He said furiously: “You’re double-crossin’ me!”
I grinned down at him and walked him away from the back door towards the big room. “I got you into here to see the Colonel,” I said. “Well, you’re goin’ to see the Colonel… that’s all.”
I heard a door shut behind me. If Ackie hadn’t barged in I’d have seen her. I loved Ackie a lot right then. He tried to turn but I still held him tight. I shifted my grip a little and suddenly put on some pressure. He gave a squawk.
“You’re breakin’ my arm,” he howled.
I said evenly: “I’d like to break your neck.”
Faintly I heard the door of the car slam and the sudden sound of a car accelerating. Ackie opened his mouth to yell, but I clapped my hand over it.
“Shut up!” I said sharply. “You start anythin’ an’ I’ll smash you.”
I waited out in the hall until I, was sure she’d got away, then I released him.
He stood glaring at me furiously. “What a pal,” he spluttered. “Think you’re gettin’ that hundred? What a laugh.”
“Now listen, Mo,” I said quietly, “there is more in this than meets the eye… you’re right. But it ain’t the sort of news you can print. If I’d let you go ahead just now your rag would be up to its ears in a libel suit. A libel suit with Kennedy on the wrong side would put your crowd out of business. If you’re a good boy and keep your trap shut, I’ll give you the inside dope… it ain’t to be printed, though.”