Read A Hell of a Woman (Crime Masterworks) for Free Online Page A

give me a break. Either way I couldn't lose by seeing him. If this was on the level, swell. If not, that was swell too. At least I could beat his rotten tail off before I went back to jail.
    I parked a few doors below the store. I sidled up to the window, and glanced through the door.
    He was about halfway down the aisle, counting stock, it looked like. His back to me.
    I jerked the door open fast, and went in. He started, and whirled around.
    He came toward me, swiftly, hand extended.
    "My dear boy! I'm so glad they released you promptly. I asked them not to take a moment longer than was necessary. I made it very urgent, Frank."
    "Well, okay," I said. "I'm not kicking, understand. But you ask me, three days isn't very damned prompt."
    "But, Frank." He spread his hands. "It wasn't three days. It was hardly an hour ago that your wife repaid the money."

7
    MY WIFE? A wife I didn't really have, now, had ponied up the dough? Hell, she couldn't have. She wouldn't have if she could.
    Staples looked at me expectantly. "You mean to say you didn't know? She didn't tell you she was arranging your release?"
    There was a purring, pleased note to his voice. I didn't know what the situation was, or what he might make out of it. But a guy like that, you don't share your troubles with him.
    "Well," I said, "I knew she was trying to get it, but I didn't think she could. I guess it's like you say. You never know what you can do until you have to do."
    "Mmm." He nodded, studying my face. "I was wondering. You know, any number of people called the store here for you; accounts who'd bought from sample pending your delivery. I explained the situation to them, about your shortage, and-"
    "Swell," I said. "Why didn't you advertise it in the papers?"
    "Now, Frank. I was only trying to help you. You can be very ingratiating, when you choose to, and I thought some of your clients might like to help you.out in your hour of need."
    I shook my head at him. The guy was off his goddamned rocker. "Sure, they would," I said. "This is Saks Fifth Avenue. I got a bunch of millionaire clients. I don't practically have to club 'em over the head to get a one-buck payment."
    "Well," he smiled, sheepishly, "I suppose it was a rather forlorn hope. But… what I started to say was that I don't believe your wife was among those who called about you."
    "So?" I said.
    "Nothing," he said, hastily. "Naturally, you'd have called her from the jail. It just struck me as rather curious, your wife not calling and then sending the money in with another woman. I thought that, possibly-uh-"
    I shrugged. It struck him as curious!
    "I'll come clean with you," I said. "I didn't call my wife. I called all these scrubwomen and dishwashers I got for customers and I said they either laid it on the line, or I was through with them."
    "Really, Frank!" Hegave me a slap on the arm. "As a matter of fact, this woman-the girl-who brought the money in wasn't at all unattractive. Rather dowdy and weatherworn, but not bad withal."
    "That must have been Frances Smith," I said. "The neighbor's girl. Joyce probably got herself a job, so she sent Frances with the money."
    I lit a cigarette, casually, and dropped the match on the floor. That eager, foxy look went out of his eyes.
    "Well, Frank. As long as you're here-"
    "As long as I'm here," I said, "I'll take the dough I've got coming."
    "Now, Frank," he pouted. "You mean you're angry with me? You're going to quit?"
    "Well," I said. "I just supposed that-"
    "Not at all. I'm sure you'll be extremely scrupulous from now on; just about have to, you know. You can go back to work right now, if you like."
    I said I was pretty pooped; thought I'd better wait until Monday. He let me have twenty bucks against my pay, and I drove home.
    The place smelled like a sewer. It stank with mildew and rotting food. Icleaned out the refrigerator, piling the stuff onto the junk on the table. Then, I just bundled it all up in the tablecloth, dishes and pans and