Part 3 (2/2)
Slowly, Johnny put the gun back in the rack. The three men relaxed. They watched him collect some tin mugs and a big earthenware jar.
”You boys want a drink?”
”What is it?” Riley asked suspiciously. ”Your own rot-gut?”
”It's good stuff--the best.”
Johnny poured the applejack into the mugs and handed them around.
They drank cautiously. Bailey gagged, but Riley and Old Sam managed to-get the burning stuff down their throats.
”How about some grub, Johnny?” Old Sam asked as he wiped his mouth on his sleeve. ”I'm starving.”
”Help yourself,” Johnny said. ”There's the pot on the stove.”
As Old Sam went over to the stove, Bailey said to Riley, ”You were wrong to s.n.a.t.c.h the girl. We should have killed her. Eddie will tell Ma Grisson and she'll send Slim after us.”
”Shut up!” Riley yelled furiously.
Johnny stiffened.
”What's that? Slim? He isn't in this, is he?” he said.
”He's talking through the back of his head,” Riley said.
”Yeah?” Bailey said. He looked at Johnny. ”We ran into Eddie Schultz on the road. He saw the girl. He'll tell Ma Grisson.”
”If Slim's coming in on this, I'm keeping out,” Johnny said, edging towards the gun rack.
Riley pulled his .38.
”Keep away from that gun! I'm not scared of Slim Grisson. He won't bother us.”
”Slim's bad,” Johnny said uneasily. ”I know all you boys. I know when there's any good in you. There isn't any good in Slim Grisson. He's mean and bad right through.”
Riley spat at the stove.
”He's got a hole in his head,” he said. ”He's no better than an idiot.”
”Maybe, but he's a killer. He kills with a knife. I don t like guys who use a knife.”
”Give it a rest,” Riley said. ”Let's eat.”
Old Sam was serving stew onto tin plates.
”This stuff smells like G.o.dd.a.m.n cat,” he grumbled. He spooned some of the mess onto a plate. ”I'll take it up to the girl. She ought to eat.”
”It won't suit her fancy taste,” Riley said, grinning.
”It's better than nothing,” Old Sam said.
He carried the plate up the stairs and he entered the dimly lit little room.
Miss Blandish was sitting on the edge of the bed. She had been crying. She looked up as Old Sam came in.
”Here, get this inside you,” he said awkwardly. ”You'll feel better for some grub.”
The gamy smell of the stew turned Miss Blandish sick.
”No... thank you. I--I couldn't...”
”It stinks a bit,” Old Sam said apologetically, ”but you should eat.” He put the plate down. He looked at the dirty mattress and shook his head. ”Not what you're used to, I bet. I'll see if I can find you a rug or something.”
”Thank you; you're kind.” She hesitated, then lowering her voice, she went on, ”Won't you help me? If you will telephone my father and tell him where I am, you will be well rewarded. Please help me.”
”I can't, miss,” Old Sam said, backing to the door. ”I'm too old for trouble. Those two down there are mean boys. There's nothing I can do for you.” He went out, shutting the door after him.
Riley and Bailey were eating and Old Sam joined them. When they had finished, Riley got up.
”That's about the worst meal I've ever eaten,” he said. He looked at his watch. The time was five minutes after nine. ”I'd better call Anna. She'll be wondering what's happened to me.”
”You're kidding yourself,” Bailey said. ”You and your Anna. Do you imagine she cares where you are?” He got up and went over to the window.
Riley gave the operator Anna's number. After a delay, she came on the line.
”Hi, baby,” he said. ”This is Frankie.”
”Frankie!” Anna's voice was strident. The three men could hear her. ”Where have you been, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d? What do you think you're doing--walking out on me? How do you imagine I liked sleeping on my own last night? Where are you? What have you been doing? If you've been sleeping with some other woman, I'll kill you!”
Riley grinned. It was good to hear Anna's voice again.
”Take it easy, sweetheart,” he said. ”I've pulled a job-- the biggest ever, and it's going to land us in the money. From now on, you're going to wear mink, baby. I'll give you so much dough you'll make that Hutton dame look like a pauper. Now, listen, I'm at Johnny's place--the other side of Lone Tree junction...”
”Riley!” Bailey's voice was high pitched with fear. ”They're coming! Two cars--it's the Grisson gang”
Riley slammed the receiver back on its hook and rushed to the window.
Two cars had pulled up near the Lincoln. From it spilled a number of men. They started towards the shack. Riley recognized the tall, heavily built Eddie Schultz.
He spun around.
”Go up and stay with her,” he said to Johnny. ”See she doesn't make a sound. We've got to bluff these birds. Snap it up!”
He shoved Johnny up the stairs, and together they entered Miss Blandish's room. She was lying on the bed and she started up as they came in.
”There's a guy out there who's poison to you,” Riley said, his face wet with the sweat of fear. ”If you know what's good for you, stay quiet. I'm going to try to bluff him, but if he once gets the idea you're up here, you might just as well say your prayers--there's nothing else you can do.”
<script>