Free Why Pick On ME? by James Hadley Chase

the letters we will go to Diestl’s place.”
    “And I will destroy them and pay you what I owe you.” Diestl said. “Is that all right?”
    “Perfectly.”
    “And if you are successful, Mr. Corridon, I shall probably be able to offer you a few more jobs which will be a little more interesting and a lot more remunerative,” Diestl said, as he shook hands.
    “I’m usually successful,” Corridon said dryly.
    “Splendid. I hope we shall work together in the future,” Diestl returned, “to our mutual advantage.”
    “I’ll see you tomorrow night,” Feydak repeated. “In the meantime please say nothing about this to anyone.”
    “Including your charming sister?”
    “If you please.”
    There was a pause, then both of them smiled at him, waved and went out. A moment or so later the front door slammed.
     
    II
     
    Corridon moved over to the window and looked down into the street. He watched Diestl and Feydak walk briskly past Huey. Neither of them looked his way. Corridon continued to watch the short, thickset figure, astride the motorcycle. When Diestl and Feydak had turned the corner, Huey started up his engine and rode rapidly away in the opposite direction.
    On the face of it, Corridon thought, it looked as if they were content to leave him in Lorene’s hands. He crossed the room and opened the door to look into the hall. There was a short passage to the right of the front door. At the far end of the passage another door faced him.
    Raising his voice, he called, “How much longer are you going to be?”
    “Is that you, Martin?”
    There was a moment’s pause, then the door facing him opened. Lorene in a green silk wrap stood in the doorway, smiling at him.
    “Hello,” she said, and came towards him, her hand outstretched, her eyes bright and alert. “Did Slade let you in? I had no idea you were here.”
    Corridon took her hand and held it.
    “I’ve been here for the best part of half an hour. They said you were having a bath.”
    “So I was.”
    She tried to withdraw her hand, but he held it firmly.
    “How strong you are. You seem very possessive tonight.”
    “I am,” Corridon said and pulled her to him. His arm slid round her waist. “How are the moods?”
    “Not working very well, I’m afraid,” she said, and put her free hand on his chest and pushed him back. “Please don’t play the caveman. I don’t find it amusing.”
    “I warned you women are moody,” Corridon said, releasing her. “Now I suppose you are going to be difficult.”
    “I don’t know what you mean. Now look, I won’t be ten minutes. Be a dear and go into the sitting-room and wait for me. I promise to hurry.”
    “I dislike my own company,” Corridon returned, and walked past her into the room she had come from. “I’ll watch you dress. It’ll be much more amusing than sitting alone.” He stood just inside the room and looked around approvingly. It was a big, airy room, furnished expensively and tastefully. “My word! You know how to make yourself comfortable. This is quite luxury.” He walked over to the bed and prodded it. “Like sleeping on a cloud. No wonder you are so beautiful.”
    She came into the room and pushed the door to.
    “Aren’t you taking just a little too much for granted?” she said, a sharp note in her voice. “I don’t allow men in here.”
    He wandered over to the dressing-table on which stood bottles of lotions, creams, perfumes, and astringents.
    “You sound a little out of temper,” he said, picking up one of the bottles. “If you called on me, I would be delighted if you visited my bedroom.” He unscrewed the cap of the bottle and sniffed. “Hmm, very nice.” As he set the bottle down, he said, “That chap Diestl’s an odd card, isn’t he? Have you known him long?”
    “I scarcely know him. He’s Slade’s friend,” she said shortly. “Now, please go into the other room and wait for me.”
    Corridon wandered over to the bed and sat on it.
    “I like being here. I