Donald Hamilton: The Ravagers

"Everyone seems quite satisfied with your performance, Eric," Mac said. "However-"

"Yes, sir," I said.

He hesitated. "Never mind. There is a gentleman named Johnston in town. You will see him tomorrow and tell him whatever seems advisable. Let us try to keep our colleagues happy."

"Happy," I said. "Yes, sir."

"And I have a message for you. A lady wants to see you at the bar at the Hotel Vance at five-thirty this evening."

"Any particular lady?" I asked.

"She said to tell you that Penelope was safe. I gather she wishes to express her gratitude."

I almost didn't recognize her. I don't suppose I was really expecting to find a disheveled young woman in a dirty blue jumper, after the days that had passed, but I wasn't prepared for the extent of the transformation. She was wearing something emerald-green and slinky and Chinese-looking, and the freckles were kind of subdued but the thick hair was a shade or two redder than I remembered, very soft and smooth and bright.

"Mrs. Drilling, ma'am," I said.

She turned from the bar and smiled. I'd forgotten what a pretty woman she really was. "And just what do I call you, Mr. Government Man," she asked. "What is your name today?"

I said, "Looking like that, you don't have to call any man by name, Irish. Just snap your fingers."

She laughed, and stopped laughing. "Penny's all right," she said seriously.

"I know. I got your message."

"She's with her father. I don't know how it's all going to work out, but in the meantime-" She hesitated. She seemed a little embarrassed. She said rather stiffly, "I pay my debts, Dave."

"Meaning what?"

"We had a… an arrangement, remember? But the payoff was kind of interrupted. Well, you were in my corner when I needed you. You were cruel and ruthless, but I guess you had to be. You accomplished something I couldn't have." She hesitated. "What I mean is, you did your part. I'll do mine. If you're still interested."

I looked at her for a moment. Then I signaled a bartender to bring me a martini. I looked back to Jenny, who was watching me, waiting.

I said, very carefully, "You had an arrangement with a shady private dick named Clevenger, who no longer exists."

A little frowning crease showed between her eyes. "In other words, you aren't interested."

"I didn't say that, Irish. I just mean that you're under no obligations because of what you may have promised a fictitious character in a moment of stress."

She said, rather coolly, "Aren't you being overly honorable?"

I said, "Hell, I'm just setting the record straight. Nobody owes nobody nothing."

After a moment she smiled slowly. "Yes. I see what you mean. It is better that way, isn't it?"

She was right. It was.