1953 - The Sucker Punch by James Hadley Chase Read Free Book Online Page B

hard up for women? Couldn't she see by just looking at me I had only to snap my fingers and there would be a flock of women rushing at me?
    Somehow I managed to dig up a flashing smile.
    "You're embarrassing me, Miss Shelley. I had something on my mind. I have just made you twenty thousand dollars."
    She immediately forgot to be coy and her eyes popped open.
    "I had a little flutter on your behalf," I went on, sitting down beside her. "This morning I gave my broker instructions to buy a quarter of a million dollars’ worth of Conway Cement. It moved up four points, and he got out with a twenty, thousand dollar profit."
    She stared at me.
    "You—you used a quarter of a million of my money without asking my permission?" she gasped.
    "I didn't use your money," I said impatiently. "I used your name which happens to be worth more than money. In other words I pledged your credit."
    "I've never heard such a thing! Suppose the stock had gone down? You don't imagine I would have accepted responsibility, do you?"
    I grinned at her.
    "The stock couldn't go down. If you put a quarter of a million dollars into a concern, its stock value must go up. Isn't that obvious?"
    "But you didn't consult me." She looked sharply at me. "How much did you say I've made?"
    "Twenty thousand, but if you're doubtful about taking it, just say so. I can use it."
    She gazed at me for a long moment. Into her eyes came a fascinated, admiring look.
    "It seems, Mr. Winters, you really are a very clever young man."
    "In spite of being a cheap crook and a damned racketeer?"
    She laughed.
    "I was angry then."
    "Well, go ahead and apologize," I said, staring straight at her. "Unless, of course, you still think so."
    She made a face at me.
    "I don't think so now. I apologize." She rubbed her shoulders ruefully. "And you had better apologize too. You hurt me."
    "Not likely. It's about time someone manhandled you. You've been having it too much your own way. You should be glad I didn't give you a damned good hiding."
    A little cough sounded behind me and I glanced around. Hargis was standing by my side, holding a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket and two glasses on a tray. He set them down on the table, opened the bottle and poured the wine.
    As he was about to move away, I said, "Wait a moment. Let me taste this wine." I tried it, nodded and looked up at him. "That's a lot better, Hargis. It could have been a little more chilled, but it will do. Okay, run along."
    He went away, rigid and silent.
    Vestal giggled.
    "I can't imagine what he is thinking." She took the glass I handed to her. "You shouldn't have spoken to him like that."
    "It's time someone put him in his place. Let's forget him. He's not important," I said. "Let's talk business, Miss Shelley. What have you arranged with Howe?"
    "I haven't arranged anything. I was so angry I wouldn't listen to what he wanted to say. I told him I would see him later."
    "Okay, then I'll handle him. Howe's a useful man. He can collect your rents without trouble, but he needs me to control him."
    She looked hard at me.
    "You know, Mr. Winters, I am glad you are on my side. You are on my side, aren't you?"
    "I've given you enough proof of that, haven't I? I am on your side all right, and I am on my side too. It just happens your side and my side are on the same side. Now we've cleared the air, I want to talk to you about your investments. The bank hasn't attempted to turn your spare money over for months. I suggest you give me your authority to make changes. I also want your authority to free a quarter of a million in cash so I can gamble with it." As she started to speak, I went on quickly, "It is understood that if I lose more than twenty thousand in any one month, the use of the money is withdrawn. I will submit a fortnightly statement to show you exactly what I am doing with the money, and if I don't make you the minimum of five thousand dollars a month tax free, the money goes back into gilt edge stock again."
    "But I