Read 1973 - Have a Change of Scene for Free Online Page B

then sat down and began again on the card index.
    Jenny came bustling in around 17.15. She looked tired as she dropped into the straight-backed chair, facing my desk.
    ‘Everything under control?’ She sniffed. ‘Gasoline? Something happen?’
    ‘A tiny accident. nothing,’ I said. ‘How did you get on?’
    ‘All right, the usual. People are beginning to talk about you, Larry. The oldies are getting to like you.’
    ‘That’s a step in the right direction.’ I leaned back in the desk chair. ‘Tell me about Spooky. Have we a card on him?’
    She stiffened, staring at me.
    ‘No. Why do you ask?’
    ‘Have we anything on him? Where he lives?’
    She continued to stare at me.
    ‘Why do you want to know where he lives?’
    I forced a casual grin.
    ‘I’ve been wondering about him. I wondered, if I could contact him, if I might sell myself to him. I mean get friendly with him. What do you think?’
    Jenny shook her head.
    ‘No absolutely no! No one could ever get friendly with Spooky. This is wrong thinking, Larry.’
    Then she paused and her eyes searched my face. ‘Has something happened?’
    ‘Happened?’ I smiled at her. ‘I was just wondering if I could do a rescue act. I mean if I talked to him but I’ll go along with what you say you must know. I don’t.’
    ‘Something has happened! I know Spooky! Please tell me!’
    ‘Nothing has happened. The trouble with you, Jenny, is you get dramatic at times.’ Again I smiled at her. Then I had a sudden inspiration. ‘If you haven’t anything better to do, will you have dinner with me tonight?’
    Her eyes widened.
    ‘Dinner? I’d love to.’
    It struck me from her expression this was probably her first invitation to dinner she had had since she had arrived in this godforsaken town.
    ‘There must be someplace where we can eat a decent meal. Luigi’s didn’t make a hit with me. Where can we go - expense no object.’
    She clapped her hands.
    ‘You really mean that - expense no object?’
    ‘That’s what I mean. I’ve spent nothing since I’ve been here and I’m loaded.’
    ‘Then the Plaza, it’s five miles out of town. I’ve never been there, but I’ve been told about it.’ She waved her hands and looked as excited as a kid.
    ‘Okay. I’ll fix it.’
    She looked at her watch, then jumped to her feet.
    ‘I must go. I have a date in five minutes.’
    ‘Tonight then eight o’clock. Come to the hotel. I have a car okay?’
    She nodded, smiled and was gone.
    For some moments I sat thinking, then I dialled the cop house and asked to be connected with the Desk Sergeant. After a delay, his husky voice came over the line.
    ‘This is Carr remember me?’ I said.
    I listened to his heavy breathing.
    ‘Carr? Fifteen hundred bucks right?’
    ‘That’s it. Can you tell me where Spooky Jinx hangs out - his pad?’
    A long pause, then he said, ‘What’s the idea?’
    ‘I want to contact him. He and I are due for a talk.’
    ‘You looking for trouble, buster?’
    ‘I’m a welfare officer - remember?’ I said. ‘I’m asking for information.’
    Again a long pause. I could imagine him rolling his pencil backwards and forwards while he thought.
    Finally, he said, ‘Yeah - a welfare officer - yeah.’ Another pause, then, ‘His pad is 245 Lexington. The gang’s meeting place is Sam’s Cafe on 10th Street.’ Another pause and more heavy breathing, then he said, ‘Don’t look for trouble, buster. We have to clean up trouble in this town, and we don’t like work.’
    ‘That I can understand,’ I said and hung up.
    I got the Plaza restaurant’s telephone number from the book and made a reservation for eight-forty.
    But Spooky was a jump ahead of me.
    Jenny arrived at the hotel at 20.00. I scarcely recognised her. Her hair was in a plait and wound tightly around her beautifully shaped head. She had on a black and white dress that turned her from a frump into a desirable woman. She was obviously pleased and proud of herself as she smiled