I dumped the suit-case down and glanced over at Blondie. She seemed to be enjoying herself.
“Well, for God’s sake,” I said, “can’t you keep out of my place when I’m busy?”
Ackie shook his head. “You may have to thank me,” he said. “Don’t bother to introduce us, we’ve already done that.”
“So I see,” I said sourly. “You might keep your trap shut about this… I don’t want the whole town talkin’.”
Ackie grinned. “Hear that?” he said to Blondie. “You’d think he was a saint, wouldn’t you?”
Blondie liked to see me getting fussed. “He ain’t no saint,” she said, bringing her arms and shoulders into view.
“Come on, Buddy,” I said, “you an’ me will have a little talk outside. The lady wants to get up.”
He was obviously reluctant to go, but I got him outside at last.
“Well, well,” he said with a leer, “I shouldn’t have thought it of you.”
I was pardonably annoyed. “I can’t explain just now,” I said heatedly. “But for Gawd’s sake keep your trap shut about this. You recognise that dame?”