Johnnie by Dorothy B. Hughes Read Free Book Online Page B

she didn’t follow it up with a bawling out. There was silence, so much silence he could hear himself swallowing chocolate custard. Maybe they were sneaking up on him right now. He crammed the last end of éclair in his mouth and, braving it, peeked. He almost choked. You couldn’t have wedged a hair off Magda’s head between those two!
    He couldn’t move. That was a clinch that was a clinch. And the kiss that went with it could have taught Gable and Turner plenty. But Johnnie wasn’t the only appreciative audience.
    In the doorway stood Trudy.
3.
    Trudy didn’t look particularly surprised, nor particularly angry. She was just plain disgusted. She ought to have coughed or something to let on to the hot cargo that she was present. Of course, so should he, Johnnie, but that was different. He hadn’t barged in on them; he was here first. The strain was getting him. Something had to break up that clutch. If Magda didn’t open her eyes pretty soon and see that look on Trudy’s mouth, he’d drop the encyclopedia and take the consequences.
    He relaxed when Trudy said one word. “Cut.”
    Ruprecht beat Magda to it. He swung around as if he’d been kicked in the pants. Magda just tossed back her head and ran her hands down her hips. Johnnie didn’t whistle. He chewed.
    Ruprecht said, “For God’s sake, Trudy. You should be belled.”
    Trudy didn’t pay him any heed. She kept her eyes on Magda. Her mouth was curled up. “I thought I’d find you here. And I thought you’d be at it.”
    Magda said, “Sneak.”
    “Rudolph is waiting for you. He’s going to make a speech.” Her little smile wasn’t friendly. “Hand in hand with his betrothed. You’d better snap out of it. Maybe Rudolph can’t make with the pash like Rupe but he is the oldest. And he doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
    Magda begged eagerly, “You mean he’s going to announce—”
    “At Ferenz’s special request. And you’d better get that kissed look off your mouth. Rudolph is dumb but not that dumb.”
    Magda remarked while she did repair work, “You’re a nasty little twirp and you always were.” She replaced the mirror and lipstick in her purse. “See you later, Rupe.” She sailed out of the room like a queen on a hurry call.
    Trudy stood aside for her to pass. She made a good Bronx sound before Magda was out of the doorway. The way she slammed the door after her nearly jiggled the book off Johnnie’s lap.
    “Now see here, baby mine,” Ruprecht began.
    Trudy stomped. “I’m not your baby. Definitely not. I knew you’d wolf after almost anything in skirts but I did think you’d draw the line at that one.”
    “Now, honey.”
    “And don’t honey me!” Trudy shouted. “Honey her. I don’t care. You know she’s a no-good slut but if that’s what you want you can have it. All I want is to know why you invited Rudo here tonight.”
    “I didn’t.”
    “You did. After you promised you’d stay out of the picture. You swore to me you wouldn’t try to see him.”
    “I swore I didn’t want to see him. I still don’t. He makes me sick to the entrails. And you swore you’d keep him out of my sight. Then the whole passel of you escort him here with a guard of honor.”
    “You invited him.”
    “I did not, baby mine.”
    “He phoned you. You said come to the party. You knew he wouldn’t turn down a party. Has he ever?”
    “Where do you get such silly ideas, Toots?”
    “From Rudo himself.”
    “He’s a filthy liar. He always was.”
    “Yes? How would he know there was a party at Furry’s house if he hadn’t phoned you from the station? He just got in tonight. He’s been on a train for days. How could he know if you didn’t invite him to come?”
    Johnnie had forgotten caution. He watched this openly, caramel éclair in hand and mouth. It looked as if she’d pop Rupe any minute. She was mad enough. And she was closing in.
    “I give you my word, Trudy. He couldn’t have called me. I was with some friends at