When she had gone into the other room someone knocked on the outer door. I thought it was the porter, so I just yelled out for him to come on in. The door opened and Blondie stood there.
I’ve had some shocks in my time, but this one rang the bell. I couldn’t say anything.
She stood there, looking at me, her eyes cold and suspicious. “Movin’ out, huh?” she said.
“What the hell do you want?”
She sidled into the room. “You don’t sound so pleased to see me, darlin’,” she said. “Didn’t you say to come when I had somethin’ to tell you?”
Keeping my voice down, and hoping Mardi wouldn’t hear, I said, “I ain’t interested any more. You scram quick. I’ve had enough of your outfit for life.”
Just then Mardi came out. Blondie looked at her the same way a snake might look at its Christmas lunch. “So,” she said.
I love a dame who talks like that.
Mardi went white. Not paper-white, but the blue-white of porcelain. She put one hand to her mouth and flinched away from Blondie.
I said sharply, “Leave me for a moment. There’s no need for you two to meet.”