“White slave and dope, eh?”
He nodded, and said: “He’s coming to see you tonight. You and Mr. Kirby. He said to tell you something like striking an iron while it was hot. It wasn’t the old saying but something that meant it, if you know what I mean. He’s very pleased; he says he’s really cleaning house.”
“How’s Kirby?”
“I asked the doctor. Getting along fine. He fired the policeman named Hunter; Hunter was working for Crandall.”
“That’s swell. How’s your big girl? Hazel.” He put on his worried look again and said: “I’m supposed to meet her at five. How long will it be before you’re able to go back to San Francisco?”
I laughed on that one. Spanish leaned over and took my hand and cooed: “Honey! If I go to San Francisco to live, after I get cured, will you come and see me?”
She was talking her gargly way, as usual, and I looked at her and thought how pretty she was and how I didn’t like her voice one good damn’s worth, and I suddenly thought of something and got curious. I doubt that I would have had nerve enough to come out with it if I hadn’t been a bit lightheaded from losing blood.
I asked: “Listen, doll! Do you, by any chance, happen to be wearing a dental plate?”
She looked startled as well as red in the face, and stammered: “W-w-well, yes. It’s partial.”
“I’ll buy you one that fits as soon as we get to the city. I made dough enough out of the case to afford it.”
Lester said, in a shocked voice: “Shean! You shouldn’t say things like that.”
“If she isn’t used to the way I talk by now, she soon will be. Won’t you, lamb baby?”
She grinned at both of us and said: “I love it. I never know what’s coming next.”