black hair, she knotted it under her chin and took a step toward the areaway.
'Good-bye, Toddy Kent.'
'Now, wait a minute…'
'Yes?'
'I didn't say I wouldn't go,' said Toddy. 'I just-Oh, hell!' He wobbled a little as he lurched to his feet, and she moved swiftly to him. He caught her by the shoulders, his hands sinking into the soft flesh with unconscious firmness.
'Look-' He hesitated. 'Give me the lowdown. What had I better do?'
'I am here to take you to Alvarado.'
'But should I-?'
'Suppose I said no; that you should remain in Mexico.'
'Are you telling me that?'
'Suppose I did so advise you,' Dolores continued, looking at him steadily, 'and you decided to do the opposite- and repeated my advice to Alvarado?'
'Why would I do that?'
'You have no reason to trust me. In fact, you have made it very plain that you do not trust me. Why shouldn't you tell Alvarado? Particularly, if it appeared that by doing so you would help yourself?'
Toddy reddened uncomfortably and released his grip. The girl stepped away from him.
'I guess,' he said, 'I can't blame you for thinking that.'
'No.'
'But you're wrong. If I'd wanted to get you in trouble, I could have told Alvarado about- well…'
'-my warning to you last night? Perhaps you did, after you left the house.'
Toddy gave up. She was dead right about one thing. He didn't trust her, even though something had impelled him to for a minute. Perhaps she didn't know what Alvarado wanted. Or perhaps she did. He'd never take her word for it, regardless of the situation. Whatever she advised him to do, he'd be inclined to do the opposite.
'Where's my coat?' he said shortly. 'Let's get out of here.'
'You are going with me?'
'I don't know. Maybe a drink will help me to make up my mind.'
…They went out the same way Toddy had come in, squeezing past the crowded racks of trinkets and curios. The little man who had slugged Toddy was nowhere in view. The fat woman was still seated near the doorway on her camp stool. 'Nice bo'l of perfume for lady?' she beamed. 'Nice wallet for gen'leman?' Toddy started to scowl, but something about her expression of bland good-natured innocence made his lips tug upward. He gave her a cynical wink, and followed Dolores out the door.
It seemed like days had passed since he had arrived in Tijuana that morning, but the clock in the bar indicated the hour as five minutes of two. Seated in a rear booth, Toddy drank a double tequila sunrise and ordered another. He took a sip of it and looked across the table at the girl.
'Well,' he said. 'I've made up my mind.'
'I see.'
'I'm not going with you. I'll lay low here for a few days. Then I'll beat it back across the border and-' Toddy broke off abruptly, and again raised his glass. Over its rim, he saw the faint gleam of amusement in Dolores' eyes.
'On second thought,' she said, 'you will head south into Mexico. That is right?'
'Maybe,' said Toddy. 'Maybe not.'
'I understand. It is best to keep your plans to yourself. Now, I must be going.'
She slid toward the edge of the booth, hesitated as though on the point of saying something, then stood up. Toddy got up awkwardly, also. On an impulse, as her lips framed a mechanical good-bye, he held out his hand.
'I'm sorry about last night,' he said. 'I don't know where you fit into this deal, but I think you're playing it as square as you can.'
'Thank you.' She did not touch his hand. 'And I think you also are as-as square-as you can be. Now I would like to tell you something. Something for your own good.'
'I'm waiting.'
'Wash your face. It is dirty.'
She was gone, then, her body very erect, her high heels clicking uncompromisingly across the wooden floor. Toddy stared after her until he saw the bartender watching him. Then he shook his head vaguely, ran a hand over his jaw, and headed for the men's restroom.
It was at the rear end of the room, a partitioned-off enclosure inadequately ventilated by a small high window opening on the alley; a typical Tijuana bar 'gents' room.' There was a long yellowish urinal, and two cabinet toilets, flushed by old-fashioned water chambers placed near the ceiling. Adjacent to the two chipped- enamel sinks was a wooden table, supporting a sparse assortment of toilet articles and an elaborate display of pornographic booklets, postal cards, prophylactics and 'rubber goods.'
'Yessir, mister'-the young Mexican attendant came briskly to attention-'you in right place, mister. We got just what you-'
'What I want,' said Toddy, 'is some soap.' And he helped himself from the table.
He turned on both water taps, scrubbed his hands, then lathered them again and scoured vigorously at his face. He rinsed off the soap and doused his head. Eyes squinted, he turned away from the sink and accepted the towel that was thrust into his hands.
'Thanks, pal.' He dried his face and opened his eyes. 'Don't mention it,' burbled Shake.
'And keep your hands out o' your pockets,' gritted Donald.
19
Toddy did not need the last bit of advice. One swift glance at the hideously scratched mugs of the pair told him they would kill him on the slightest pretext. Kill him and worry about the outcome later. Fury had made them brave.
Shake was holding a blackjack-upswung, ready to strike. Donald had the Mexican attendant backed against the wall, the point of his knife pressing against his throat. The door of the restroom was barred.
'Just don't try nothin',' murmured Shake. 'Jus' don't try nothin' at all. You get past us, which you ain't goin' to do, I got two of my
'Someone'll be coming back here.' Toddy's voice sounded strange in his ears. 'You can't keep that door barred.'
'I c'n keep it barred long enough. Turn around.'
'You tailed me down here?'
'What does it look like? Turn around!'
The blackjack came down sickeningly on Toddy's shoulder. He turned.
Shake slapped his pockets expertly, located his wallet, and extricated it with a satisfied grunt. There was a moment's silence, another grunt, and another command to 'Turn around.'
Toddy turned.
'What you doin' here?' Shake demanded. 'What's the deal?'
'Deal?'
Donald ripped out a curse. 'Let him have it, Shake. We can't wait here all day.'
'No one's tryin' to bust in,' Shake pointed out, his eyes fixed on Toddy. 'I asked you what the deal was?'
Toddy licked his lips, wordlessly. Helplessly. The blackjack began to descend.
