William Davis - Blackmailed

"What the hell…?" He looked around, dumbfounded, realizing that most of Betty's things were missing. Christ! She's left me! He slumped down on the edge of the bed… drained, an empty shell. His first thoughts were bitter… almost paranoid. What made her leave? What did I do… to make her leave? Sure! I'm not home regular… but I'm out busting my ass to earn a living… a damn good one, too! Is there another man…?

Finally, disconsolate, his mind in a chaotic whirl, he went out into the living room to get a good stiff drink. He mixed a triple… with a dash of water and a couple of ice cubes.

Then, he found Betty's note, by the telephone. He picked it up and fortified himself with a gulp of his drink, before he read:

Jay,

I'm leaving! You don't seem to need me… or want me. I found out where, today! How many other days… and nights have you spent with women… like that girl named Carla? I've got to think; that's why I'm leaving. Right now, all I can think about is how badly you've hurt me, and I need time to decide whether or not we should try, again… or get a divorce.

Betty

Divorce!? God damn! She's really… thinking about a divorce… and she doesn't even know why I went to see Carla Reynolds…! But, how in hell did she find out where I was?

His own scribbled note was lying under Betty's note. He picked it up, read it and figured his wife must have called Carla's number. There's no telling what that little bitch might have told her! Looking at the scrap of paper, he remembered that he had put it in his shirt pocket… And, she found it… and made a federal case out of it, practically… or anyway… she's working on a divorce case… ours!

… And, there was no way of knowing where she might have gone… no way of getting in touch with her… to explain… try to make her understand… that Carla meant nothing more than a source of information… a part of his job.

Jay was sure that he loved his wife. Now… I've lost her! Then, he proceeded to sit there… slugging down one drink after the other, until alcoholic oblivion overcame him.

The insistent ringing of the telephone awakened him finally at ten o'clock the following morning. He struggled to the desk and picked up the handset.

"Yeah…?" he said thickly.

"Mr. Ballard… this is Karen. Mr. Pearson has been calling you. He insisted that you told him to call…"

"What…? Oh, yeah… I did…" he mumbled. "Tell the operator… to put him through to my home phone… Okay…?"

"All right, Mr. Ballard," his secretary said.

"Jay! Just call me Jay… Karen! By the way what time is it?"

"It's ten-oh-five… Jay," Miss Forrester said sweetly.

"Thanks… and I'll wait here for Arnie Pearson's call!"

He was fully awake ten minutes later, when Arnie called again.

"Joan told me you wanted to talk to me, Jay…"

"I do! Now, listen carefully! I know it's Ramsey… for sure! He's got two bird dogs out! One's a guy by the name of Jack Stearns. The other's named Pratt!"

"Yeah, I know Ollie Pratt. He used to be a fighter a few years back," Arnie said. "He was following me the last two days… and last night I put him out of commission!"

"What happened?" Ballard inquired.

Quickly, Arnie filled him in, with a few laconic details.

Jay added his own experience. "… And, Stearns tried to run me down with his car!"

"They're wanting to play rough, now… eh?"

"Yes! Now, there's a new development… I can't tell you about… but it makes me believe that the next step… is to get you… either to cripple you… make sure you won't be fighting… or… try to kill you!"

"They wouldn't go… that far?!"

"Don't bet on it!" Jay snapped. "They haven't located your new apartment, yet… and you're too big a target… when they do… so I want you to drop out of sight. Pack a minimum of things and meet me at my office in forty-five minutes!"

"You serious?" Arnie questioned. "What about my wife?"

"Don't tell her where you're going! The less she knows the better… and she'll be safe where she is… because now, it's you they're after! If you're in a hospital… or a morgue, you'll be no threat to Ramsey… and his plan to clean up on the next Championship fight!"

"Where'll I be going?"

"To a little cabin I've got… up in the mountains!"

p(line).***

Betty Ballard didn't really like to drink, but she had just poured the third martini for herself, determined to get drunk… falling down drunk, for the first time in her life. Tomorrow… after she sobered up, she'd start thinking about what she would do… try to make a decision as to what she would do… go back to Jay and try, again… or file for divorce. Right then, divorce was the obvious solution… Except… that I think I do love him! If only… I hadn't been so snoopy and found out about th-that cheap little whore… h-he was with!

Letting himself in with the key that Jay had given him, Arnie Pearson carried in his single, light suitcase, set it down, locked the door and turned around to see a blonde vision of loveliness struggling to her feet from the divan where she had been sitting.

"Who are you…?" she snapped. "… And where'd you get a key… to get in here?"

Arnie was surprised. Jay had told him the place would be empty. "I'm sorry… I thought the place was vacant…" Arnie began.

"Well… it isn't… as you can see! I'm here!" Betty told him. "So… you can leave, now!"

"Let me explain… I'm Arnie Pearson… and Jay Ballard, who owns this place sent me up here to stay… for a while!"

"… And, I'm Betty Ballard, Jay's wife… and I say you can't stay here!" She swayed toward him unsteadily. "So, get out!"

Arnie knew then that she had been drinking. Curious, he asked, "Does Jay know you're here?"

"No! I've left him!" She sat back down, as tears welled into her deep blue eyes.

For a moment, the big boxer stood there, undecided, not knowing what to say… or do.

"I-If there's… anything I can do…?" he fumbled.

"There's nothing… a-anybody can do!" she sobbed.

"If… I knew why… maybe I could talk to him…" Arnie offered.

"You'd never understand!"

"Why don't you try me… Mrs. Ballard…" he soothed. "Sometimes talking about things… makes them easier…"

"I'm too miserable… about it all!" she sniffled.

"I'll listen… if you want to talk, Betty…"

… And suddenly, Betty felt as though she wanted to tell this big stranger her troubles. He seemed to be so concerned… and he was a friend of Jay's… And, maybe he could help… by talking to Jay… and letting him know how I-I feel…

"A-All right… I'll tell you…" Betty sniffled. "Drink…?"

"Okay… I'll have a drink with you…" he agreed. "Whiskey."

She arose uncertainly and made her way to the portable bar, where she made a bourbon and water for him; then, turning she brought it back across the room. Arnie saw her sway and lose her balance. Instantly, he was there to catch her. He took the drink from her, and she was in the circle of his arms, leaning against his broad, heavily muscled chest.

"Oh, I'm… s-so woozy…"

He helped her to the couch, and he couldn't help noticing the luscious curves of her body. He tingled where she had leaned against him, and he felt that sudden surge of pounding blood into his loins, erecting his penis to vibrantly throbbing life. Damn! She's some woman! I could really go for her… but Christ… she's Jay's wife!

… Then, she was talking, telling him of her suspicions that Jay had been unfaithful to her… that she knew she wasn't the best kind of wife… in bed… But, I was going to try to learn some of those things… he wanted me to do… if they'd make him happier… and keep him from… going t-to… other women!