Read Online April Evil by John D. MacDonald - Free Book Online

Myrtle Beach and then you can come back here all … refreshed.”
    “You’re a cold bastard, Mooney.”
    “Do you mean I don’t pant and sigh and promise undying love and devotion? Then you’re right. I don’t. I make a flat offer.”
    As he finished his drink he became aware that she was looking at him strangely, her head tilted a little bit to the side, her forehead slightly wrinkled.
    “What’s up?”
    “You’re cold, Mooney, and you’re shrewd. Maybe you could give me an idea or two on my problem. It might mean some money for you. Maybe a lot of money.”
    “They call me honest Mooney.”
    “It would be honest, practically.”
    “Anything where I get a lot of money isn’t going to be honest.”
    “It could be, you know.”
    “Dishonesty is risk. I don’t take risks.”
    “No risks.”
    “So then pour another drink. I’ll listen. What is your problem?”
    She looked at him and seemed to be making up her mind about something. “Does Dil expect you right back?”
    “That I can check. Where’s the phone?”
    “Through there, on the right.”
    He went in and dialed the agency. When Clara answered he thickened his voice and added a touch of cracker. She told him Mr. Parks had left for the day. He told Lennie that.
    “Maybe he’s coming back here.”
    “No. He told me to tell you he’d get a ride to the Shermans’ party later on. That’s why he had me bring the car out. So you can get there.”
    She nodded. “Then you’ve got a little time?”
    “All the time we need.”
    “I’m all sticky from that lotion. I want to feel clean. You make another drink, Mooney. Make me one too and bring it on in.”
    He made the drinks. Just as he finished he heard the dull roar of the shower. He carried the two drinks down a hallway. The bathroom door was ajar.
    “Where do you want your drink?” he yelled.
    “Bring it in.”
    He took a deep breath and pushed the door open. It was a transparent glass shower stall. The hot water had steamed the glass. He could not see her clearly.
    “Give me a sip.”
    She opened the glass door and put her head out. He held the glass to her lips. His hands were shaking. She smiled at him. “Ever scrub a back?”
    “On special occasions.”
    “This is special, Mooney.”
    He was dubious. He felt that this was another form of torture. He suspected that she would change quickly and start laughing at him again. He told himself not to hope. He was dubious for some time. He even had faint misgivings when he carried her, dripping wet in his arms, her head nestled into thehollow of his throat, into the next room. But then the last faint doubt was gone, very thoroughly and completely erased from his mind. She had all the talent he had anticipated and more. After a long time he began to hear the surf again, and the thin harsh gull cries, and the sputtering sound of a light low-flying plane. He went to his clothes and got cigarettes on request and brought them back to the bed. At the next request he put on his shorts and shoes and went to the bathroom and got the two drinks. They needed more ice. He added more bourbon when he added ice. He took them back to the bedroom. She had put on a skirt and she was hooking her bra. Her hair was tangled and her face had the soft look of satiety. She sat on the dressing table bench and began brushing her hair as he finished dressing.
    She began to talk about her problem. He listened carefully to all of it.
    “I heard about the money. Those things get exaggerated, Lennie.”
    “Darling, this is true. It really is. But no lawyer will touch it. Uncle Paul’s contacts are too good. He’s too respected. They won’t admit he’s insane.”
    “And this Preston pair—they’re cutting you out.”
    “I’m afraid so.”
    “I’m no lawyer.”
    “I know that. But you’re shrewd, darling. You know people. You know how to handle people. I’ve thought of all kinds of wild things. Now I need ideas. I want you to have some ideas.”
    “What kind