Free Eve by James Hadley Chase Page A

mind,” I said. “But dealing so intimately with a woman of that reputation is a little tricky.”
    A flicker of a smile appeared in Gold’s eyes. I had an uncomfortable feeling that he saw through me. “Then you’ll do it?” he said, raising his eyebrows.
    “Yes, as a business proposition, I’ll do it,” I said. “But I don’t want to waste my time unless I receive some kind of compensation.”
    “Tell me the story in a few words.”
    I thought for a moment. “This will be the story of a successful wanton who preys on men. I will handle all the background stuff of her relations with men so that Hays won’t kill it. The only thing we need really stress is that she takes money and presents from men who are infatuated with her. Then an entirely different type of man comes into her life, and this is where the drama really begins. At first, like the other men, he falls for her, but as he gets to know her, he realizes what a cheat she is and decides to play her at her own game. He does and he beats her in the end. Then tired of the game, he leaves her and goes off to hunt elsewhere. I see it as a Scarlet O’Hara and Reith Butler set-up.”
    “And you really think it will work out that way?” Gold asked, pointedly disbelieving.
    “Certainly. It’s a question of the stronger will.”
    Gold shook his head. “Providing your woman is as bad as the one you have described, I am sure it will not work out that way.”
    “Well, let us experiment and see. As you say, whatever the result, it should make an interesting script.”
    Gold brooded. “Yes, I think it will. All right, do it. I will pay you two thousand dollars for the treatment. If it is what I want then I will pay a further fifty thousand for a complete shooting script. You can have all the help you want from the Studios, but, of course, you can please yourself about that.”
    I suppressed my excitement with difficulty. “May I have that offer in writing?”
    “Certainly. I will tell my people to get in touch with you.”
    “Will you wait three months? If I don’t succeed in three months, it won’t be worth wasting any more time.”
    He nodded. “Three months then. It will be an interesting experiment in real life. You should have quite an exciting time before you.” He signalled a waiter. “And now I must go to the club. Won’t you join me, Mr. Thurston?”
    I shook my head. “I’d rather not, thank you. You’ve given me quite a lot to think about and I have plans to make.”

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    I DID not see Carol for the next two weeks. I telephoned each morning and evening, but I was told that she was either at the Studio or at Mr. Gold’s house. I did not know whether she was avoiding me or whether she was really busy with her script. If it had not been for the way she had walked out on me, I should not have given it another thought. She often disappeared for a week or so when she was working hard, but, now I was worried. I remember the look in her eyes when she had said, “It is rather like that.” For the first time in two years, I knew I had hurt and angered her.
    I could, of course, have gone to the Studio, but first, I wanted to talk to her on the telephone where she could not watch me while I talked. As I have already said, she was very difficult to lie to. If I were to convince her that there was nothing between Eve and myself, I would have to handle the situation with care. So I continued to the Studio.
    I had settled in my apartment much to Russell’s annoyance. He had hopefully believed that I would stay at Three Point for at least another month. I thought a lot about Eve. On the third night after our meeting I drove over to Laurel Canyon Drive and passed her house. There were no lights showing and I did not stop; but it gave me an odd feeling of satisfaction just to have seen the house again.
    On the fourth day, immediately after lunch, I called her.
    The maid Marty answered. When I asked for Eve, she wanted to know who was