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

that, bruising her chin, hurting her mouth.
    A dry sound came from behind him. A sound like a piece of wood being broken. He jerked away from her and looked over his shoulder.
    Joe had come in and had coughed. He stood looking at Schultz with blank, stony eyes.
    Schultz gave a little giggle. He walked back to the centre of the room. ‘Get some drinks, Joe. Cubitt’s coming.’
    ‘Him?’ The boy sounded contemptuous. ‘What’s he want?’
    ‘Get the drinks, Joe, and don’t talk so much.’
    Lorelli lay back on the divan, her eyes smouldering and her fingers gently touching her chin. ‘Maestro is rough tonight. He hurt me.’
    ‘Great lovers often hurt those they love,’ Schultz said. ‘I read it somewhere, so it must be true.’ He went over to a large vase of flowers and began to caress the petals of a rose.
    There was a long, heavy silence. Lorelli watched Schultz closely. ‘There is something wrong,’ she said. ‘I feel you are angry.’
    ‘When Cubitt has gone,’ he said, looking at her across the scent of the rose.
    The front door bell rang insistently.
    ‘That’ll be Cubitt,’ Schultz said. ‘Let him in, will you, my pigeon?’
    ‘I’ll go,’ Joe said, putting down the glasses he had just brought in.
    ‘You stay here.’ Schultz looked at Lorelli. ‘Let him in.’
    She shrugged, pulled her skimpy dress over her knees and got up. Schultz watched her walk across the room and through the door.
    Lorelli opened the front door.
    The short, thickset man from the Chez Paree was standing on the step. He tipped his hat when he saw her. ‘Hello,’ he said, looking with X-ray eyes. ‘Schultz in?’
    Lorelli stood aside. ‘Come in. Wipe your boots, and don’t forget to keep your hands to yourself.’
    Cubitt grinned. ‘I don’t play with dynamite,’ he said, stepping round her cautiously. The last time he had tried to make a pass at her, he had nearly lost an eye. ‘I’m here on business.’
    ‘Well, go in. He’s waiting. I don’t care why you’re here so long as I’m not mixed up in it.’
    Cubitt walked into the sitting room and nodded to Schultz. ‘Here I am, boss,’ he said.
    Lorelli slid into the room, went over to the divan and sat down.
    Cubitt looked at her knees and wiped his nose with his forefinger. It beat him why Lorelli stood Schultz.
    ‘Have a drink, Cubitt?’ Schultz said, seeing his interest in Lorelli and liking it. He knew he wouldn’t get anywhere with Lorelli and it tickled his vanity.
    Cubitt went over and mixed himself a highball. He glanced over at the other two. ‘Ain’t you drinking?’ Schultz shook his head. ‘Not just yet,’ he said. ‘So Bellman had a scare?’
    Cubitt nodded. ‘It was Korris. He nearly got him.’
    ‘Korris,’ Schultz repeated. ‘Are you sure?’
    Cubitt nodded. ‘He came in the back way and asked if Duke was with Bellman. When I said he was . . .’
    ‘Duke?’ Schultz leaned forward. ‘What do you mean?’
    Cubitt frowned. ‘I’m telling you, ain’t I?’ he said, a little impatiently. ‘Duke was with Bellman.’
    ‘Why didn’t you say so before? What did he want?’
    Cubitt shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I tried to listen but Bellman didn’t give me a chance.’
    While they were talking, Lorelli sat still. Her eyes were anxious. Joe, who leaned against the wall, his eyes on Cubitt, looked bored. He hadn’t moved or spoken since Cubitt came in.
    ‘Go on,’ Schultz said, in a flat voice.
    ‘When I told Korris that Duke was with Bellman he went straight up. I heard a couple of shots and then Korris comes running down with whisky over his front, and dripping off his spectacles. He shot past me into the street and drove off like a bat out of hell.’
    ‘Bellman?’
    Cubitt shook his head. He’s all right,’ he said, regretfully. ‘Duke spoilt Korris’s aim. They know who did it. Kells got the number of Korris’s car.’
    Schultz closed his eyes. ‘I want to think,’ he said, and a long silence fell on the