He put his hand under her ear. Her breathing quickened. “Sam’s o.k.,” he said, “but he’s forty years older than you are. That isn’t a natural state of affairs. You’re a hell of a woman, and I know you’ve got the usual female juices.”
“Which may or may not be flowing now, Mike,” she said quietly. “What kind of deal are we really talking about?”
He moved closer. His hand started slowly down her side.
“I want you to give me Boots,” he said. “Back off when the bill goes through, and let me find out what Boots has been doing the last couple of days. I don’t have to put him in jail. I just want a small conviction so they won’t give him one of the casinos. I don’t want him in Miami.”
“Sam doesn’t like him, either. He might agree to-Mike, please stop. You broke the lock and there’s no way of locking the door. And even if there was-”
“This is the best way to negotiate,” he said, continuing to move his hand. “It’s more friendly.”
Both his arms were around her now. She shivered.
“Mike, I’m thinking about votes and money and how to apply pressure. I’m too keyed up.”
“So I notice.”
She twisted away and said shakily, “I don’t know if that’s the pot talking or what. You’re a lovely man, but let’s stick to the big questions for tonight, o.k.?”
“O.k. I had something else I wanted to ask you.” He reflected. “Can’t remember it now.”
“You’d better talk to Sam. I’ll get him.”
“I’d rather talk to you. Sam’s not a girl.”
“But he’s the one who signs the checks. Do you want another joint?”
Shayne relaxed against the pillows. “I think I’m about ready for a large brandy.”
“Coming up.”
She turned back at the door. “Did I hear you say something about some girl with a gun?”
“It’s all right, I took it away. There are too many loose guns in this country. Her name’s Anne something. If you see her tell her I’m harmless, just trying to get along, like everybody.”
“I wouldn’t say you’re exactly harmless. I’ll be back.”
She left the candle. The instant the door closed Shayne was off the bed, moving fast. He wrenched the heavy dresser around and jammed it against the door. Using his flashlight, he searched the room, concentrating on places where a small tape recorder could be hidden. He turned the furniture over, examined the bed frame and the curtain rod and looked for breaks in the molding or loose floorboards. He unscrewed the face plate of the single electric outlet.
Finding nothing, he doused the light and blew out the candle. He slid the screen out of the window, and swinging quietly onto the shed-roof, moved to the next window. He was inside by the time he heard Sam’s people trying to break into the room he had just left.
CHAPTER 7
The bed was still being used.
Shayne listened at the door, then opened it a crack. Seeing a man lounging in the next doorway, he latched the door again silently and turned the key.
The girl in the bed had seen him in the sliver of light. “Why don’t you join us, dear?” she said matter-of- factly.
Shayne was quiet, hoping she would think he had disappeared.
“I know you’re still there,” she said. “Come on, I think my date had too much to drink.”
“I’m just passing through,” Shayne said. “I’ll be leaving in a minute.”
The girl giggled. Shayne moved away from the door.
He heard more footsteps in the next bedroom. A voice called from the window, “See anybody down there?”
“Not yet,” a voice answered cautiously from below.
A match flared in front of Shayne. The girl who was holding up the match to inspect him had a shock of long, untidy red hair which partially concealed her face. Her body was showing, however. Shayne gave her a half- salute.
“Grover asked me to look around and make sure everything’s satisfactory.”
She peered past the little flame. “It’s not too satisfactory up here. I didn’t see you downstairs.”
“I just came. Watch out, you’ll burn yourself.”
She shook out the match and took one more step, which brought her into contact with Shayne.
“I didn’t mean that about joining us-I was trying to be cool. I thought you were some kind of peeping tom. What’s the trouble next door?”
“One of the girls stole a wedding ring. We can’t let that happen.”
“Heaven forbid.” She took hold of Shayne with both hands. “And you’re a goddamn liar, because I wasn’t so busy I didn’t see you climb in the window. Listen, I’ve got a good idea.”
She explained it briefly, without relinquishing her grip on his arms.
“That sounds very interesting,” Shayne said, “but I’ve got to be moving. A lot to do.”
“I don’t think you work for Grover. I think you’re a prowler. I think I’ll scream.”
As she sucked in her breath, her breasts touched him in the darkness. He found her mouth and kissed her.
“Don’t scream. You’ll spoil the party.”
“Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. Tell me again who you are, and this time make it convincing.”
“I’m doing free-lance research for the Drew Pearson column,” Shayne said. “If you’re really interested I’ll show you my credentials. Who’s in the bed?”
“The Honorable Sig Olsen from Balmain County,” a voice announced, “and I’m not as comatose as some people seem to think. I’m resting, had a hard day. Come on back. Count to three. One, two-”
“Right away, honey,” she said, still holding Shayne’s arms. “We don’t want an audience. I’ll get rid of this guy first.”
“I’ll start over. One, two-”
“I think he’s serious,” Shayne said.
“So am I,” the girl said. Coming up on tiptoe, she bit him on the neck. “I’m so turned on it isn’t funny. He sounds o.k., but he’s gone. All he can do is talk.”
After a pause the voice from the bed said, “What comes after two?”
The girl whispered in Shayne’s ear, “You’re on the wrong side, aren’t you, Buster? Whoever you are. Be nice to me or so help me I’ll start yelling. And which would be worse?”
Shayne heard footsteps on the balcony, and Lib’s voice: “He’s still somewhere in the house.”
The girl went on, “If they knock I’ll tell them we’re busy.”
“One, two-” the man in the bed said sleepily.
“What I mean is,” the girl said, “do you have any choice?”
Some time later, leaving the girl asleep, Shayne went to the window. Something moved in the shadows below, and he saw the eye of a cigarette.
Going to the door he unlocked it and checked the balcony. It seemed to be empty. After waiting a moment he eased out.
The party was beginning to pick up momentum. Four men, including one of the power company repairmen, were singing barbershop harmony. On the other side of the main room Shayne saw Grover Kendrick sprawled on one of the wicker sofas, his head in a girl’s lap. With his flashlight, Shayne picked at Grover’s eyes until Grover turned his head and saw him. Shayne pointed toward the porch.
At the foot of the stairs, Shayne was hailed by Matt McGranahan. The senator was redder in the face than usual, and his cheeks seemed plumper. He needed something to hold onto, and he used Shayne.
“Isn’t it a fine party, Mike? It’s like the old days.
