James Chase: 12 Chinks and a Woman

Paula nodded. “It was like I told you. I went up to the desk and started making arrangements for a room. She was standing behind me. I took off my glove to sign the book and I felt sort of lonely. I looked round and there she was drifting into the street. She was on her own and moving fast. By the time I’d got through the revolving door she’d gone. I tell you, Dave, I got a nasty shock. What was worrying me more than anything was I’d got all that money on me. I guess you were nuts to have given it to me.”

Fenner grinned unpleasantly. “You don’t know just how smart I was, baby,” he said. “I guess I did myself a nice turn sending you out with that dough. Anyway, go on.”

“I went back to the hotel, asked for an envelope, put the money in and gave it to the cashier to hold.’ Then I shot out into the street and had a look round; didn’t get anywhere, so I phoned you.”

Fenner nodded. “Okay. If you’re sure she ran out without some guy pushin’ her to it, we’ll let it ride for a moment.”

Paula said, “I’m positive!”

“Now let me tell you somethin.’ There’s somethin’ mighty phony about this business. Someone planted a dead Chink in the outer office after you’d gone, and tipped the cops.”

Paula sat up. “A dead Chink?”"”

Fenner smiled mirthlessly. “Yeah. This Chink had a slit in his throat and had been dead some time. He would want some explainin’ away. Soon as I saw him, I asked myself why. Either that guy was left as a warnin’ or else as a plant. I wasn’t takin’ any chances, so I moved him out quick and tossed him in an empty office at the end of the corridor. Well, I was right. It was a plant. I hadn’t got back more than a few minutes before three tough bulls bust in. They were lookin’ for that Chink, and, believe me, it took all I had not to laugh in their faces.”

“But why?” Paula asked, her eyes very wide.

“Suppose they found him there? I should have been taken down to the station and held. That’s what was wanted. To get me out of the way long enough to catch up with this Daley dame. These bulls softened up a lot when they found nothin’ to holler about, but they searched the two offices. I had my fingers crossed. If they had found that six grand it might have taken a little explainin’ away.”

Paula said, “But what’s all this mean?”

“Search me. It just amuses me; but it don’t mean anythin’ yet. What did you get out of Miss Daley?”

Paula shook her head. “She just wasn’t talkin’. I asked her the usual line for our records, but she said she would only talk to you.”

Fenner finished his Scotch and stubbed out his cigarette. “Investigation seems about to peter out,” he said. “We’re six grand to the good an’ no work to do for it.”

“But you won’t sit around doin’ nothing?”

“Why not? She paid me the dough, didn’t she? Then when I fix it so she can talk in comfort, she blows. Why should I worry? When she wants more advice, she’ll contact me.”

An elderly man with a lean face, all nose and chin, came into the lounge and sat down a few tables from them. Paula looked at him curiously. She thought by the look of his eyes he’d been weeping. She wondered why. Fenner broke into her thoughts. “What did you think of this Daley dame?” he said abruptly.

Paula knew what he wanted. “She was educated. Her clothes were class and cost plenty. She was scared about something. I could guess at her age, but I’d most likely make a mistake. I’d say twenty-four. I might be six years out either way. If she was anything but a good girl, she was a good actress. Her make-up was mild and she’d been living in the sun a lot. She was modest—”

Fenner nodded his head. “I was waiting for that. Sure, she was the modest type. Then why should she take off her clothes to show me that someone had thrashed her?”

Paula put her glass down and stared at him. “This is a new one,” she said.

“Oh, I’ll get round to everythin’ in time.” Fenner waved his glass at the waiter. “You don’t know about the guy who phoned me while I was talkin’ to her an’ told me she was nuts. That’s when she went into the strip-tease. That’s what’s gettin’ me. It don’t line up with her type. She just took off her coat and blouse and stood around the office in her brassiere. It don’t add up.”

“Someone had beaten her?”

“I’ll say someone had beaten her. The marks on her back looked like they were put on with red paint.”

Paula thought for a moment. “Maybe she was scared that you’d think she was crazy and, by showing you that, you’d see she was in a jam.”

Fenner nodded. “It might go like that, but I don’t like it.”

While the waiter was fixing him another drink, Paula glanced at the elderly man again. She said to Fenner, “Don’t look now, but there’s a man over there taking a great interest in you.”

“What of it?” Fenner said impatiently. “Maybe he likes my face.”

“It couldn’t be that. I guess he thinks you’re made up for the films.”

The elderly man got up abruptly and came over. He stood uncertainly, and he looked so sad that Paula gave him an encouraging smile. He addressed himself to Fenner. “You’ll excuse me,” he said, “but are you Mr. Fenner?”

“That’s right,” Fenner said without any enthusiasm.

“My name’s Lindsay. Andrew Lindsay. I wanted your help.”

Fenner shifted restlessly. “I’m glad to know you, Mr. Lindsay,” he said, “but I couldn’t be any help to you.”

Lindsay looked disconcerted. His eyes wandered to Paula and then back to Fenner.

“Won’t you sit down, Mr. Lindsay?” Paula said.

Fenner shot her a hard look, but Paula wouldn’t see it.

Lindsay hesitated and then sat down.

Paula went on with a show of manners that almost embarrassed Fenner. “Mr. Fenner’s a very busy man, but I’ve never known him to turn down anyone who was in trouble.”

Fenner thought, “This little smartie’s goin’ to get smacked when we’re alone.” He nodded his head at Lindsay because he had to. “Sure,” he said. “What’s bitin’ you?”

“Mr. Fenner, I’ve read about how you found the Blandish girl when she was kidnapped. I’m in the same trouble. My little girl disappeared yesterday.” Two tears ran down his thin face. Fenner shifted his eyes. “Mr. Fenner, I’m asking you to help find her. She was all I had, and God knows what has become of her.”

Fenner finished his whiskey and put the glass down on the table with a click. “You’ve told the police?” he said abruptly.

Lindsay nodded.

“Kidnappin’ is a Federal offense. I can’t do better’n the F.B.I. You must be patient. They’ll turn her up.”

“But, Mr. Fenner—”

Fenner shook his head. He got to his feet. “I’m sorry, but I can’t get round to it.”

Lindsay’s face puckered like a disappointed child’s. He put out his hand and held on to Fenner’s sleeve. “Mr. Fenner, do this for me. You won’t regret it. You can charge what you like. You can find my little girl sooner than anyone. I know you can. Mr. Fenner, I beg you to do this.”

Fenner’s eyes were chips of ice. He took Lindsay’s hand off his arm gently but firmly. “Listen,” he said. “I’m my own boss; I don’t work for anyone. If I want to take an assignment, I take it. If I don’t, I turn it down. Right now, I’ve got something that’s giving me an itch. I’m sorry your kid’s got herself into trouble, but I can’t do anythin’ about it. The F.B.I. is big enough to take care of your daughter and hundreds of other guys’ daughters. I’m sorry, but I’m not doing it.”

He jerked his head at Paula and walked out of the lounge. Lindsay dropped his hands helplessly, and very quietly began to cry. Paula patted his arm. Then she got up and went out of the lounge. Fenner was standing waiting for her. He said savagely, as she walked up, “You must start crimpin’. What the hell do you think we’re runnin’—a dog’s home?”