Out of the darkness, someone called to him. The sound of the voice startled him, and he stiffened as he turned his head.
A girl stepped away from the railings of a house and came close to him. He could see the pale blur of her face and the inviting, swaying movement of her body as she came towards him.
She said in a soft, husky voice, “Come home with me, darlin’.”
Raven hated her viciously. His first conscious reaction was to smash his fist in her face. He found that he was too tired even to do that. Instead, he moved on, ignoring her.
She took two quick steps and was beside him again. “Come on,” she said urgently, “it’s just round the corner. Spend the night with me, honey. I’m goodhonest, I wouldn’t tell you if I wasn’t.”
He stopped walking and half turned. It suddenly dawned on him that she must be one of Mendetta’s whores. She was in Mendetta’s district. A murderous desire suddenly surged through him.
She came very close and put her thin white hand on his sleeve. He couldn’t bear her to touch him, and he shook her off savagely.
“What’s the matter, honey, ain’t you well?” She began to draw back, suddenly uneasy.
He looked up and down the deserted street. No, not here. He’d have to go back to her place. His thin mouth curled into a smile. This would make Mendetta sit up all right. He said, “Well, come on, then. Where do we go?”
At once she became bright again. He felt against his face her little sigh of relief. She said, “Gee! You scared me. I thought you were a cop.”