Miss Shumway Waves a Wand

by James Hadley Chase

  I hastily averted my eyes. “You’re not a sight for anyone to pass up,” I said feebly.

  “But… you’re me!” Myra exclaimed, looking stunned. “Of course, I am,” Arym said. “At least, we share the same body.”

  Myra put her hands to her face. “This is awful,” she said, “what am I going to do?”

  “It’s all right once you get used to it,” Arym returned with a giggle. “Every one has two sides to their natures.”

  “I know,” I put in, “but they don’t have two bodies. This is driving me batty.”

  “Oh, that’s Quintl,” Arym went on, “he had a swell sense of humour. In a way, it’s been a good thing. I’ve got tired of sharing a body with someone else It’s nice to have one of my own.”

  Myra came over and clutched at me. I put my arm around her. “Take it easy,” I said. “We’ll wake up in a minute and find this is just another nightmare.”

  “Oh no, you won’t,” Arym said. “Why don’t you get wise? I’m just part of you and I’ve decided to leave you.”

  Myra looked at her fixedly. “You’re bad,” she said quietly. “I can see you’re bad.”

  “What of it?” Arym said, shrugging. “We can’t all be good, besides no one would be interesting if they didn’t have a little bad in them. Think how prissy you’re going to be now that I’ve left you.”

  “So you’re the one who’s been making a mess of my life,” Myra said, stepping away from me and confronting Arym.

  “It’s been mighty hard work. I tell you, it’s quite a relief to get away from you for a while.”

  “You’ll never get back again,” Myra said. “So don’t you think you will.”

  “If I want to, I shall,” Arym returned, wandering over to the bed and sitting down. “You can’t get along without me.”

  “Yes, I can… and I’m going to.”

  “How do you think you’ll live?” Arym scoffed. “I made all your money by stealing it. Remember Joe Krum? What a time I bad to get you to break the ice!”

  Myra flushed scarlet. “Oh, I wish I’d never listened to you.”

  “You’ve got quite a strong character really,” Arym admitted reluctantly.

  “You won’t need to worry about my character now,” Myra said grimly. “I’ve got you out of my system, and this time I’m keeping you out.”

  Arym shrugged, “I don’t want to come back,” she said. “You don’t have to get so worked up. I don’t think it would be safe any more. In fact, I’m certain it wouldn’t be,” and she laughed.

  Myra stared at her. “What do you mean by that?” she demanded.

  “If it wasn’t for that silly little man, I suppose I wouldn’t have left you for good. I think I was getting the upper hand of you although it was a tough struggle. But be had to interfere and so I had to kill him. You see Peppi says they’ll put me in the chair if they catch me. He’s going to hide me until they find you. They think you killed him, so when they’ve dealt with you, I’ll be able to start all over again.”

  Myra suddenly saw what a jam she was in and looked desperately at me.

  “If I could only get this handcuff off,” I said, jerking furiously at the chain, “I’d know what to do.”

  “There’s nothing you can do,” Arym said, curling up her long bare legs under her. “This is the proverbial struggle between good and bad. I’ve tried to get along with Myra, but it’s been too uphill. Why should a girl with such a nice body and looks lead such a dreary life as she makes me lead? I’m sick of it. Since she met you, she hasn’t stolen a thing. How does she expect us to live? Why, had to leave her to get alter that reward. She wouldn’t have bothered about it. Now, I’ve salted it away where no one can find it,” and her eyes lit up at the thought. She put her arms behind her and leaned back. I don’t want to stress the point, but that dame would certainly have made Petty a swell model. “Are you still going to marry me like you said, when all this is over?” she went on looking at me with an arch smile.

  “I’ll have you understand he loves me, you horrid little hooker!” Myra broke in before I could say anything.

  “That’s what you think,” Arym said, waving her away. “But he’s actually proposed to me. Haven’t you, darling?”

  I didn’t know what to say.

  “That settles it,” Myra said grimly. “I won’t let you get your claws into him. You’ve talked too much already. I’m going to take you to the police. They can choose between us.”

  Arym looked alarmed, “Oh no, you’re not,” she said, sliding off the bed. “That wouldn’t do at all,” and she made for the door.

  “Don’t let her get away,” I shouted, trying to reach her.

  Myra made a dash towards her, but Arym was too quick. As she opened the door, Lew came bounding in.

  Then things happened. I kicked over the table in front of Lew. Aryrn disappeared out of the room, slamming the door behind her and Myra suddenly swooped up to the ceiling.

  As the table went over, the man-trap apparatus crashed on the floor. The fall set the mechanism working; there was a whirr of wheels and the handcuff clicked open. I just managed to get it off my wrist as Lew came at me.

  I stopped a punch on the side of my head that made my teeth rattle, but I managed to slow him down with a counter to his belly.

  He stepped back and Myra grabbed his hair. She twined her fingers almost lovingly in his locks and pulled.

  I thought he was going out of his mind. He looked right and left and then behind him. He couldn’t see anything because Myra was above him. While he was occupied, I stepped in and hit him pretty well where I liked. I remembered Whisky, so I let him have it. He tried to back away, but Myra, exerting all her strength clung to him like a leech. Then he looked up and saw her. He could only gape in horror and I had no difficulty in hanging a punch on his jaw that came up from my ankles.

  He gave a tired little smile and folded up on the floor.

  “Very nice work,” I said, blowing on my knuckles. “And now let’s get out of this fast.”

  I reached up to take Myra’s hand and I pulled her gently to the floor. She was as light as a thistle down and I had difficulty in keeping her by my side.

  “She’s gotten away,” she said desperately, holding on to me, her feet a few inches off the floor.

  “Never mind that,” I said, “at least, I’ve got you and that’s something.” As I moved to the door I heard the sound of heavy footsteps pounding up the stairs.

  “The window,” Myra said. “Quick!”

  I let her go and dashed to the window. As soon as I released her, she shot up in the air and banged against the ceiling.

  “Oath!” she exclaimed from up there. “That hurt!”

  I didn’t pay any attention. I was leaning out and looking down into the street. It was a long drop and we’d only break our necks if we went that way.

  “It’s too high!” I said, coming away from the window. “What the hell are we going to do now?”

  Myra floated down and drifted out of the window. She hung suspended just outside. It was an unnerving sight to see her standing calmly on nothing thirty feet or so above ground.

  Already a number of people had stopped and were staring up at her. Several were clutching each other and one fat woman began running madly down the street, screaming like a train whistle.

  “Don’t stand there,” she said impatiently. “Give me your hand. I won’t let you fall.”

  “What? You want me…” Then I heard the door crash open behind me and Myra grabbed me.

  I don’t mind admitting that I shut my eyes as I stepped into space. But she had no difficulty in keeping me from falling. I felt a rushing sensation and I opened my eyes timidly.

  We had flashed over some buildings, leaving Waxey’s dive far behind.

  “Do you like it?” Myra asked, holding my hand firmly and smiling at me.

  “Only because I trust you,” I said, taking a firmer grip on her. “Otherwise, I’d just go crazy at the thought.”


  We swooped over a crowded street. I noticed a loiterer below. He glanced up casually, stiffened and then hid his face in his hands. I guess that guy would go off liquor for the rest of his days.

  “Pick a quiet spot and let’s get down,” I said. “We’ll start a riot in a minute.”

  We circled some buildings, spotted a deserted alley and floated gently to the ground. As we recovered our balance, we noticed an old man standing in a doorway staring at us with fixed concentration.

  “Do you do that often?” he quavered, plucking nervously at his beard.

  “It only happens when we’re a bit light-headed,” I returned, dusting myself down. “Think nothing of it.”

  “I wish I could,” the old man said, wistfully. “It’ll haunt me for the rest of my days.”

  “That won’t be long,” I said, kindly, “so it won’t be hard to bear.”

  “Don’t tease him,” Myra said. “He looks as if he’s been through rather a strain.”

  “I have, lady,” the old man said eagerly. “The trouble is no one will believe me,” and he went into his house and shut the door.

  “Phew!” I said. “We’re lucky to get out of that.”

  Myra suddenly faced me. “Did you really propose to that blonde?” she said, looking at me accusingly.

  “But, darling,” I said hastily, “I thought it was you. There was a look in her eyes and…”

  “You mean, I haven’t encouraged you?” Myra said seriously. “I suppose I haven’t,” and she reached up and kissed me.

  “The proposal still stands,” I said, a few minutes later. “Will you consider it?”

  “I will,” she said. “And now I want some undies. Will you take me somewhere where I can buy them?”

  “We’ve got to be quick,” I said. “If the cops…”

  “I can’t go around like this,” Myra said firmly. “We’ve just got to take a chance.”

  At the end of the alley, I spotted a taxi and I waved. Just as we go in, Whisky came bounding up. He scrambled in as we drove off.

  Chapter SEVENTENN

  “WHERE to, boss?” the driver asked, as soon as we had settled down.

  “Keep driving,” I returned, shoving Whisky’s foot out of my chest. “I’ll tell you when I’ve had time to think.”

  Myra and Whisky were making a great fuss over each other, and I had to tell Whisky that when I wanted his tongue over my face I’d let him know.

  “It’s certainly nice to see you again,” Whisky said, panting with excitement. “I’d given you both up for lost.”

  “We’d given ourselves up for lost,” I said, taking Myra’s hand. “It’s a good thing you learned to float, sugar.”

  “You know, I just can’t help it,” Myra said apologetically. “But I must get some undies. I just haven’t any confidence without them.”

  “What have you done with them?” Whisky asked, pricking up his ears.

  “Don’t tell him,” I pleaded. “It’ll take too long. Never mind about your undies. The cops are looking for you. They’ve only to hear I’ve been seen with a blonde and a dog and they’ll come after us like bats out of hell.”

  “Very well,” Myra said, settling back. “But you’ve no idea how it preys on my mind.”

  “The point to concentrate on is where do we go from here?” I said.

  “That, I think, is for you to decide,” Myra said, slipping her hand into mine. “I’ll go where you say.”

  “I’ve got to put you in some place where the cops won’t find you. Then I’ve got to get hold of Arym.”

  “Who’s Arym?” Myra asked, puzzled.

  “Your other self, my pet,” I said lightly. “That’s what she calls herself. If I get her, then you’ll be in the clear.”

  “But how are you going to do that?”

  “I don’t know. I’m not even going to think about it. I must first find a hide-out for you.” Then I remembered Harriet. “I know,” I said, and leaning forward I told the driver to stop at the first public telephone.

  “This do you?” he asked, cutting across the traffic and drawing up outside a drug store.

  “Yeah,” I said, then to Myra, “wait here, I’ve got to ‘phone.”

  I found there was only one telephone booth when I got into the drug store and some dame was using it.

  I went over to the soda-jerker behind the counter. “Is that lady going to be long?” I asked.

  “I’ve got a taxi outside and I’m in a hurry.”

  He shook his head. “She’s about through,” he said. “Anyway, I figure it that way. She’s been in there since noon and she must have used up most of the air in that little booth by now.

  I thanked him. He had a pretty good grip on his business because the woman suddenly hung up and stepped out of the booth. She nodded to the soda-jerker and went out into the Street.

  “What they find to talk about,” he began, leaning on the counter, but I didn’t wait to hear any more. I shut myself in with the telephone and put a call through to the Recorder.

  Harriet was tied up with Mr. Maddox, I was told.

  “Well, can’t you send someone in to cut her loose?” I demanded. “This is important.”

  “How important would you say?” the switchboard girl asked. She didn’t sound impressed.

  “Her apartment’s on fire and her old man’s trapped up on the roof,” I lied. “If that’s important to you, I guess you might do something about it.”

  “I can’t interrupt Mr. Maddox for that,” she replied. “How long has he been upon the roof?”

  I would have liked to have been right behind that baby. I’d have surprised her.

  “Look,” I said. “It doesn’t matter how long he’s been up there. The point is the place is on fire and he gets dizzy when he’s high up. He wants to see his daughter before anything happens to him.”

  “Well, I’ll tell her when she’s through with Mr. Maddox,” the girl replied curtly and rang off.

  Maybe she didn’t believe me.

  I had to leave the booth to get some change and when I got back some guy was entering the booth.

  “Look, mister,” I pleaded. “I’ve got a priority. Would you mind giving way to me?”

  He shook his head. “I’ve got a priority too,” he said. “My wife’s apartment’s on fire…”

  “I know and she’s up on the roof,” I skid, in disgust.

  He looked at me sharply. “I wonder how you knew that,” he returned, then he suddenly shrugged. “Well, hell I’ll wait. There’s plenty for her to look at up there.”

  I thanked him and got back to the Recorder. “If you don’t put me through to Miss Halliday,” I said when I got the operator, “I’ll fix you good some dark night.”

  “Let’s make a date,” she replied promptly. “The trouble is the nights are never dark enough these days.”

  “How can they be?” I said, wanting to strangle her. “Well, you know what I mean. How dark does it have to be?”

  “I don’t know and I don’t care. I’ll just choose the first dark night that comes along,” I said, snarling.

  “I can’t do business on those lines,” she replied, giggling. “I like something definite. How about to-night? To-morrow there’s a new moon and it’ll be too light for fixing.”

  Something jogged my memory. “New moon?” I repeated. “Did you say there’ll be a new moon to-morrow?”

  “Sure, I have to watch little things like that. They make an awful difference in a girl’s life.”

  “Never mind about your life,” I said quickly. “What’s the date?”

  “July 31,” she replied. “Have you been shipwrecked or something?”

  I nearly dropped the receiver. The end of the month. I remembered what Doc Ansell had said. Myra would lose her influence at the end of the month when the moon changed. I looked hurriedly at the clock on the wall. It was just five-fifteen. I had only seven hours to get everything fixed up.

  “Hello… hello… hello?” the gir
l said. “Are you still there?”

  “I think so,” I said cautiously. “Will you see how Miss Halliday’s getting on?”

  “How about that date?”

  “Sure, make it to-night. I’ll pick you up.”

  “But how shall I know you?”

  “Who, me? You’ll know me all right. I’ll be wearing a Zoot suit and I carry my left leg over my right shoulder. No one’s mistaken me yet.”

  There was a moment’s silence. “Can’t you do anything about that left leg?” she asked at last.

  “I can leave it at home.”

  “Couldn’t you be a little rough with it for to-night?” she asked hopefully. “I’d stand the Zoot suit but the leg gets me down.”

  “That’s the idea,” I pointed out.

  She thought about this for a moment. “It’s a date,” she said briskly. “Miss Halliday’s free now. I’m putting you thr—r—r—ough.”

  Harriet was all brains. I didn’t have to go into details. She got what I wanted almost before I had started. She told me where her apartment was and how to get in and she promised to be back early. I thanked her and rang off. I felt I’d lost ten pounds by the time I got out of the booth. I collided with the guy waiting to put through his call. He apologized.

  “Excuse me, pal,” he said. “Can you remember what I wanted to telephone about?” I told him.

  “That’s right,” he said. “I’ve got the darnedest memory. Do you know I just can’t remember whether the fire was to-day or last week. Ain’t that a hell of a thing?”

  I shoved past him and went out into the street.

  I found Whisky lying on the floor of the taxi, but Myra wasn’t there.

  “Where is she?” I demanded.

  “Get inside,” Whisky said. “Where have you been?” The urgency in his voice startled me, so I got into the cab and shut the door.

  “What’s the matter?” I asked.

  “How much longer are you keeping me here?” the driver asked angrily. “I’ve got a home if you haven’t.”

  Whisky showed his teeth. “Sit there and like it,” he snarled. The driver got out of his cab hastily. “Come on, legs,” he said, clutching at his collar. “I’m going to start running.”