Free 1944 - Just the Way It Is by James Hadley Chase Page B

have a ryvita instead of a sandwich? I’ve got to watch my figure.’
    ‘I should have thought that wasn’t necessary. You could get lots of guys to watch it for you.’
    They went into the drug store which was deserted except for a sleepy assistant who was dozing at the end of the counter. He looked up with a start and then smiled. ‘You’re late, Mr. Duke,’ he said, chattily, then he glanced at Lorelli and admiration
    came into his eyes. ‘What’ll you have?’
    Duke waved to Lorelli who ordered a ryvita with tomatoes and a coffee. Duke ordered a club sandwich.
    While they waited, Lorelli again muttered over her stockings. ‘What am I going to do?’ she demanded, fiercely. ‘I can’t go around in these.’
    ‘That’s all you women think about,’ Duke said, yawning. He was beginning to feel tired. ‘Hey, Jos, can you sell the lady a pair of silk stockings?’
    The assistant brought the sandwiches. ‘Sure, I’ll sell her anything.’
    ‘She doesn’t want anything, she just wants a pair of silk stockings.’
    The assistant nodded. ‘What size, lady?’
    Lorelli told him and he came back with a box of assorted shades. ‘Help yourself, lady,’ he said, putting the box on the counter.
    ‘Okay, Jos, leave ‘em there,’ Duke said. ‘And scram. I’m in conference with this young woman.’
    Jos gave what he thought was a leer and took himself off to the far end of the bar.
    Lorelli poked at the stockings with one finger while she devoured the ryvita. She kept moving her head, frowning as she felt the muscles in her neck stiffening.
    ‘Can we pursue your autobiography?’ Duke said, with his mouth full.
    Lorelli shook her head. ‘I’m not talking about myself,’ she said. ‘Anyway, not tonight. In the morning, I might consider revealing my past, but tonight I’m the mystery woman.’
    Duke stirred his coffee thoughtfully. ‘Well, all right,’ he said, ‘you’ll have to be a little more helpful tomorrow. That is, if you want me to help you. Haven’t I seen you in Paul’s office sometime?’
    She nodded. ‘Several times,’ she said. ‘I suppose your mind’s full of business. Otherwise you’d remember me.’
    Duke shook his head. ‘It isn’t that,’ he said. ‘I make it a rule not to be interested in another guy’s girl. What did you pick on Paul for?’
    Lorelli’s face clouded. ‘That’s all for tonight. Station X closing down,’ and she busied herself with the sliced tomatoes. Then she said, ‘I want somewhere to sleep.’
    ‘You have no money, no clothes and a figure that wants watching. Quite a problem, ain’t you?’
    ‘I’ll take care of my figure, you can take care of the other things.’
    Duke thanked her.
    She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was just after two o’clock.
    ‘Listen,’ Duke said, gently. ‘Didn’t you telephone me this evening and tell me to leave Bellman alone?’
    ‘Did I?’ Her big, black eyes went suddenly blank. ‘I might have. I telephone so many people.’
    ‘Bellman interests me,’ Duke went on, sipping his coffee. ‘Not that I like the guy. I wouldn’t like you to think he means anything to me. He just interests me. Maybe you know something about him.’
    Lorelli nodded. She wiped her fingers on the skirt of her dress and began to turn the stockings over carefully. ‘I know lots of things,’ she said.
    ‘Tell me,’ Duke urged. ‘Let me be your father confessor.’
    ‘I never had a father,’ she returned, pulling out a pair of flesh coloured stockings and examining them for flaws, ‘I wouldn’t know what to do with one now.’
    ‘You don’t have to do anything. I’d do all that’s necessary.’
    ‘I believe you would,’ she returned, slipping the catches on her suspenders and unpeeling the torn stockings.
    He glanced away and concentrated on his coffee. The assistant, however, leaned over the counter to watch Lorelli with simple interest.
    She glanced up and caught him at it. ‘Take your eyes off me,’ she said,