right here, sugar. This is going to be something to put in your diary.”
The foot of the trolley bumped against swing-doors. The attendant gave it a hard push and
sent it forward to cannon against a wall.
I heard him say, “The guy who invented elevators was a public benefactor. Hop in, and I’ll
show you for why.”
Then there was silence. I lay there for a moment or so until I heard the elevator doors swish
to, then I pulled off the sheet and sat up.
The room was windowless, and in darkness, but the light from the passage, coming through
the crack in the swing-doors, was enough for me to get a vague idea of the set-up. There were
a number of trolleys covered with sheets standing against the walls. An overpowering smell
of formaldehyde filled the air, and it was cold.
I slid off the trolley, again nearly forgetting my hat. I put it on. As my eyes became used to
the semi-darkness, I spotted a door across the far end of the room. Faint daylight came from
under it.
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I went over to it, turned the handle and opened it a couple of inches. I looked into a narrow
alley. Two big white motor ambulances were parked out there. The light was beginning to
fade now, but it was still too light to be safe.
I opened the door and looked up the alley. Iron gates stood open at the far end. Beyond
them I could see a main street. There was no one guarding the gates.
I started off down the alley towards the street. I had no idea where I was going or what I
was going to do. I hadn’t any money. There was nothing in my pockets, not even a handkerchief. But I didn’t care. At least I was getting away from Riskin, the hospital and Ricca. That
would do to get on with.
V
A big yellow moon threw amber light over the sea. There was a car parked on the sand, its
lights out. The man and the girl, on either side of the car, began to undress. I was near enough
to hear their voices, but not what they were saying.
This part of the beach was lonely and deserted but for these two and the car. I had lain
hidden in the mangroves for the past three hours, then suddenly the car had arrived. It came
just when I was giving up hope.
I watched the two of them run down to the sea and splash in. As soon as they were
swimming I moved out of my hiding-place and headed for the car. I found his coat. My
fingers closed around a wallet in his inside pocket. I hauled it out, and went around to the
back of the car where they couldn’t see me if they looked this way. The wallet was stuffed
with money. I could scarcely believe my luck. I took a hundred and fifty dollars in small bills.
That still left him enough to buy her a slap-up supper. I slid the wallet into the pocket and
tossed the coat into the car, then I ran back to the darkness of the mangroves.
During the three hours I had remained hidden I had made a plan. Riskin would expect me
to clear out of Miami as fast as I could. I had told him I had a talent for hitch-hiking. He’d
probably cover every truck and car going out of town, and watch every road. I had decided
my safest bet was to remain in Miami, and hole up somewhere. I had to find myself a quiet
hotel, spin them a yarn I was waiting for my baggage, and hope they’d give me a room.
There should be dozens of suitable hotels if I could only find them. I’d have to be careful.
My description was bound to be out now, and every patrolman would be looking for me:
Ricca would probably be looking for me too.
I started off towards the bright lights of the waterfront. I moved slowly. I was tired. I had
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walked miles since I had left the hospital. My head ached too. While I had been hiding I had
taken off the bandages. They had shaved my head, but from the feel of it the wound was
