by 12 Chinamen
Fenner moved slowly away from her. “You mustn't look at it like that,” he said seriously.
She suddenly laughed, but her eyes were serious. “I'll get you some breakfast. You'll find a razor in the bathroom.”
By the time he'd shaved his beard off, breakfast was on the table. He came and sat down. “Swell,” he said, looking at the food.
The dressing-gown he'd found in the cupboard must have belonged to Nightingale. It reached to his knees and pinched him across his shoulders.
Curly giggled at him. “You do look a scream.”
Fenner made short work of the food, and Curly had to go outside and fry him some more eggs. She said, “I guess you're mending fast.”
Fenner nodded. “I'm great. Tell me, baby, does Nightingale mean anything to you?”
She poured him out some more coffee. “He's a habit. I've been with him for a couple of years. He's kind to me and I guess he's crazy about me.” She shrugged. “You know how it is. I don't know anyone I like better, so I feel I may as well make him happy.”
Fenner nodded, sat back and lit a cigarette. “What's Thayler mean to you?”
Curly's face froze. The laughter went out of her eyes. “Once a dick, always a dick,” she said bitterly, getting to her feet. “I ain't talking shop with you, copper.”
“So you know that?”
Curly began to stack the plates. “We all know it.”
“Nightingale?”
“Sure.”
“But Nightingale pulled me out of that jam.”
“He owes Crotti something.” Curly took the plates away.
Fenner sat thinking. When she came back, he said, “Don't get that way, baby. You an' I could get places.”
Curly leaned over the table. Her face was hard and suspicious. “You're not getting anywhere with me on that line,” she said, “so forget it.”
Fenner said, “Sure, we'll forget it all.”
When she had shut herself in the bathroom, Nightingale came in. He stood looking at Fenner with a hard eye.
Fenner said, “Thanks, pal. I guess you got me out of a nasty jam.”
Nightingale didn't move. He said, “Now you're okay, you better dust. This burg's too small for you and Carlos.”
Fenner said, “You bet it is.”
“What sort of pull you got with Crotti, policeman?” Nightingale asked. “What's the idea?”
“Crotti has no use for Carlos. I'm gunning for that guy. This is the way Crotti wants it to go.”
Nightingale came further into the room. “You've gotta get out of town quick,” he said. “If Carlos knows that I've helped you, what do you think he'll do to me?”
Fenner's eyes were very intent as they watched Nightingale. I'm starting for Carlos. You better get yourself on the winning side.”
“Yeah. I'm on it already. You get outta here, or I'll help to run you out.” Nightingale was very serious and quiet.
Fenner knew it was no use talking to him. “Have it your own way,” he said.
Nightingale hesitated, took a .38 special from his pocket and put it on the table. “That's to see you out of town safe. Crotti did a lot for me. If you're still around by tonight, you better start shootin' when you see me—get the idea?”
He went out, closing the door gently behind him.
Fenner picked up the gun and held it loosely in his hand. “Well, well,” he said.
Curly came out of the bathroom. She saw the gun. “Nightingale been in?”
Fenner nodded absently.
“Friendly?”
“About the same as you.”
Curly grunted. “You ready to leave? I'm getting my car. I'll drop you anywhere.”
Fenner said, “Sure.” He was thinking. Then he looked at her. “Carlos is goin' to be washed up. You might like to talk now.”
Curly pursed her mouth. “Nuts,” she said. “Your clothes are in the cupboard. They'll do to get you to your hotel.” She went to the door. “I'll get the bus.”
Fenner dressed as quickly as he could. His clothes looked as though they'd been mixed up in a road smash. He didn't care. When he'd finished dressing, he went to the door and stepped into the passage. His intention was to meet Curly downstairs. He walked slowly to the head of the stairs. He found that he wasn't as tough as he thought. It was an effort to move, but he kept on. At the head of the stairs he paused. Curly was lying on the landing below.
Fenner stood very still, and stared. Then he pulled the gun from his hip pocket and went down the stairs cautiously. There was no one about. When he came nearer he could see the handle of a knife sticking out of her back. He stooped and turned her. Her head fell back, but she was still breathing.
It took a great effort for him to get her upstairs. She was heavy, and he was trembling by the time he got her on the bed. He put her down gently, then snatched up the telephone. Nightingale's number was on the address pad. He dialed, standing with his eyes on Curly.
Nightingale said primly, “This is the Funeral Parlor.”
Fenner said, “Come over here quick. They've got Curly.” He hung up and went over to the bed.
Curly opened her eyes. When she saw Fenner she held one of her hands out to him. “Serves me right for helping a dick,” she said faintly.
Fenner didn't dare pull the knife out. He held her so that she didn't have any weight on the handle. He said, “You take it easy, baby; I'm gettin' help.”
Curly twisted. “It's going to come a lot too late,” she said, then her face crumpled and she began to cry.
Fenner said, “Was it Carlos?”
Curly didn't say anything. Blood stained her chin.
Fenner said, “Give me a lead. Don't be a mug and let him get away with it. He'll only think you're a sucker.”
Curly said, “It was one of his Cubans. He jumped me before I could scream.”
Fenner saw she was going very white. He said quickly: “Why does Thayler carry your photo around with him? What's he to you?”
Curly whispered faintly, “He's my husband.” Then she began to bleed from her mouth. Fenner saw she was going fast. He put his hand round her back and pulled the knife out. Her eyelids fell back and she gave a little cry. Then she said, “That's a lot better.”
He laid her down on the bed. “I'll even this up for you. Carlos'll pay for this,” he said.
She sneered. “Okay, brave little man,” she whispered. “Fix Carlos if you like, but it won't do me any good.”
Fenner remembered seeing some Scotch, and he went over to the wall cupboard and poured out two fingers. He made her swallow it.
She gasped. “That's right. Keep me alive until I've told you all you want to know”—bitterly.
Fenner took her hands. “You can put a lot straight. Is Thayler in with Carlos?”
She hesitated, then moved her head a little. “He's in it all right,” she said faintly. “He's been a bad guy, and I don't owe him anything.”
“What's his angle?”
“Runs the labor syndicate.” She shut her eyes. Then she said, “Don't ask me anything else, will you? I'm frightened.”
Fenner felt completely helpless. Her skin now looked like waxed paper. Only a red bubble at her lips showed that she still lived. She opened her eyes once again and said with an effort, “God, that was the best thing that's happened to me in years. With you, I mean.” Then she shut her eyes.
Someone came blundering up the stairs. Fenner ran to the door. Nightingale came in. His face was glistening. He pushed past Fenner and ran across to the bed. He was too late. Curly had died just before he came in.
Fenner stepped outside the room and pulled the door to. As he walked quickly down the passage a low wail came from behind the door. It was Nightingale.
The manager of the Haworth Hotel came round the desk quickly when he saw Fenner. “What is all this?” he spluttered, his voice trembling with indignation. “What do you think this joint is?”
“Don't ask me,” Fenner said, pushing past him. “If it's a jo
int, where are the girls?”
The manager ran to keep up with him. “Mr. Ross, I insist! I cannot have these disturbances!”
Fenner paused. “What are you yapping about?”
“My people are afraid to go up on floor three. There's a rough hoodlum sitting up there, not letting anyone pass. I've threatened him with the police, but he says you told him td stick around. What does it mean?”
Fenner said, “Get my check ready. I'm moving out.” He went upstairs quickly, leaving the manager protesting. There was no sign of Bugsey when he reached his room, and he kicked open the door and went in.
Glorie was sitting up in bed and Bugsey was sitting close to her. They were playing cards. Bugsey wore a pair of white shorts and his hat. Sweat was running down his fat back.
Fenner stood still. “What's goin' on here?”
Glorie threw down her cards. “Where have you been?” she said. “What's happened to you?”
Fenner came in and shut the door. “Plenty,” he said. Then, turning to Bugsey, “What you think you're doing—a strip tease?”
Glorie said, “He was playing for my nightie, but I beat him to it.”
Bugsey grabbed his trousers. “You sure came in at the right moment,” he said feverishly. “That dame's a mean card player.”
Fenner wasn't in the mood for laughter. He said, “Get out quick and get a closed car. Park it at the rear of the building in a quarter of an hour.”
Bugsey struggled into his clothes. “Looks like someone's been pushin' you around.”
“Never mind about me,” Fenner said coldly; “this is urgent.”
Bugsey went out, pulling his coat on. Fenner said, “Can you get up, do you think?”
Glorie threw the sheet off and slid to the floor. “I only stayed in bed because it upset poor little Bugsey,” she said. “What's been happening?”
Fenner dug himself out a new suit and changed. “Don't stand there gaping,” he snapped. “Get dressed. We're moving out of this joint fast.”
When she got as far as her step-ins and brassiere she said, “Can't you tell me where you've been?”
Fenner was busy emptying the drawers into two grips. “I was taken for a ride by a gang of toughs. Just shaken 'em off.”
“Where are we going?”
Fenner said evenly, “We're goin' to stay with Noolen.”
Glorie shook her head. “I'm not,” she said.
Fenner finished strapping the grips and stood up. He took two quick steps across the room and put his hand on her wrist. “You're doing what I tell you,” he said.
“Not Noolen's.”
“That's what I said. I'm not standing for any comeback from you. You can walk, or I'll carry you.”
He went to the house phone and rang for his check. While waiting, he paced the room restlessly. Glorie sat on the bed, watching him with uneasy eyes. She said, “What are you starting?”
Fenner looked up. “Plenty,” he said. “This mob started on me, and now I'm finishing it. I'm not stopping until I've bust the mystery right outta this business and got that little punk Carlos so short he'll scream murder.”
The bell-hop brought in the check and Fenner settled. Then he picked up his grips in one hand and took Glorie by her elbow with the other. “Let's go,” he said, and together they went downstairs.
They found Bugsey sitting at the wheel of a big car. Bugsey was looking a little dazed, but he didn't say anything. Fenner climbed in behind Glorie. “Noolen's. Fast,” he said.
Bugsey twisted round in his seat. “Noolen's?” he said. “Why Noolen's? Listen, you don't want to go to that guy. He's the south end of a horse.”
Fenner leaned forward. “Noolen's,” he repeated, looking at Bugsey intently. “If you don't like it, get out an' I'll drive.”
Bugsey gaped from Fenner to Glorie. She said, “Go ahead, brave heart, this fella's making his orders stick.”
Bugsey said, “Oh, well,” and drove off.
Glorie sat in the corner of the car, a sulky expression on her face. Fenner stared over Bugsey's broad shoulders at the road ahead. They drove all the way to Noolen's in silence. When they swept up the short circular drive Glorie said, “I don't want to go in there.” She said it more in protest than in any hope of Fenner's agreeing. He swung open the door and got out.
“Come on, both of you,” he said impatiently.
It was half-past eleven o'clock as they walked into the deserted lobby of the Casino. In the main hall they found a Cuban in shirt-sleeves aimlessly pushing an electric cleaner about the floor. He looked up as they crossed towards him, and his mouth went a little slack. His eyes fastened on Glorie, who scowled at him.
“Noolen around?” Fenner said.
The Cuban pressed the thumb-switch on the cleaner and laid it down almost tenderly. “I'll see,” he said.
Fenner made a negative sign with his head. “You stay put,” he said shortly.
He cut across the hall in the direction of Noolen's office. The Cuban said, “Hey!” feebly, but he stayed where he was.
Glorie and Bugsey lagged along in the rear. Fenner pushed open the door of the office and stood looking in. Noolen was sitting at his desk. He was counting a large pile of greenbacks. When he saw Fenner his face went blotchy and he swept the greenbacks into a drawer.
Fenner walked in. “This is no hold-up,” he said shortly; “it's a council of war.”
He turned his head and said to Glorie and Bugsey, who hung about outside, “Come in, you two, and shut the door.”
Noolen sat very still behind his desk. When Glorie came in, he put his fingers to his collar and eased it from his neck. Glorie didn't look at him. She went over to a chair at the far end of the room and sat down. Bugsey shut the door and leaned against it. He, too, didn't look at Noolen. There was a strained tension in the room.
Noolen managed to say: “What the hell's this?”
Fenner took one of Noolen's green dapple cigars from the desk box, clamped his teeth on it and struck a match with his thumb-nail. He spent a long minute lighting the cigar evenly, then he tossed the match away and sat on the edge of the desk.
Noolen said, “You've got a lot of crust, Ross. I told you I wasn't interested in anything you've got to peddle. It still stands.”
Glorie said in a flat voice: “He isn't Ross. His name is Fenner and he's a private investigator, holding a license.”
Fenner turned his head and looked at her, but she was adjusting her skirt, a sulky, indifferent expression on her face.
Bugsey sucked in his breath. His gooseberry eyes popped. Noolen, who was reaching for a cigar when Glorie spoke, paused. His fat white hand hovered over the box like a seagull in flight, then he sat back, folding his hands on the blotter.
Fenner said, “If you were half alive, the news would have got round to you before.”
Noolen fidgeted with his hands. “Get out of here, he said thickly. “Private dicks are poison to me.”
“You and me've got a job to do,” Fenner said, looking at the fat man with intent eyes. “The law doesn't come into this.”
Noolen said viciously, “Get out!”
Without any effort, Fenner hit him on the side of his jaw. Noolen jerked back; his fat thighs, pinned under the desk, saved him from going over. Fenner slid off the desk, took four quick steps away and turned a little so that he could see the three of them.
Bugsey's hand was groping in his back pocket. His face showed the indecision that was bewildering him.
Fenner said, “Hold it. If you start somethin', I'll smack your ears for you.”
Bugsey took his hand away and transferred it to his head. He scratched his square dome violently. “I guess I'll scram,” he said.
“You'll stay if you're wise,” Fenner said evenly. “Carlos might be interested to know what you've been doing playin' around with a dick.”
Bugsey went a little green. “I didn't know you were a dick,” he said sullenly.
Fenner sneered. “Tell it to Carlos. You don't h
ave to tell it to me.”
Bugsey hesitated, then he slumped against the wall.
Fenner glanced at Noolen, who sat in a heap, rubbing his jaw. All the fight had gone out of him. “Okay,” he said. “Now maybe I can get down to things. You and me are goin' to run Carlos and his mob out of town. Bugsey here can either come in on our side, or go back to Carlos. I don't care a lot what he does. If he goes back he'll have a lot of explaining. If he sticks, he'll pick up five hundred bucks a week until the job's cleaned up.”
Bugsey's eyes brightened. “I'll stick for that amount,” he said.
Fenner felt in his wallet, took out a sheaf of notes, crumpled them into a ball and tossed them at Bugsey. “That's something to go on with,” he said.
Noolen watched all this in silence. Fenner came across and sat on the desk again. “How would you like to be the king-pin in this burg?” he said. “That's what you can be if you work with me.”
“How?” Noolen's voice was very husky.
“We'll get your little mob and me and Bugsey and we'll make the town very hot for Carlos. We'll hi-jack his boats, we'll sabotage his organization and we'll go gunning for him.”
Noolen shook his head. “No, we won't,” he said.
Fenner said evenly, “You yellow big shot! Still scared?”
“I've never worked with the cops an' I never will.”
“You don't understand. Four days ago, Carlos had me in his waterfront place. He made things pretty tough, but I got away. I'm making this a personal business. I'm not inviting the law to come along.”
Noolen shook his head. “I ain't playin'.”
Fenner laughed. “Okay, we'll make you play.”
He stood up. “You in this?” he said to Bugsey.
Bugsey nodded. “I'll hang around,” he said.
Fenner nodded to Glorie. “Come on, baby,” he said. “You, me an' Bugsey'll look after this until this punk decides to fight.”
Glorie got up. “I don't want to play either.”
Fenner showed his teeth. “What a shame,” he said, walking over to her and taking her arm. “But you're not Noolen; you'll do as you're told.”
Noolen said, “Leave her alone.”