Satan’s Lambs by Lynn Hightower Read Free Book Online

Why aren’t you jealous? It’s unnatural. The two of you should be at each other’s throats. I should have to referee.” He chewed thoughtfully. “Why do I always get involved with such abnormal women?”
    Lena ate a french fry.
    â€œSo,” Rick said. “How long do you want me to keep your cat? I assume that’s what this has been leading up to?”
    â€œNot sure.”
    â€œThat you want me to keep him?”
    â€œNot sure how long.” Lena took a drink of Orange Crush. “Did you know Hayes got parole?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œIt was in the paper. I forgot, you only read Variety .”
    â€œLena. God. I’m sorry.” He put an arm around her shoulders. “They should have fried that sucker. Down in Florida, they would have.”
    â€œI’m worried about leaving Maynard alone.”
    â€œWhat? He has big parties while you’re gone?”
    Lena told him about Hayes.
    â€œMy God, he came into your house? Your bedroom? ” Rick ate a handful of french fries. “And he left that song on your machine?” He took a sip of cold coffee. “God, I remember that so well. Whitney up on the stage … ‘We’re little black sheep, who’ve gone astray.’ … Remember how she leered when she sang that part? Too campy, I thought, but the guys ate it up. ‘Gentlemen rankers out on a spree, Damned from here to Eternity!’”
    Rick was a baritone, his voice resonant and rich. One of his better features.
    â€œYou should be in pictures,” Lena said.
    Rick grinned. “Remember I slicked back my hair—”
    â€œAnd had a cigarette dangling between your lips.”
    â€œA Camel. God, I can’t believe we ever smoked those. So bad for the voice.”
    â€œWasn’t the worst thing you ever smoked.”
    â€œLena, you were so cute then. So exuberant and happy and … energetic. Just enough of a bitchy streak to make you interesting, but not scary.”
    â€œDon’t speak ill of the dead. Will you do it?”
    â€œDo what?”
    â€œKeep Maynard.”
    â€œAnything,” he sang. “For my baby …”
    â€œGood. I have another favor.”
    â€œDon’t tell me you have a dog now, because a dog will make me sneeze.”
    â€œIt’s about a case I’m working on.”
    â€œNow, a goldfish is a possibility—”
    â€œPay attention, Rick. This was a robbery, and I need you to do one of your telephone routines, and worm some information out of an insurance clerk.”
    â€œPrime meat, my sweet, what would you like to know?”
    She told him about Eloise Valetta. “My main problem,” she said, “is I can’t get hold of the insurance investigator, and I need to talk to him. Should be no trouble for you to find him?”
    â€œNaw. I can tell you anything about anybody, ain’t no privacy no mo’, babe. And hey, I see you’ve been off the pill awhile. You just saying no?”
    â€œHow’d you find that out?”
    â€œIf you charge it or write a check, I know what and when you buy it. I also peeked at your medical records. Dusty, girl, dusty. You ain’t been sick in years.”
    â€œYou won’t get in trouble with Arlan for doing this for me?”
    â€œNaw, it’s just the odd tidbit here and there. Besides, Arlan treats me with care. Good skip tracers are hard to come by. Particularly artistes like myself. Though there’s no telling how much longer I’ll be available .”
    â€œSomething up?”
    He smiled, blue eyes bright and animated. “Going to Louisville next week for an audition.”
    â€œA good one?”
    â€œYou bet. By invitation. ATL.”
    â€œActors Theatre? Rick, Rick, Rick.”
    â€œYes, yes, yes.”
    She looked at his face and she was lost, suddenly, in another time and place, seeing the preaudition shine of hope and terror in his face. How many