With a quick smile she climbed into the taxi, and I stood there and let her go.
From across the street, Earl Katz suddenly stepped from a doorway. He looked across at me, tossed a cigarette butt in my direction, and then walked slowly in the same direction as Mardi's taxi had gone.
CHAPTER FIVE
I DIDN'T GET OFF to the Hotcha Club until late. After Mardi had left me, and Katz had made his unexpected appearance, I had a wander round and had a little brain exercise. It didn't get me anywhere, but I did think maybe I'd wait a little while before exposing my hand to Spencer. Having a living to earn, I attended a ball game, went home and wrote it up, mailed it to a sports paper that took my stuff, and went out to dinner.
By the time I got through it was getting on for ten o'clock. It was a hot night, with stars and a big moon. I thought I'd go along and see if I could have a look at Vessi's moll.
The Hotcha Club was one of those swell dives that look good but are pretty rank when you examine them close. I got a table in a corner, ordered a big rye high-ball, and passed the time with a newspaper.
The place was pretty crowded, and the dames were not all they should be. I had a little trouble with two of them, but when they saw I wasn't playing they gave me the air. I sat around for a half an hour, but as I didn't see anyone who really got me interested, I began to wonder what the hell I was doing there.
Finally, I gave the waiter the high sign that brought him over. He was a tall, miserable-looking guy with big, watery eyes and a blue chin.
I took a fin from my vest-pocket and began to play with it. His eyes fixed on it with interest.
“Listen, Buddy,” I said, “I'm looking for a dame who comes in here pretty often. Maybe you can tell me where I can find her.”
With his eyes still fixed on the note, he said, “Sure... who is she?”
“She's called Blondie,” I said, “an' she works a beat somewhere around.”
An oily smile settled on his face. I could see this was a pushover for him. “Sure,” he said, “I know her all right. She's been in. I guess she's workin' right now.”
I pushed the fin over to him and he gathered it up mighty quick. “Where do I find her?” I asked.
“Corner of 10th.”
I got to my feet. “Thanks, pal,” I said.
He shrugged. “She's a great dame,” he said, collecting my glass.
I paused. “So I've heard,” I said. “This is my first trip. Shall I find her easily?”
“Sure,” he said, “you'll find her. A tall dame in black.” He grinned a little. “Blondie's tough when she likes to be.”
I went out into the street. A tall dame in black. A feeling of excitement surged through me. I wouldn't let my mind think for the moment. I'd wait and see this dame for myself.
The corner of 10th was deserted when I arrived. The whole street was in semi-gloom. The street lights were widely spaced and none of the shops carried lights. I thought it was a pretty poor place to find trade, but maybe she knew her job better than I did.
I stood on the corner and lit a cigarette. I stood there for five minutes. I knew it was five minutes because I was so fidgety that I kept my eyes constantly on my watch.
Then, just when I was losing patience, she came out of the gloom. I heard the slow click of wooden heels some time before I saw her and I stiffened, throwing my cigarette into the gutter. Dimly I could see her, moving deliberately towards me, a tall, shadowy figure in black.
I half-turned towards her, so that she could have no mistake as to my intentions. I watched the white blur that was her face eagerly for the first glimpse of her features.
She saw me waiting there, and her step slowed. One hand went to her hip, and she put on a slight sway as she dawdled towards me.
When she was close, I smelt her. The same heady scent that I had smelt in my bedroom. I felt grimly elated; so this was the dame who'd lifted five grand off me.
“Hello,” she said, stopping at my elbow. She was nearly as tall as I was, and her big black hat screened her face. I could just make out her rather pointed chin and the sparkle in her eyes.
I said, “Hello, good-lookin', how's tricks?”
She gave that throaty, purring laugh that Mae West had made popular. “Are you coming home with me, darlin'?” she said, putting one gloved hand on my sleeve.
I grinned to myself. You bet I was going home with this floozie, and she was going to get a hell of a surprise when we got there.
“Sure,” I said, “I've been lookin' for a baby like you all the evenin'.”
“Have you, darlin'?” She laughed again. I wished she'd lay off the 'darlin'' for a bit. I told myself she'd be calling me something different mighty soon. “Well, you've found a real bad girl....”
I said, “Let's go....”
“It's just here,” she said, waving her hand towards the end of the street.
We walked down the street, and she was the first dame I'd walked out with who kept in step. I said, for something to say, “That perfume you wear sure knocks me.”
