The Flaming Man by Chaber M. E

Author:Chaber, M. E. [Chaber, M. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Pulp
Publisher: Holt, Rinehart and Winston
Published: 1969-03-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

The time schedule was blown up. I took a minute to strap on the shoulder holster, check my gun, and slip it into the holster. I stopped down at the desk long enough to get the directions to County. Then I took off and pushed the Cadillac as hard as I could until I reached the hospital. I parked and rushed in, demanding to see Henderson.

I was shown into a room with four beds, all of them occupied. I spotted George in the bed on the left. Someone was with him, but when I showed up, George said something and the man stood up. He passed me as I headed for George. He didn’t look too friendly. I stopped beside the bed.

“How are you?” I asked abruptly.

He grinned at me. “Fine,” he said. “I was shot through the left shoulder. No bones broken, just a clean wound. The only thing is that the cops think that I must have started something and that’s why I was shot. After all, a black man down in that section must have a chip on his shoulder, and if there’s any trouble he must have started it.”

“I’ll take care of that,” I said. “Who was it? The Silver Dust Twins from yesterday morning?”

“I think so. The car looked like the one they were driving. I was walking along the street and this car came up behind me. That’s where they shot me from – the back. Then the car took off.”

“How are you really? Need any blood or anything?”

“Nothing, man. Except maybe some cigarettes later.”

“Do they come around with cigarettes?”

“Yeah. Somebody said they’ll be here in another hour. That’s plenty of time.”

I pulled out some money and put two tens on the table next to his bed. “Here,” I said. “You may want to get a newspaper, too.”

He laughed. “Man, that’ll be some newspaper. I don’t need that much money. I’ll be out of here by tomorrow unless the fuzz takes a dim view.”

I made a brief suggestion about the fuzz. “I’ll take care of that, so you’ll be out. Where can I find you when you leave?”

“In the bar, I guess.”

“Okay, when you go call my hotel and just give them your name. Then I’ll know you’re out. How much are they charging you for the hospital?”

“They shouldn’t charge nothing. I’m not working, so it should be free.”

“Frig ’em,” I said. I pulled out my money and found a fifty-dollar bill. I put it next to the two tens. “Pay them and tell them to go screw. It’s on the expense account.”

“You don’t have to – ” he began.

“Screw you, too,” I said. “Look, boy, don’t talk back to a white man.”

“Yes, suh, boss,” he said with a grin.

“I’m going back to work. I’ll see you sometime tomorrow. Want me to smuggle some booze in to you?”

“No, thanks. I’ll wait until tomorrow. They got too many other shots in me.”

“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I winked at him and left.

I drove back to the hotel and went up to my room.

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