Read Online Color Him Gay: The Further Adventures of the Man from C. A. M. P. by V. J. Banis - Free Book Online Page A

they were alone in the room, “Why didn’t you let me know you were in town? Is this a vacation, or are you working on something?”
    â€œWorking,” Jackie assured him. “And in need of a little assistance.”
    â€œWell, pour your mother a cup of coffee,” his guest said, discarding his pose of a helpless old man and behaving like the flaming queen he was, “and tell me what I can do for you.”
    Jackie explained as he poured the coffee from the pot that had been supplied by room service. “First thing, I’ll need some cash, a hundred thousand dollars, to be specific.”
    The gray eyebrows shot up. “Heavens, extravagant little thing, aren’t you?”
    â€œCharge it to our office, Rich will clear it. And I want a homing device planted in the money. I’ll leave that up to you how you hide it. Then I’ll need a car, one that will pick up the signals.”
    â€œAnything else?”
    Jackie considered the matter for a moment. He could be walking into a lion’s den. It would be comforting to know that someone else was on hand to help out if the going got too rough. That could mean scaring off his enemies, however.
    â€œI guess that’s it,” he answered finally. “Can you get them to me here by this afternoon?”
    â€œThe garage man is an old friend. I’ll talk to him. You call down this afternoon and say you’d like to rent a car. He’ll see you get the right one.” He finished his coffee and left a few minutes later.
    Jackie waited until the man had ample time to leave the building before he called room service to remove his tray. Then he dressed and went out himself. There was nothing more to be done until afternoon and he might as well take advantage of the opportunity to see a little more of the city.
    He paused in the lobby, near a counter where fresh flowers were on display. With a grin he approached the woman there and ordered two dozen roses sent to Bruce at his apartment. He wrote the note himself, thanking Bruce for a lovely evening and expressing his wish that they might get together again. He sealed the note, leaving it to be sent with the flowers, and left the hotel whistling.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    He enjoyed a harmless bout of sightseeing and returned to the hotel shortly after lunch. He was surprised and puzzled to find a message for him, asking him to call a Mr. Benton at another hotel. The name meant nothing to him, and aside from Bruce or someone from C.A.M.P., he could not imagine what reason anyone in the city would have for calling him.
    He waited until he was in his room before placing the call. There was a brief delay while the other switchboard rang the correct room and then a familiar voice answered.
    â€œDingo,” he said, amazed.
    â€œJackie?” It was indeed Dingo Stark’s voice on the other end of the line.
    â€œWhat the hell are you doing in town?”
    â€œI had my manager arrange it so I could see you,” Dingo explained, speaking quickly. “I’ve got quite a bit to tell you. Can you come by over here for a visit soon?”
    â€œI’ll be there in fifteen minutes,” Jackie said. He hung up the phone and was on his way at once. Dingo had not sounded very happy over the phone and it would have to be something important that had made the singer risk coming here, to San Francisco.
    Dingo greeted him at the door, his expression a mixed one of relief to see Jackie, and obvious concern,
    â€œWhat’s up?” Jackie asked, coming into the hotel room.
    â€œSeveral things,” Dingo said quickly. “In the first place I thought you’d want to know I found Steve. Jackie Holmes, this is Steve Simon.”
    Jackie stopped as the young man rose from the chair in which he was seated and stepped forward, his hand extended. Dingo had described Steve properly as delicate and fragile. His blue-black hair, neatly combed in contrast to Dingo’s unruly