“You have a stain on your coat, sir,” Sweeting called, leaning over the banister rail. “That brown stain. Do you see it? I have something that will take it out if you would care to have it.”
Widiout looking back, Ken increased his pace. He reached the dhrd-floor landing. The temptation to run was now too much for him, and he went down the next flight of stairs diree at a time.
He bolted across the landing, down the next flight of stairs, across the first-floor landing to the dimly lit hall. He jerked open the front door and cannoned into a girl as she was about to enter the hall.
Ken was so startled, he jumped back.
“No need to knock me over, darling,” the girl said, adjusting her pert little hat. She reached out and flicked down a light switch, flooding the hall with hard light.
She was a plump blonde with granite-hard eyes. Her black dress accentuated her curves.
“Hello,” she said, giving him a bright, professional smile. “What’s your hurry?”
“Sorry, I didn’t see you,” Ken said breathlessly. He took a step forward, but she blocked the doorway.
“Well, you do now.” She eyed him over with professional interest. “Want a little fun, baby?” She pointed to a door to the left of the street door. “Just here. Come in and have a drink.”
“Sorry; I’m in a hurry.”