked. Did that fathead forget again'
I told him no, that I had been caught midtown with a stubble and an unforeseen errand for which I should be presentable and added, You seem to have had some excitement.
He went to the cabinet for a tube of prefabricated lather, got some on me, and started rubbing. We sure did, he said with feeling. Carl, you know Carl, he killed a man in Tinas booth. Then they both ran. Im sorry for Tina, she was all right, but Carl, I dont know. He moved to my left cheek.
I couldnt articulate with him rubbing. He finished, went to wipe his fingers,
and came with the razor. I rolled my head into position, to the left, and remarked, Id sort of watch it, Ed. Its a little risky to go blabbing that Carl killed him unless you can prove it.
Well, he had fits. The razor was as sharp and slick as usual. What did he run for'
I couldnt say. But the cops are still poking around here, even an inspector.
Sure they are, theyre after evidence. You gotta have evidence.
Ed pulled the skin tight over the jawbone. For instance, they ask me did he show me anything or ask me anything about some article from the shop. I say he didnt. That would be evidence, see'
Yes, I get it. I could only mumble. What did he ask you'
Oh, all about me, name, married or single - you know, insurance men, income tax, they all ask the same things. But when he asked about last night I told him where to get off, but then I thought what the hell and told him. Why not'Thats my philosophy, Mr. Goodwin - why not'It saves trouble.
He was prying my chin up, doing the throat. That clean, I rolled my head to the right to turn the other cheek.
Of course, he
Similar Books
