There's That Corpse Again, a Complete Novelet by W. T. Ballard

Author:W. T. Ballard
Format: mobi
Publisher: Munsey's

CHAPTER IV

I WAS surprised that they let me go. I'd fully expected to spend the night in jail, but after half an hour's questioning they turned us loose. The girl was silent as we walked down the snowy road to the lodge.

“You were swell,” I told her. “You picked up that cue beautifully. As far as this burg is concerned, we're engaged, and the way you clawed that cop made me love you if I hadn't already lost what little sense I've got.” I hadn't meant to say that, but my head felt fuzzy and I still wasn't thinking too clearly.

She turned to look at me, and the expression on her face was one of surprise. It had stopped snowing and the moon had sneaked out from under a cloud bank, turning everything into a pale blue silver.

“Why Doane. . . .”

“Forget it,” I said. “I open my mouth, and things I don't mean to say come out. I've got to find your dad.”

Her surprise turned to quick worry and I said, “Look honey. I'm not trading on the phony engagement, but you haven't come clean with me.”

“Clean?” she was stalling.

“I'm playing on your team,” I told her. “You're scared of something. An unknown woman calls you on the phone before dinner and you run out to the ski lift like a frightened rabbit. What are you afraid of, sweet? I can't work in the dark any longer.”

She didn't answer, she just quickened her pace and before I could catch up, we were at the door of the lodge.

Sammy was waiting, just inside. He reached out with long yellow fingers and grabbed my arm as I went past him. “Clint wants you in the office.”

I turned slowly. The girl went on without stopping. “Take your fingers off me, Junior.”

He grinned mirthlessly. “It's going to be a pleasure to kill you, chum. I'm going to love to squeeze the trigger.”

“A lot of tougher punks than you have had the same idea. I send the cemetery flowers every May thirtieth.” I turned and went along the hall to the gambler's office.

Clint Edwards was behind the desk. He stared at me with his little blue eyes, but he didn't waste time. “So you got them, pal. I heard you were good, you got them, and you wiped the mad Russian out.”

I didn't say anything. I didn't have the slightest idea what he was talking about, but I seldom admit I'm in the dark. It isn't good practice.

“You owe me one,” he said. “I told the cops to let you go. Bud didn't want to. He thinks he's got a case.”

“I wondered about that.”

Edwards grinned. “You're no fool,” his voice was grudging. “I could use a man like you.”

“Not enough dough.” I managed to sound uninterested.

“That's what you think,” his voice was full of meaning which I didn't quite get. “There's plenty of dough in this racket, but I suppose you think you're all set. I hear you're engaged to the girl. Was that

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