Read The Stein & Candle Detective Agency, Vol. 1: American Nightmares (The Stein & Candle Detective Agency #1) for Free Online Page B

inside. Miss Rosa’s room was smooth and slick, with three bubble chairs hanging down from the ceiling like fat white eyes and a wide couch next to a window overlooking the city. Everything was either silver or neon pink. Miss Rosa was seeing someone at the time, but I wasn’t in the habit of waiting my turn. They were both sitting on the couch, he in his undershirt with his belt unbuckled, and they turned to look at us.
    I could see right away why Miss Rosa was the favorite flower of Havana. She was more Spaniard than native, with dirty blonde hair and flashing blue eyes. Her hair was in a short bob, the kind that was popular with American girls just before the war and she was wearing a white dress and a wide belt. She shut her red lips and glared at me like I was bad weather. I guess she was used to men barging in during working hours.
    “W-what the h-hell?” Miss Rosa’s guest was a pimple of a back east investment banker, with thinning hair and a pudgy belly. He came to his feet, reaching for his fedora and sports coat. “Mister, I paid good money for this and—”
    “Afraid you’re time with the missus is over, pal,” I said. I walked over to him and grabbed his arm, then slammed him against the window. His nose started bleeding. Miss Rosa screamed. “Now listen to me real good, buddy. You’re gonna reach the ground floor. You can take the elevator, or the stairs, or maybe I’ll toss you out this window and you’ll reach the bottom a lot quicker. What’s it gonna be?”
    His manner softened. I pointed him in the direction of the door and let him go, and his feet did the rest. I looked back to Miss Rosa as I reached for a cigarette. “How you doing, sister?” I said. “Sorry about interrupting the day’s business, but I got a few more questions to ask you.” I stabbed the cigarette in the corner of my mouth.
    “You bastard,” she said. “He didn’t pay me yet.”
    “Always get paid before, not after,” I said. “I thought you’d know that. But I wouldn’t be that upset about your finances. After all, I’m sure you collected some real coin on the Baum deal. How much was it, sister? How much did it cost for you to sell out his son?”
    She came to her feet and walked slowly towards me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said. Her voice went soft and slow. “You come in here, asking questions. I don’t even know your name. Why don’t we get better acquainted?” She looked over Weatherby. He quaked like paper in a wind under her gaze. “You and your young friend there, I mean. And then we can talk like people instead of animals.”
    “My name is Morton Candle. His name is Weatherby Stein. We’re detectives.”
    “Weatherby.” He was the weak link and she knew it. She turned to look at him. “Such a nice name. Such a well-dressed young man.” She took a step towards him, a boxer sizing up a foe.
    But Weatherby shook his head. “Madam, I’m afraid we don’t have time to get to know you better. A child’s life is at stake. Now, we have no wish to harm you, but we have to know everything about the kidnapping of young Henry Wallace Baum. My partner seems to believe you had a hand in it. Is that so?” His voice cracked. “Please, if you could just help us, Miss Rosa.”
    She was expecting a tough guy response, and when she didn’t get it, it made her confused. “I don’t—” Miss Rosa started. “I mean, I can’t—” She stepped backwards, moving towards the couch.
    My hand shot out and grabbed her thin arm. I held it tightly. “Can’t what, sister?” I asked. “Can’t talk? You scared of something?” I pulled her arm up, and she stood on her tiptoes. She didn’t panic. I’d have to do something about that. “You knew when Sly Baum would be coming up to see you. You knew the best way to snatch his kid. You had to be involved in the caper.” I tightened my grip.
    “I was!” she admitted. “Dios! Let me go!”
    I let go. “All right, sister,” I