The rip-off by Jim Thompson

Author:Jim Thompson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Detective, Mystery, Crime & mystery, Mystery & Detective, Fiction - Mystery, Hard-Boiled, 20th Century American Novel And Short Story, General, Suspense, Adventure, Thrillers, Crime & Thriller, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery & Detective - Hard-Boiled
ISBN: 9780375700347
Publisher: Vintage
Published: 1999-06-01T23:22:38.185000+00:00

19

Kay Nolton and I left the hospital next morning, in the company of Pat Aloe, and two very tough-looking guards. I don't know whether Pat was armed or not, but the guards carried shotguns.

A very large black limousine with a uniformed chauffeur was waiting at the side entrance for us. I got into the back seat between the two guards. Kay rode in front between Pat and the chauffeur. Pat jabbed a finger at him, and nodded to me.

"This is the character that was supposed to have picked you up at the restaurant that night two—three months ago, Britt. Too damned stupid to do what he's told, but who the hell ain't these days?"

The man grinned sheepishly. Pat scowled at him for a moment, then turned his gaze on Kay. Looked at her long and thoughtfully.

She jerked her head around suddenly, and looked at him.

"Yes?" she said. "Something wrong?"

"I've seen you before," he said. "Where was it?"

"Nowhere. You're mistaken."

"You guys back there! Where have I seen her?"

The guards leaned forward, examined Kay meticulously. They made a big business out of squinting at her, stroking their chins with pseudo-shrewdness, and the like—a pantomime of great minds at work. Pat put an end to the charade with a rude order to knock it off for Nellie's sake.

"What about you, Johnnie?"—to the chauffeur; and then, disgustedly, "Ahh, why do I ask? You're as stupid as these guys."

"Mis-ter Aloe!" Kay heaved a sigh of exaggerated exasperation. "We have not met before! I would certainly remember it if we had!"

I murmured for her to take it easy, also quietly suggesting to Pat that the subject was hardly worth pursuing. He glanced at me absently, not seeming to hear what I had said.

"I never forget a face, Britt, baby. Ask anyone that knows me."

"You sure don't, Mr. Aloe! Not never ever!"

"I don't know where or when it was. But I've seen her, and I'll remember."

He let it go at that, facing back around in the seat. Kay gave me a smile of thanks for my support in the rearview. I smiled back at her, then shifted my gaze. What difference did it make, whether he had or hadn't seen her? And why should I be again starting to feel that creeping uneasiness in my stomach?

Pat took an envelope from his pocket, and handed it to me. It was the bonus check I had so foolishly given back to Manny, and I accepted it gratefully. The money would keep Connie off my back indefinitely, relieving me of at least one of my major worries.

We arrived at the house. The guards and the chauffeur remained with the car while Pat accompanied Kay and me inside. As she preceded us up the steps, he told me sotto voce that I should have a salary check coming pretty soon, and that he would see to it and anything else that needed taking care of, in case Manny wasn't available.

I said that was very nice of him, and how was Manny getting along? "I hope she's not seriously ill?"

"Naah, nothing like it," he grunted.

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