Noir Masters Triple Threat Treasury (2012) by Various Authors

Author:Various Authors [Authors, Various]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

4.

Elsie Grant lived in a richly appointed apartment in one of the cliff dwellings surrounding Central Park. A small hallway led into a tastefully-furnished living room, beyond which a sun deck seemed to be pasted to the wall. The girl led Liddell through the French doors to the deck. It had a gaily-colored awning that protected it from the curious above, and walls that guaranteed it privacy from the neighbors on either side. Directly in front, and eighteen floors below, sprawled Central Park, its lake glistening like a piece of mirror in the midst of the lush green of its foliage.

“There, isn’t this better than your old office?” the girl wanted to know. “It’s too hot to work today.” She walked to the railing, stared down into the park below. “He’s a real old character, isn’t he?”

Liddell dropped onto a divan set against the wall, stretched his feet out. “Any one of those dots down there in particular?”

The blonde giggled. “You know who I mean. I mean Old Connie. He’s so sure his horses are unbeatable.”

Liddell dug a cigarette from his pocket, stuck it in the corner of his mouth. “I don’t know about his horses, but if that one I saw work out today can do that time in an actual race, she’s in.” He touched a match to the cigarette, exhaled smoke in twin streams through his nostrils.

The blonde walked over, stood in front of him. She reached down, picked the cigarette from between his lips, took a deep drag on it. “I went out there today because I knew you were going to be there.” Smoke dribbled from half parted lips. “Pretty brazen female, eh?”

Liddell grinned up at her. “Connie tell you?”

The girl shook her head. “I’ve got my sources. Don’t forget the Witt Stables belonged to my father when Connie was just a trainer.” She dropped down alongside Liddell on the divan. “What are you going to do for Connie?”

Liddell shrugged, retrieved his cigarette, studied the smear of carmine on the end. “I don’t know if I’ll have to do anything. He just wanted some advice. How to protect his horse against any possible harm.”

“You going to guard the horse?”

Liddell grinned. “That’s one I’ve never tried, body guarding a horse. No, Connie doesn’t need any help. He has enough of his own boys to take care of any emergencies.”

The girl leaned back, jutted her breasts against the soft fabric of the sweater. “This Poet, do you know him?”

“I couldn’t say I’m a bosom friend, but I know Marty. He’s a two-bit hustler who chiseled his way into the big money.” He studied her as he smoked. “Why?”

She shrugged. “Just curious.” She chewed for a moment on the tip of a well shellacked nail. “Liddell, can I tell you something in the strictest of confidence?”

“Why not?”

“I’m in a jam.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I’m beginning to see now that I was backed onto this spot, but nonetheless I’m on it.” She got up, started to pace the porch.

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