He stood in the middle of the room, his ears intent, listening.
She said, “Come on, darlin’. Don’t stand there.”
“You alone up here?”
“Sure, we won’t be disturbed.”
Still he stayed listening. She said again impatiently, “What is it?”
He chewed his lower lip, looking at her thoughtfully, then he said, “Mind if I look?” and went out, throwing open the other doors without entering. He glanced in the other two rooms, satisfying himself that they were empty.
She followed him into the hall. Her face was hard and her eyes glittered angrily. “What the hell do you think you’re doin’?” she snapped. “This is your room here. The rest of this joint is privatedo you get it?”
Raven again felt like smashing his fist in her face, but he held himself in. “Okay, okay,” he said, walking past her into the bedroom.
She shut the other two doors and then followed him in. Once more her lips broke into her professional smile, but her eyes were dark and suspicious. She said, “Come on, darlin’. Let’s get it over.”
Raven took off his hat and ran his fingers through his short, wiry black hair. He sank on to the bed, which gave under his weight.