Descent from Xanadu by Harold Robbins Read Free Book Online

said. “I’m Ginny. I’ve just brought you orange juice and coffee.”
    Sofia looked at the tray on the night table. “Thank you.” She hesitated a moment. “Are we in Pekin?”
    “Yes, Doctor.”
    “Is Mr. Crane aboard?”
    “No, Doctor,” Ginny said. “He’s expected back here at 0400 hours.”
    “Do you think I’ll have time to look around?” she asked. “I’ve never been in Pekin.”
    The stewardess laughed. “That’s one of the problems of this job. I’ve been in many places I haven’t been to. We’re expecting to depart for Hong Kong as soon as Mr. Crane is on board.”
    “Mr. Crane hadn’t told me of that,” Sofia said.
    “He gave me the message for you. He asked you to go shopping with me and to give me your dress and shoe sizes so we could wire them to Hong Kong. He wants you to obtain a complete wardrobe before going on to San Francisco tomorrow.”
    Sofia was annoyed. “I have enough clothes.”
    Ginny smiled. “Mr. Crane has his own ideas. He says you have a Paris body so you should have a Paris wardrobe.”
    “Is he like that with everyone?”
    “Only those he likes,” Ginny said.
    Sofia was silent for a moment. “I don’t know my sizes in Western styles.”
    Ginny held out her hand. “Give me your towel,” she said. “I have a good eye. I’ll be able to tell.”
    Silently Sofia let go the towel. Ginny looked at her appraisingly. “You have a great body,” the stewardess said matter-of-factly. “Five foot seven, bust thirty-seven, waist twenty-five, hips thirty-six. Shoe size about seven.”
    “You seem experienced,” Sofia said.
    “I like clothes,” Ginny said. “And beautiful bodies.”
    Sofia looked at the girl but could see no expression on her face. She reached for the towel, feeling embarrassment. “Thank you.”
    Ginny walked to the stateroom door. “I’ll be in the lounge. If there’s anything you might want from me, press the button on the table next to the bed.”
    Sofia paused for a moment. “Would you call me the moment Mr. Crane comes aboard?”
    “Of course, Doctor.”
    “Thank you.” Sofia watched the door close behind the stewardess, then sat down on the bed and lifted the glass of orange juice to her lips.
    ***
    “Mr. Crane is aboard,” the stewardess’s voice came through the phone.
    “May I talk to him?” Sofia asked.
    “Press number eleven on the telephone,” Ginny said. “He’s upstairs in his lounge.”
    Sofia pressed the dial. Judd answered. “I would like to speak to you,” she said. “Are you alone?”
    “Yes,” he said. “Come up.”
    Fast Eddie opened the door for her as she walked into his lounge. He was sipping a glass of Coca-Cola. “Sleep well?” he asked.
    “Very well,” she said, an annoyed tone in her voice. “Why do you continue to treat me as a whore?”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “I don’t need a stupid wardrobe,” she said. “My clothes are good enough.”
    “Maybe for Eastern Europe, but not where you’re going,” he said. “And not when you’re with me. You have to be the best.”
    She stared at him. “I’m a doctor. Not a fucking model.”
    “Then go back to Yugoslavia,” he said. “If you don’t want to look like the beautiful woman you are, I don’t need you. I’m sure there are other doctors that can do what Zabiski wants you to do.”
    She was silent.
    He picked up a gold vial and spoon. “Here, take a toot. You’ll feel better for it.”
    She laughed suddenly. “Now, who’s playing the doctor?”
    “You’re the doctor,” he said, holding the gold spoon to her nose. “So forgive me if I see you only as a beautiful woman.”
    The cocaine brought her up. “I have forgotten so many things.”
    “Now we can get down to business. I have the medical charts you asked for.” He turned and picked up a folder from the desk.
    She looked down at it. Across the file folder was his name. JUDD MARION CRANE MEDICAL CHART AND HISTORY. Inside the folder were