She went very white when he took the knife out, but she didn’t faint.
He said, “That’s fine. I’ll get you a drink. Just lie quiet.”
He rang down to Harris. “Listen, bud, I’ve had a little trouble on up my floor,” he said, when Harris came on to the line. “Will you come on up and keep an eye on me?”
Harris said, “What sort of trouble?”
“Now don’t start askin’ questions, come up an’ bring a rod.” He hung up with a grim little smile.
He fixed Sadie a drink from the small flask he always carried around with him, and then went out into the corridor to meet Harris.
Harris came up at a rim. His big face was alight with excitement. “What is it?” he asked.
“If this guy Cruise shows up I want you to tell him that some hood tried to stab his wife. Tell him the cops took both of them down to the station. For God’s sake don’t let him know I’ve got her in this room.”
“I can’t do that,” Harris exploded; “it’ll cost me my job.”
“Do it,” Jay said shortly; “this guy won’t go near the cops, I’m sure of that. If he gets an idea that I’ve got her here he’s goin’ to get very tough. If you do this I’ll give you twenty bucks.”