Free The Sunshine Killers by Giles Tippette Page B

scowling, his face flushed from all the whiskey. He seemed to be working himself up to a pitch of some kind. All of a sudden he heaved himself up and made his way determinedly across to Letty. She barely glanced up, but he reached down and grabbed her wrist. “Com’on,” he growled, “me an’ you is goin’ to the room.”
    She twisted her arm violently, trying to free herself. “Let me go, you big ape. Goddammit!”
    He hauled her to her feet. “Miss high and mighty. Let’s see how you like what I’m going to give you.” He started to drag her away, but she pulled back and then fetched him a tremendous slap in the face. It so startled him that he dropped her wrist. “You sonofabitch!” she told him, her eyes spitting fire. “Don’t you ever touch me again.”
    â€œGoddam you!” Tomlain roared. He pulled back to hit her, but Billy caught his arm.
    â€œHold on, Tomlain,” Billy said. “McGraw won’t like this.”
    â€œYou goddam right McGraw won’t like it,” Letty spit. “You touch me again and McGraw will like it even less.”
    Tomlain lowered his fist, but he was no less angry. “McGraw’s special piece. You think that makes you untouchable?”
    â€œIt does where you’re concerned,” she said.
    â€œYou’re a whore, ain’t you?” Tomlain sneered at her.
    â€œSure,” she answered, “I’m a whore. By profession. But you’re a whore by nature.”
    Tomlain’s face clammed, but Billy turned him around. “Com’on, Ray. Com’on and sit down and let’s drink some whiskey. Sheila, come over here and keep old Tom company.”
    Letty glared after them, then finally sat back down. The party started up again, but it had lost its spark.
    Upstairs, Saulter lay staring straight ahead, his eyes wide open, his thumb rapidly cocking and uncocking the revolver. Tomlain’s loud voice had carried clearly to his ears.
    It grew later. Letty remained in her chair while the party slowly died around her. Barney was asleep on the floor. Tomlain lay tipped back in his chair, his head on his chest, a bottle of whiskey hanging loosely from his hand. Billy was laying on the couch with Brenda. Finally the other killer and one of the girls came out of a back room. Letty got up. “Okay,” she announced, “party’s over. Get out.”
    She went around the room rousing the men. Barney didn’t move and she gave him an ungentle thump in the ribs with her toe. “Get up!” she commanded.
    Billy roused himself and helped the very drunk Tomlain to his feet. Gradually they all dispersed, the girls yawning and heading for their rooms, the men out the door. Brenda was prompted to run after Billy and give him one last kiss on the porch.
    Finally only Letty was left. She went around turning down kerosene lamps. Juno came in. “Please, Miss Letty, where I sleep?”
    â€œSleep in my room, Juno, go on now.”
    Then she herself turned to the rough stairs and climbed up to the little left story. Saulter’s eyes were open when she turned the lock in the door and slipped into the room. It was a bright night and the moonlight streaming in through the small window made the room half lit. Letty slipped into a chair and sighed.
    Saulter didn’t speak, just turned his head to where he could see her. His face was emotionless.
    She waited a second or two before she burst out. “Listen, don’t look at me like that. Who the hell you think you are?”
    â€œI’m not looking at you any way,” he said. “I have no right to look at you or to think anything.”
    â€œYou’re damn right,” she said, but she was slightly mollified.
    â€œI just don’t understand,” he said.
    â€œWhat don’t you understand?”
    â€œThis place. You. The whole setup. This is . . .” he hesitated.
    â€œA whorehouse? Sure