Hunter and the Trap by Howard Fast Read Free Book Online

care how he does it, and I don’t give a damn how they feel about it. I want to be able to come and go without fighting that line-up out there.”
    Diva nodded and went into the bedroom to make the call. Jose poured Andy a glass of brandy and said:
    â€œTrouble—damn big trouble, hey Monte?”
    â€œYou can say that.”
    Andy stared at the brandy for a long moment; then he gulped it down and almost choked on it. He flung the glass away from him.
    â€œI understand,” Jose nodded.
    â€œThis crap that it’s easy to die,” Andy said. “This filthy crap that it’s easy to die.”
    Diva came out of the bedroom. “I spoke to the manager. He’ll do his best. He wants to stop by later and have a word with you. I tell him is all right—yes?”
    â€œNo. I don’t want to talk to him.”
    â€œHave a word with him, Andy.”
    â€œYou had a word with Pete.”
    â€œThen I’ll talk to him,” I said.
    â€œNo—the hell with that. I’ll see him when he comes up.”
    â€œYou want anything, Andy?” Diva asked him.
    â€œNo.”
    I walked out onto the terrace, and Diva followed me. The sun was setting over Queens. The city was quiet and lovely and full of shadows.
    â€œI am a bitch, Monte,” Diva said. “You are married to one. You need me like I need what happened today. I suppose you tell your wife. Oh, you shouldn’t have, Monte. That’s how they know.”
    â€œMaybe not. I had to tell Pete.”
    â€œPete is a pig,” she whispered. “Don’t you know Pete is a pig?”
    â€œHe’s Andy’s friend.”
    â€œOh, that’s a stinking lie, number one. Friends! Andy has no friends. Jose and me—we are servants. That’s better. And you—”
    â€œYeah—and me?”
    â€œI don’t know what you are. You asked Pete for shelter? You asked Pete for life?”
    â€œHe’s a public corporation.”
    â€œYou know what he is.”
    The doorbell rang, and Diva went inside to open the door. I followed. Andy sat in his chair without moving. It was the hotel manager. Diva let him in and closed the door quickly behind him. Jose pulled up a chair for him. He nodded at me and sat down facing Andy.
    â€œI manage the place,” he said to Andy. “It’s a job.”
    â€œWhy don’t you tell me that you admire me?” Andy asked.
    â€œI have too much respect for you to say that.”
    â€œThank you,” Andy said.
    â€œStill—well, what do you say, Mr. Bell?”
    â€œI don’t think any harm will come to the hotel.”
    â€œCan you guarantee that?”
    â€œYou know better than to ask me that.” Andy smiled.
    â€œI have to ask it.”
    â€œI was a hunter,” Andy said. “A hunter waits until the game moves into the open. Even when he spots the lair.”
    â€œUnless he becomes impatient.”
    â€œI’ll make my run,” Andy said. “I have to rest a little. I’m tired now. But I’ll make my run.”
    â€œI heard you won’t leave the city.”
    â€œI don’t have to leave the city to make a run.”
    The manager watched Andy for a moment, saw him and appraised him. I liked the manager. “What the hell,” the manager said, “it’s only a job. Get your rest.”
    Then he left.
    Andy closed his eyes. I went out onto the terrace, where the night was washing in. I stayed there for fifteen or twenty minutes, and then Andy called me.

14
    â€œSit down, Monte,” he said.
    I sat in the chair facing him.
    â€œNone of that crap I tried before. This is very simple and direct. I am going to make a run for it. Get out and get clear.”
    â€œTonight?”
    â€œTonight.” Jose and Diva stood by the doors to the terrace, and Andy told them to clear out of the living room. “I want to talk to Monte alone.” They went into their respective