on her hand. An untouched daiquiri was at her elbow. Joe drank it and she sat up.
Shermond and Naomi were elbowing their way toward the table Smoke swirled overhead like heavy mist. Naomi smiled at Milly, who merely glowered sulkily. Joe said, “Do you know these people, Milly?”
Milly got up shakily. “Sure. Little sister Naomi and her lap dog,” and moved unsteadily away, holding on to the backs of chairs for support. Naomi’s smile was innocent.
“I don’t think Dick’s fiancêe likes me very well.”
Joe raised an eyebrow. “So she’s the one.”
Naomi was shedding the slicker. Her lips came down in a grimace. “Oh yes. Didn’t you know? It’s part of the pressure he’s putting on Uncle Park . . . and me,” she added under her breath.
They sat down. Joe eyed Naomi thoughtfully. “When is this to be?”
Naomi shrugged. “Oh, he’s been threatening to do it for the last six months. It’s just another of his wild ideas. She’s probably his ‘secret weapon.’ ”
Joe was angry again. Parker Raleigh hadn’t bothered to mention that small item. Small hell! Just an example of his expert side-stepping. No telling how much more he’d skipped. He shrugged. Good thing Van Pelt had hinted at it. He scowled and said, “How about a little drink?”
Naomi grinned. “A very good idea.”
Shermond looked at her reproachfully.
“Please, dear, why do you come to these dreadful places?” He turned sharply as he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Richard Raleigh.
“Why the hurry, Charles, my boy?” He lurched and brought the ends of his mustache up for Naomi’s benefit. She half rose from her chair. Richard waved her back and looked at Joe. “Did Milly introduce you folks?”
Joe said, “In her own sweet way.”
Dick slid into a chair and looked around stupidly.
“Where the hell did she get to?” he growled.
Naomi shrugged and motioned across the room.
“Looks like your future helpmeet found more desirable company. More of them anyway.”
Joe had seen her at the same time. She was holding on to the back of the chair Dick had occupied at Shasta’s table. The dapper Italian had risen and appeared to be arguing with her. He had her by the arm. Dick got up and said angrily, “By heaven, I’ll break that greasy Dago’s neck!”
Naomi started to protest, but at that moment Milly jerked away from Shasta and started drunkenly across the crowded floor. Dick met her halfway and led her back to his table. She didn’t sit down. She was watching Joe under her sultry lids. The girl turned toward him slowly, still staring. Suddenly, before any of them realized what was happening, she flung the cocktail she had picked up into Joe’s face. It was followed by an ashtray which missed. She did better with Richard’s fountain pen. It caught him squarely in the mouth. Ink splashed his shirt front. For the second time that day pens had been used as missiles. This time the ink was green.
Richard acted fast. He had Milly’s arm behind her. She struggled and shrieked, “He’s a gol darned lousy detective!”
Joe got up wiping his face with his napkin. The crowd stopped swaying and the band struck up a louder note. Dick said, “Let’s get out of here quick.”
Joe was speechless. He knew his identity had been exposed somewhere along the line, but he hadn’t been prepared for anything like this. He picked up the fountain pen and dabbed at the ink with his napkin. He drank Shermond’s drink, then Naomi’s. His voice when he spoke to Naomi was hoarse. “Your little brother’s suggestion was pretty good. Let’s get going.”
Shermond had disappeared in search of his car. Raleigh had ordered his sent over from a parking lot. Milly was ominously quiet. Cooking up more trouble, Joe thought. He decided to take a hand. The situation needed a little ironing out. He moved closer to Dick.
“I don’t know what this is all about.” He nodded toward Milly. “I have no intention of getting mixed up with family squabbles. I think I’d better clear out and spend the night at a hotel.”
It was a good try and Raleigh followed through.
“Take it easy, South. Don’t let a little disturbance upset you. Naomi and I have had a disagreement, but then we always disagree. As for Milly, I should have known better. Three drinks and she accuses LaGuardia of being on Mussolini’s pay roll.”
Milly jerked away from Dick, “It wasn’t my idea,” she spat. “One of your . . .” Dick slapped a hand over her mouth.
He said, “Keep your sweet little trap shut, darling.” His lips were smiling, but under the green light his eyes were dangerous.
Joe grinned. It was all clear now. He grunted as Dick took his hand away from Milly’s mouth and turned to him.
“Let’s get out of this, South. Maybe we can get straightened out in a quieter place.” He looked at Naomi. “What about it, kid?”
Naomi’s smile reminded Joe of the cat with yellow feathers on its whiskers. She said, “Anything you say, Dicky.”
With Milly between Joe and Richard they drove North on Lexington in Raleigh’s coupê. Shermond followed in his shabby sedan with Naomi. Milly had apparently forgotten her resentment. Joe accepted the insistent pressure of her knee as a bid for amity. He was perfectly willing to forget it.
A block from the Harlem River they stopped in front of a small café. The metal sign swaying in the rain announced that Rupperts could be had there. Shermond’s car drew up behind.
The bartender, a fat Syrian with a dirty apron shielding his paunch, nodded to Dick as they took their seats. His little pig eyes were watchful. The only other occupants of the room, a man who looked like a Portuguese and a skinny negress, were drunk. Their voices rose shrilly.
Dick turned to South.
“You are a detective, aren’t you?”
Joe lighted a cigarette and blew smoke into Shermond’s eyes. He said, “You work fast, Raleigh. How about a ham sandwich?”
Dick signaled the bartender. Then he said impatiently, “Don’t try to kid me, South. You left the club to investigate my friends, didn’t you?”
The detective shouted to the bartender, “Put some mustard on it.” Then to Richard, “Friends?”
Richard grunted.
“This is all so damned silly. You’d think I was a one-year-old. Naomi, is this your idea or Uncle Park’s?”
Naomi’s eyes were mischievous. She reached over and touched his hand.
“Darling, it was part mine and part Uncle’s. If you hadn’t insisted on not letting me in on the fun I’d never have gone to Uncle Park.”
Dick’s mouth was tight. He snapped.
“You
