The Red Scarf by Gil Brewer

Author:Gil Brewer [Brewer, Gil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New Pulp Press
Published: 2011-05-06T00:00:00+00:00

“Roy. She’s got a man’s suitcase in there.”

“What?”

“Miss Latimer. She’s got a man’s suitcase, and it’s full of a man’s clothing.”

“What’ve you been doing in her apartment?”

“I just looked in, that’s all, while you were next door. I saw it. What would she be doing with another suitcase, like that?”

“Darned if I know. Maybe it’s her husband’s. Maybe she’s married, just doesn’t want to say anything. Some women are like that.”

“She acts pretty queer, if you ask me. Has she said anything to you about being married?”

“No.”

I had to shut her up, or get away from her. I couldn’t take it, because I knew now that I was in on everything with Vivian, and I was scared. Just plain scared. I didn’t know what to do. With Radan skulking around like that. Only you couldn’t call the cops. Not on a thing like this, not even if you did want to back out of the bad part.

Besides, that money. It was there, and I had to have some of it. Somehow. It was the only way I could see—even if it was a wrong way. When the taxes for this property came due, we’d really be in the soup. I didn’t want to lose this motel. I wasn’t going to lose it. I couldn’t let Bess take it on the chin anymore. She’d never had peace, never—all our married life, it had been like this. From one thing to another, never any peace, and by God, she was going to have peace and some of the things she wanted.

One way or another.

Even if I had to get hold of the briefcase myself and run. God, I was in a sweet mess and I knew it. But something had to be done.

“Roy,” Bess said. “I hate to keep at you like this. But I know darned well something’s the matter with that woman. You must have seen that. She’s afraid of something. We’ve got enough around here without somebody tossing their troubles in our laps.”

“How do you mean?”

“I don’t know. I can’t figure her out, but I do know something’s wrong. You think I should ask her?” I knew Bess had been doing a lot of thinking. There was no way of her catching onto the truth, but I didn’t like her this way. It was my problem, not hers. She said, “I’ll bet she’s in some kind of trouble, Roy.”

“Well, maybe so. But let’s not stick our noses in, huh?”

“Yes. I know you’re right.”

I went into the bedroom and lay down. I finally dozed a little. Once I heard Bess come in, very softly, and stand there looking at me. I didn’t open my eyes. She went away.

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