King Cole by W.R. Burnett Read Free Book Online Page A

cigarette burning up in his fingers, staring out the huge south windows at the gray November day. He grinned when Read sat down. Read saw that he was a little drunk and this increased his irritation.
    “Don’t say it,” said Gregg. “I had a bad one to write this morning and I took one too many. I’ll snap out of it after another cup of coffee.”
    “I hope so. I can’t afford to associate with drunks till after the election.”
    “Too bad. I was going to invite you over to my place tonight. Very nice shindig.”
    “I couldn’t go, anyway. Got to meet the big boys tonight.”
    “I know. But that won’t take all night. Please come around. We’ve missed you since the big push has been on.”
    “I’m tired at night. I’m getting old.” Read did feel very old at this moment. All day he had been looking forward to seeing that girl again. He had wakened feeling alert and young. But now old thoughts had begun to creep back; old fears and doubts; even old pains. He rubbed his right shoulder and stared indifferently at the menu. “This November weather gets me a little,” he said. “My old wound’s paining right now.”
    They ordered, Read having a hard time making up his mind. When the waiter had gone, he studied Gregg’s flushed face. Would he mention the vanished check-girl?
    Over the dessert, Gregg said:
    “I hate to bring up a thing like this, Read, knowing your ascetic nature, but did you notice anything strange about the old stamping ground today?”
    Read knew what he meant at once. Involuntarily his face stiffened.
    ‘‘No. What do you mean?”
    “Little bright eyes isn’t on the door.”
    “Oh, yes. I noticed when I came in.”
    “You’re improving.”
    “What do you suppose happened to her?” Read spoke indifferently, avoiding Gregg’s eyes. “They certainly wouldn’t fire her after one day.”
    “Oh, she’s downstairs. Corinthian Room. That’s where they get the traveling salesmen and the out-of-town guys on the loose. I guess the manager thought she’d be more at home down there. It’s pretty snooty up here.”
    “I guess it is,” said Read. He finished his dessert, then glanced up, smiling. The pain in his shoulder had stopped; the day looked brighter. “Gregg,” he said, after a long pause, “let’s go over to Louis's and get a whiskey-sour. I feel like it. One more won’t hurt you.”
    “First he bawls me out for drinking, then he tempts me. What is this?”
     
    Over their drinks at Louis’s they talked leisurely about the coming election, both cautious, then Gregg changed the subject. Midland City was football mad; the University team was playing Wisconsin on Saturday and the huge stadium with a seating capacity of ninety thousand was already sold out. ”Going to the game, aren’t you, Read?”
    “I’ve got to put in an appearance. I won’t feel much like watching a football game. Election jitters! But I’ve got to show myself. Football fans vote.” He laughed. “Anyway, I want to keep in good with the Athletic Department. This time next year I’ll have a son on the freshman team.”
    “How is solemn old Johnny?”
    “Fine, according to last report. He’s the star of the Academy team. Doing all right in his studies, too. He’s a pretty sensible kid, I think. I don’t know which side he takes after. He doesn’t look like any of us. I think he’s got the brains of the family.”
    Gregg laughed.
    “He tickles me the way he goes around putting people in their places. He thinks I’m a nice old drunken fool. He practically told me so.”
    “Don’t exaggerate. He’s all for you, Gregg. He likes you better than anybody outside the family.”
    Gregg was pleased but said nothing. Johnny Cole was his idea of the kind of son a man should have.
    “I don’t know much about him,” said Read. “He never opens up with me. I often wonder if all fathers know as little about their sons as I know about Johnny.”
    “I can’t help you