Read 12 Chinks and A Woman for Free Online Page B

anything. He looked inside one of the suit-cases, but it was empty. The smear of blood on the lining confirmed his idea that they were taking the body away in bits.
     He found his gun and cautiously went upstairs to have a look at the other Cuban. He, too, was as dead as a sausage. He lay twisted in a corner, his mouth drawn up, showing his teeth. Fenner thought he looked like a mad dog. A quick search revealed nothing, and Fenner went downstairs again. He wanted to get out of this fast. He turned off the light in the hall, opened the front door and stepped out into the night.
     Outside, the car still waited. There was no one in it, but Fenner let it stay. He walked down the street, keeping in the shadow, and it was only when he got into the Fulton Street crowds that he relaxed at all.
     A taxi took him back to his office. During the short ride he had decided on a plan of action. He took the elevator up to the fourth floor and hurried down the passage to his office.
     A light was still burning, and for a moment he hesitated before entering. Then, keeping his hand on his gun, he turned the handle and walked in.
     Paula was sitting in an arm-chair before the telephone. She jerked up her head quickly as if she'd been asleep.
     “Why haven't you gone home?” Fenner said shortly.
     Paula indicated the telephone. “She might have rung,” she said quietly.
     Fenner sat down beside her wearily.
     Paula said, “Dave, I'm sorry about—”
     “Skip it,” Dave said, patting her hand. “You were right to blow off. Right now things are happenin'. Those two Cubans got hold of that girl, killed her and carved her up. I caught them cartin' her away. They're dead. I killed 'em both. Don't interrupt. Let me tell you fast. The cops must be kept out of this. This is between me and whoever started it. Those cheap punks are only the dressin'. They ain't the whole salad. Take a look at that.” He gave Paula the letter he'd found in Marian's bag.
     Paula read it through. Her face had gone a little pale, but otherwise she was calm. “Key West?” she said.
     Fenner's smile was mirthless. “That make you think?” '
     Paula puzzled.
     “That dame wanted to find her sister. She said she didn't know where she was. Why didn't she tell me Key West? You know, baby, it looks like a plant. There's something very funny about this business.”
     “Who's Pio?” Paula said, reading the letter again. “And who's Noolen?”
     Fenner shook his head. There was a hard look in his eyes. “I don't know, baby, but I'm goin' to find out. I've got six thousand dollars of that girl's money, an' if I have to spend every dollar of it, I'm goin' to find out.”
     He went over to the telephone and dialed a number. While the line was connecting, he said, “Ike's goin' to earn some of that dough I've been slippin' him.”
     The line connected with a little plop. Fenner said, “Ike?” He waited, then he said, “Tell him Fenner. Tell him not to be a jerk. Tell him if he don't come to this phone at once, I'll come down and kick his teeth in.” He waited again, his right shoe kicking the desk leg continuously. Then Ike's growl came over the wire.
     “All right, all right,” Fenner said. “To hell with your game. This is urgent. I want to find someone I can contact in Key West. Do you know anyone down there? He's gotta have an in with the guys that count.”
     “Key West?” Ike grumbled. “I don't know anyone in Key West.”
     Fenner showed his teeth. “Then rustle up someone who does. Ring me back right away. I'll wait.” He slammed the receiver down on its cradle.
     Paula said, “You going down there?”
     Fenner nodded. “It's a long way, but I think that's where it'll finish. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm going to see.”
     Paula got to her feet. “Do I go with