As he reached the opening into the alley and started toward the street, another car was stopping. Shayne dropped back into the shadow of the hedge as the lights on the car went out. Then he heard footsteps coming toward him and Rourke’s loud whisper, “Mike, where are you? I brought the car over to this side.”
“Here.” Shayne leaped forward, and Rourke jerked the rear door open, Shayne awkwardly crammed the body inside, and Rourke looked on, shaking his head in disapproval. He muttered, “She looks like country come to town for fair. First time I ever realized how indecent a gal could look without make-up. Hair stringing down around her face and no nail polish—” He shuddered and averted his face.
“Don’t forget she’s been hitting a fast pace since she was murdered,” Shayne growled. “You can’t expect her to be in the best of trim.” He slammed the door shut, swore when her dress caught in the hinge and wouldn’t let it latch. He leaned in to throw the hem back out of the way, and Rourke whistled shrilly.
“Lookit! That dress is all she’s got on. Not even any pants.”
“This,” said Shayne, “is a hell of a time to get technical about a thing like that.” He slammed the door shut again and shoved Rourke under the wheel, ran around to jump in beside him. “Get moving,” he panted. “As far as the bay, then south.”
The short-wave radio came to life again as the car surged forward. Both men bent their heads to listen.
“Calling car sixty-three. Car sixty-three. Go back to your position. Disregard previous instructions. Disregard previous instructions. Body of young woman floating in the bay has been cared for. Emergency ambulance answered call. That is all.”
Shayne sat erect and emitted an explosive sigh. Rourke laughed shakily. “God! What a coincidence. I needed a diaper while I was waiting for you back there.”
Shayne said musingly, “I wonder if Phyl will like me with gray hair. By God, I can’t—”
“Careful of your language, there,” Rourke interposed. “We have a lady with us.” Then his bravado cracked. “I can’t stand much more of this, Mike.”