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suddenly and, probably for the first time in twenty years, she blushed.
There was a heavy, electric silence.
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Myra said, Go ahead: don t mind me. Was he with you ON that night?
Lola jumped to her feet; her face still red, but her eyes angry and hard.
Get out, you two! I m talking too much. Go on, beat it. I ve said all I m going to say.
Don t get excited, I said soothingly. This is important Lola. Perelli s in a jam. If you can
help him, you ve got to do it. If you know he left here at ten-thirty, you can save his life. Was
he with you on that night?
Lola gave Myra a quick, calculating look.
I m not talking, she said curtly. Get out; both of you!
All right, Myra, I said, and went to the door, opened it and jerked my thumb. Wait for me in
the car. I have a little business deal to settle with Lola. I ll join you in a couple of minutes.
How about Betillo? Myra said. He ll be up here any minute now.
Never mind Betillo. Wait for me in the car.
She went out, her back very straight, her face white. I closed the door.
That was a bit of bad luck, I said, took out a pack of cigarettes and offered it to her.
She looked at me, grimaced, and took the cigarette.
Think twice the next time you make up your so-called mind to bring a woman into a hole
like this, she said savagely. What kind of spot do you think you ve put me in?
Yeah; I m sorry, but I wasn t to know. As it turns out, it may be a lucky break. Don t be coy
with me, Lola; was Perelli with you?
Of course he was. He played cards with Betillo and then came over to me. I was always
seeing him. He s one of my regulars.
Remember what time he left you?
It would be about half past ten. I don t remember to the minute.
That s swell, I said sarcastically. So Betillo was telling the truth and Perelli was lying.
She didn t say anything.
I guess he didn t want Myra to know what he was up to, I said, and shook my head. He
must have gambled on Betillo backing up his story. You may have to be a witness, Lola. He s
got to have an alibi.
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I don t care. she said, shrugging, but she will. I know her type. She thinks once a man falls
in love with her he s hers for keeps. It doesn t work out that way.
I took out a hundred-dollar bill.
I owe you this for spoiling that sheet of yours. Keep your mouth shut about Perelli, Lola. I ll
tell you if we want you at the trial.
She took the bill, folded it and pushed it down the top of her stocking.
What pigs men are. she said, and threw the half-smoked cigarette contemptuously into the
fireplace.
III
I opened the Buick door, slid under the wheel and trod on the starter.
Myra was smoking, a brooding look on her face.
So we don t touch Betillo? she said in a low, flat voice.
As it happened, I said, not looking at her, he was telling the truth. Nick parted company
with him at nine-thirty.
And spent an hour with that awful, washed-out blonde, Myra said. Lovely for him. I hope
he enjoyed himself.
I drove with exaggerated care up Monte Verde Avenue.
He s risking his neck to keep it quiet, I said. There s that in his favour.
Oh, shut up! Myra said, her voice unsteady. You don t have to make a case out for him.
There wasn t a damn thing I wouldn t have done for him: not a thing. When he was in jail, I
waited for him. When he came out, I was right on the doorstep. When he was short of money,
and he was always short of money, I kept him going. I ve been walking the floor all last night,
worrying about him. And he has to cheat with a hustler like that in a sordid little room, and pay
for it.
You re breaking my heart, I said. Okay, so he cheated on you. So what? You don t have to
stand by him now. You re free. There re hundreds of men who ll give you a good time. What
are you worrying about?
She swung round in her seat, catching her breath, her face tight with rage.
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I grinned at her.
Get off your high horse, honey. It doesn t suit your complexion.
She started at me, bit her lip and managed a wry smile. I guess you re right. They re all
alike. I wish I didn t love that heel. If he ever gets out of this mess, I ll have something to say to
him. He ll be allergic to blondes for the rest of his life by the time I ve finished with him!
I pulled up outside her bungalow.
Go to bed and get some sleep. I have to do a little more thinking.
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