“Now wait a minute,” I said, feeling sick and empty, “you mean she has some guy with her?”
“I will tell her you called,” Marty said and hung up. I dropped the receiver and left it swinging on its cord. I felt like hell.
CHAPTER TWELVE
I CAME out of a heavy sleep to find Russell drawing the curtains. I sat up with a groan, aware that my head was aching and my tongue was like a strip of leather.
“Mr. Tennett’s asking to see you, sir,” Russell said, plodding over to stand at the foot of the bed. His fat face was full of foreboding.
Then I remembered Imgram.
“Oh hell,” I said, flopping back on my pillow. “What’s the time?”
“It’s just after ten thirty.” He continued to look accusingly at me.
“Do come off your highhorse, Russell,” I exclaimed. “I suppose you’ve heard what happened at the Writers’ Club?”
“I did, sir,” he said, compressing his lips. “I am very sorry to hear about it.”
“I bet you are,” I said, wishing my head did not ache so violently. I must have got pretty drunk when I had returned to the apartment. I could not even remember going to bed. “The little louse asked for it.”
Russell cleared his throat. “Mr. Tennett’s waiting, sir,” he reminded me.
I groaned. “Very well. Tell him to wait. But I’ve no idea what he can do. I don’t think there’s anything anyone can do.”
When he had gone away, I got up and crawled into the bathroom. A cold shower eased my aching head. After I had shaved, I mixed myself a brandy and soda and by the time I had dressed I felt more myself.
I found Peter in the sitting room.
“Hello,” I said, going to the sideboard and mixing myself another brandy and soda. “I was sleeping. Sorry to have kept you waiting.”
“That’s all right,” he said.
“Drink?”
He shook his head.
I came over and sat down on the settee near him. There was an awkward pause. We looked at each other and then looked away.
“It’s about Imgram of course?” I said.
“Well, yes, it’s about Imgram. I suppose you were tight?”
“Do I have to defend myself?” I demanded, trying to keep calm about the whole thing, but feeling my temper rising.
“Don’t think I’m here to criticize,” he said quickly. “Although I must admit I’m surprised you could have done such a thing. I came to tell you that Gold intends to sue you.”
I stared at him. “Gold intends to sue me?” I repeated. That was something I had not expected to hear.
Peter nodded. “I’m afraid so. You see Imgram’s hurt. He won’t be able to work for some days. The delay’s going to cost the Studio money and Gold’s furious.”
I felt a sudden stab of satisfaction. At least, I had hurt the little louse,” I see,” I said.
“I thought I’d better come round and talk to you,” Peter went on. He was uneasy and embarrassed and I could see by his expression that he found the whole business very distasteful. “R.G. say it’ll cost him a hundred thousand.”
“Quite an expensive punch,” I returned, feeling suddenly cold and scared. “He wasn’t thinking of suing me for that amount, was he?”
“Technically speaking, he couldn’t sue you at all. Imgram would have to do that,” Peter explained. He stared down at his perfectly polished shoes, then added, “R.G.”s seen Imgram.”
“So he’s seen Imgram.” I drank half the brandy and soda. It did not taste so good. “And Imgram’s going to sue me for a hundred thousand dollars? I don’t think he’ll get the money.”
Peter carefully touched off his cigarette ash with his little finger. “Imgram won’t sue you,” he said. “He told Gold he wouldn’t.”
I put my glass down. “What’s the idea?”
“I don’t know,” Peter said frankly. “I think I would have sued you. It was a pretty filthy thing to do, wasn’t it, Clive?”
I waved that aside. “Do you mean he’s turning the other cheek?”
Peter nodded. “Something like that.”
I got to my feet. “Why the greasy little beast!” I exclaimed furiously. “He can’t treat me like that. Let him sue! Do you think I care? Do you think I care what he does?”
“Look here, Clive, you’d better sit down. You’ve done enough harm as it is without adding to it. What’s the matter with you? Do you realize that Carol’s gone to pieces?”
I stood over him. “Now look, Peter, I don’t have to take anything from you. That’s one thing I am sure of. So keep out of this. Keep right out of it.”
“I wish I could,” Peter said, lifting his hands in a despairing gesture. “Do you think I like any of it? You don’t seem to realize how serious this is. You’re up against Gold. Anything that effects Gold affects the Studio. That punch has caused a lot of trouble. I don’t know why you did it. Probably you had every reason for punching Imgram. I don’t know and I don’t want to know. It’s done now and it’s upset our working schedule. To add to our troubles, Carol’s gone haywire. She can’t concentrate and I believe you’re at the bottom of it all.”
I sat down again. “It looks as if everything’s going to be blamed on to me,” I said bitterly. “What the hell am I going to do?”
“I think you’d better get out of town for a few days,” Peter said. “Can’t you go to Three Point? I don’t want you to run into R.G . . . . not in his present mood. You see Imgram won’t take any action and we’re trying to persuade R.G. to leave you alone. At the moment, Clive, he’s after your blood.”
If that’s the way he’s feeling, I thought, then it looks like curtains for my film script.
“I can’t leave town just now,” I said, after a moment’s thought. “I’ve too much on hand, but I’ll be careful to keep out of his way.”
Peter looked worried. “It’ll probably work out,” he said, getting to his feet. “I’d better be getting over to the Studio. We’re in a frightful mess at the moment and R.G.”s like a bear with a sore head. Be a good chap and lie low for a few days.”
“I will,” I promised. “By the way, Peter, you know I’m working on a story for Gold. Do you think this’ll upset it?”
Peter shrugged. “It may. It depends how long we are held up. If it blows over quickly and the story’s good, then it should be all right. R.G.’s a business man. He’s not likely to pass up a good story. But it has, of course, to be outstanding.”
“Yes.” I walked with him to the door, feeling depressed and worried. I began to realize what a fool I had been to have punched Imgram. It might easily influence my future career.
“Can you do anything about Carol?” Peter asked abruptly.
“I guess not.”
He looked steadily at me and I felt suddenly ashamed.
“She loves you, Clive,” he said quietly. “She’s a great kid and she doesn’t deserve to be treated like this. There was a time when I thought you two were serious about each other. I know it’s not my business, but I hate seeing her go to pieces.”
I didn’t say anything.
He stood hesitating, then said with a little shrug, “Well, I’m sorry. Perhaps she’ll get over it. Good-bye, Clive. Lie low for a while. I’m sure it’ll blow over if you’re careful.”
“Sure,” I said. “And thanks for coming.”
When he had gone I returned to the sitting room and had another drink. I wanted to go to Carol, but, somehow I just could not bring myself to face her. I had hurt her and was sure that if I went to her now, my task would be much harder than if I gave her time to recover. Besides, I had too much on my mind. I was not worried about Imgram, but I was worried about Gold. He could be dangerous if he wanted to be. I sat down and thought about it. Perhaps I should see him and try to explain, but I finally decided that Peter knew best. I would have to make up my mind to keep out of sight until things quieted down.