Iron Man (Jerry eBooks) by W. R. Burnett

Author:W. R. Burnett [Burnett, W. R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jerry eBooks
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

II

WHEN Regan and Coke got to The Commander they found Mr. Coon waiting for them, but Rose hadn’t arrived yet.

“Hello, Mason,” said Coon. “You’re on the dot. How are you, Regan? I don’t think we’ve ever been introduced, exactly, but I’ve seen you quite frequently at Halloran’s.”

“Yeah,” said Regan, shaking hands, “I remember you.”

“Well,” said Coon, “shall we sit down?”

They all sat on a big lounge overlooking the lobby.

“My wife’s always late,” said Coke.

“It’s a woman’s privilege,” said Coon.

“One of ’em,” Regan put in.

Coon laughed and glanced at Regan.

“You talk as if you didn’t like women, Regan,” he said.

“They’re all right in their place,” said Regan, unpleasantly.

Coon flushed slightly and looked at Coke.

“Don’t pay no attention to George,” said Coke. “That’s just his way.”

“Yeah,” said Regan.

“Well,” said Coon, “let’s change the subject. Have you picked out your next opponent, Mason?”

“No,” said Coke. “I’m gonna take it easy for a while. I might fight Larsen in the summer.”

“He’s champion now,” said Regan, “and he’s looking for soft spots.”

Coon, disconcerted by Regan’s manner, tried to laugh.

“You’re way off, George,” said Coke. “I never dodged a fight in my life, and I never will.”

“Yeah,” said Regan. Then he got up. “I’m gonna take a walk. I’ll be back in a minute.”

When Regan was out of earshot, Coon said:

“He’s been drinking, hasn’t he?”

“Yeah,” said Coke. “He drinks too much. I try to tell him but he won’t listen to me.”

“Well,” said Coon, “liquor’s all right; it’s the people that use it. Same as religion. I don’t go to church myself, but it isn’t because I don’t think religion’s a good thing; it’s on account of most of the people I see practising it.”

“Yeah,” said Coke, “that’s right.”

“You’re not a religious man are you, Mason?”

“No,” said Coke. “I suppose I ought to go to church once in a while. When I was a kid I used to go to Sunday School. George’s a Catholic.”

“I thought he was, being an Irishman. Well, one religion’s as good as another. I haven’t any quarrel with any of them. It’s the people, that’s all. They’re not consistent.”

Coke said nothing, but nodded and tried to look wise. Turning, he saw Rose coming toward them across the long lobby. She was wearing a leopard coat and a small black hat.

“Here comes the missus,” said Coke, jumping to his feet. “Ain’t she got the prettiest pair of legs you ever seen?”

Coon laughed.

“Maybe I better not express myself on that subject.”

“Hello, Coke,” said Rose, coming up to them. “Sorry I’m late.”

“That’s all right, honey,” said Coke. “Me and Mr. Coon here have just been having a talk. This is Mr. Coon. Meet the wife.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Mrs. Mason,” said Coon, affably; “and I saw your picture in the paper, too. It didn’t do you justice.”

“Oh, thanks,” said Rose. “Are you the Mr. Coon who owns all the horses?”

“Yes,” said Coon. “I’ve got a few runners.”

“Well,” said Rose, putting her hand on his arm, “I don’t know if I’m glad to meet you or not.

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