I looked through the cans of food I had bought, decided to try the ravioli which turned out to be tough and tasteless. Then I sat by the window, smoking until around 21.00 I saw Sadie leave her room.
I went over to my hold-all and took from it the .38 automatic which I slid into my hip pocket, then I went down on to the street and joined Sadie as she came from the block.
‘Hi, sugar,’ I said. ‘How about some more action?’
She smiled at me.
‘You sure are keen, man.’ She linked her arm in mine. ‘Yeah... let’s have some action.’
Up in her room, I took a hundred-dollar bill from my pocket and let her see it.
‘Do you want to earn this, Sadie?’
Her eyes popped wide open.
‘You want some kinky stuff?’
‘I want to spend the night here,’ I said. ‘I’ve got bugs in my room.’
She put her head on one side, her eyes quizzing.
‘Where do you get all this beautiful bread from, honey?’
‘Never mind. Do I sleep here or do I go to a hotel?’
She held out her hand.
‘Give... you sleep right here.’
When I had entered the room I had become aware of Rhea still pacing.
‘Your nutter keeps walking,’ I said, giving Sadie the bill.
‘You can say that again. I’m used to it now. It’s when she stops that it gets me.’
I watched her put the bill into her handbag, then she went over to the bed. She stripped the bedding. Going to a closet, she produced clean sheets.
‘Nothing but the best,’ I said as I joined her to help remake the bed.
‘When a honey pays a hundred bucks, he’s entitled to clean sheets,’ Sadie said. ‘As we have the night before us, I’m taking a shower. You want a drink or some food?’
‘I’ll take a drink.’
She produced a bottle of cheap whisky, charge-water and ice, then left me while she took a shower.
I sat in a beat-up armchair and listened to Rhea walk the floor above my head. She sounded like a caged animal. I thought of her, remembering the time when I had lusted for her, but now she meant nothing to me except a dangerous animal. If I had dared to have done it, I would have gone up there, kicked the door open and shot her, but I knew that wasn’t the safe way to play out this little drama. When I did kill her, I had to be sure the killing could never be pinned on me.
My love making with Sadie was much more gentle this time: the urgency had gone. We went to sleep, twined in each other’s arms.
Sadie slept deeply, but I just hovered between sleep and wakefulness. I half listened to the click-click-click as Rhea continued to pace, then I became fully awake when the roar of the approaching Honda shook the window.
Sadie moaned and moved, then turned over and went back to sleep.
Below, a door slammed violently. Then I heard heavy footfalls as Spooky pounded up the stairs. The click-click-click of Rhea’s heels suddenly stopped. I heard Spooky open his door, then slam it shut.
‘Listen, you bitch, this is the last goddamn bottle of whisky I’m buying!’
His deep menacing voice came through the ceiling as if he was in Sadie’s room.
‘Give it to me!’ I immediately recognised Rhea’s voice.
‘Take it! Drink yourself to death! Why the hell should I care?’
Sadie moaned softly in her sleep.
There was a long pause, then Spooky started to talk again: ‘I’ve had enough of this! I want you out! I want my pad to myself! I want you out!’
‘Shut up, you stupid jerk of a bastard!’ There was a hysterical note in Rhea’s voice that alerted me.
‘I’m staying here! I’ve nowhere else to go! You start trouble for me, you goddamn creep and I’ll fix you! I can fix you, Spooky! The fuzz can’t wait to get their paws on you!’
After a long pause, Spooky said, ‘Just what the hell is all this? I’ve got to know! What’s this about you staying here until the heat cools off? What heat? What have you done? Why the hell do you come here, hiding from the fuzz? Where’s Fel? I want to know! I’ve had enough of you walking the goddamn floor and swilling whisky. I want my pad back without you!’
‘Do you?’ Lying motionless, feeling Sadie’s body warmth seeping through me as she pressed against me, I listened. Rhea went on. ‘I stay here until it’s safe for me to go. I’m not showing myself on the streets until the heat’s off. I’ve done a lot for you. Who bought your goddamn bike? Why don’t you try to earn something? What are you good for except riding a bike and bragging, you stupid, brainless creep?’
‘Okay.’ Spooky’s voice went down a tone and I had to listen hard to hear what he was saying. ‘Then you get out! Go ahead and talk to the fuzz about me. They won’t worry me once they get you. So pack and get out!’
‘Have a drink, Spooky.’
‘I said... get out!’
‘Aw, come on... let’s forget it. We’re always fighting.’ There was a sudden whine in Rhea’s voice. ‘Have a drink, I want bed... and you.’
‘Who wants you? I said get out!’
‘I know you did, honey, but I want bed. Come on.’
‘I’ve had enough of you, you drunken cow! Go fix your own goddamn problems and leave me alone!’
I suddenly realised by the viciousness in his voice that he meant what he was saying. I slid off the bed and struggled into my clothes. This could be my chance! She hadn’t told him! So Spooky wasn’t a menace to me! As I pulled on my shoes, Sadie turned on her back.
‘Honey... where are you?’ she muttered and then went back to sleep.
I heard Spooky yelclass="underline" ‘Out!’
The door above slammed open: there was a thud.
‘Take your goddamn junk!’
Another thud, then the door slammed shut.
By this time I was out in the corridor. I shut Sadie’s door softly, then ran down the stairs to the entrance of the block. I stood against the wall in the darkness, listening.
Rhea started down the stairs. I heard her muttering, ‘Bastard. Bastard.’
Then I saw her outline as she groped her way across the lobby to where I was standing.
‘Take it easy, baby,’ I said softly. ‘There’s a fuzz passing.’
She came to an abrupt stop, catching her breath. She peered at me.
‘Who the hell are you?’
‘Like you... trying to cool off,’ I said.
She slumped against the wall by my side. I could smell the whisky on her breath.
‘Cooling off? What do you mean?’ Her words were slurred. She was higher than a kite.
‘I heard. Want to run with me, baby? I’ve a car. I know a pad out of town that’s safe.’
She slid down on the floor.
‘God! I’m drunk!’ There was a wail of despair in her voice. ‘I want to die!’
But not here, I thought. The bang of my gun would start trouble for me. I had to get her out in the open before I shot her.
‘Come on, baby,’ I said, and taking hold of her arm, I hauled her to her feet. ‘Let’s go.’
She leaned against me.
‘Who are you? I can’t see you. Who the hell are you?’
‘Come on... let’s go.’
I hauled her down the steps and on to the deserted street. She staggered as she walked and I had to steady her. Under the street light, she pulled away from me and we looked at each other. I scarcely knew her. She had aged horribly. There were streaks of white in her red hair. Her emerald green eyes glowed as if light bulbs were behind them. She was emaciated. She weaved as she peered at me.
She had on the blood-red trouser suit and she carried a bulging sling bag on her shoulder.
‘Hi, Wig-top,’ she said. ‘You got any hair under that wig?’