Read Online Fast Buck by James Hadley Chase - Free Book Online

had the same blue eyes, the same shaped face.
    ‘Before you go, I wonder if I could possibly ask a favour of you,’ Gil is said, smiling. ‘If you hadn’t been a member of the club I wouldn’t dream of mentioning this, but I’ve stupidly forgot en my wal et, and until my friends arrive I’m stuck for money. I suppose you couldn’t lend me ten dol ars for an hour or so?’
    ‘Why, sure,’ Dal as said, concealing his surprise. ‘I’d be glad to.’ He took out his wal et, extracted two fives and handed them to Gillis. ‘I’m in no hurry. Let me have it the next time we meet.’
    Gillis slipped the bills into his pocket.
    ‘I can’t thank you enough. As soon as my friends arrive I’l pay you back. Thanks a lot. It’s real y very kind of you.’
    ‘Forget it,’ Dal as said, moving towards the door. ‘I’ve forgotten my wallet myself before now. It’s no joke to be stuck for money.’
    They walked back to the bar.
    ‘Don’t let me take you away from Zoe,’ Gil is said as they entered the bar. ‘I’l buy myself a drink and wait for my friends.’
    Dallas spotted Eve Gillis standing with Kile at the bar. She was wearing a sea-green backless evening gown, cut so low in front that he could see the deep furrow between her breasts.
    He nudged Gillis.
    ‘Some girl,’ he said under his breath. ‘Some dress she’s nearly got on.’
    Gillis looked at Eve, who glanced at him and then looked away. Neither of them gave any sign of recognition.
    ‘The club is noted for its beautiful women,’ Gil is said indifferently. ‘But you should remember, in the dark, one woman is very much the same as another.’ He gave Dal as’s arm a friendly pat and walked over to the bar, where he climbed up on a stool within a few feet of Eve and Kile.
    Dallas returned to where Zoe was waiting for him, and sat down.
    ‘Sorry to have been so long,’ he said, smiling at Zoe, ‘but I got caught up with the blond profile. He has quite a way with him, hasn’t he?’
    Zoe’s pert lit le face hardened.
    ‘That cheap chisel er?’ she said scornful y. ‘Al he’s got are his looks, and they won’t last him much longer from the way they’re wearing. Did he try to bite your ear?’
    ‘He did more than that; he succeeded to the tune of ten dol ars. At the moment he’s buying a double whisky with the proceeds. How do you like that?’
    Zoe stared at him.
    ‘Wel , you don’t look a sucker,’ she said. ‘For heaven’s sake, why did you give it to him?’
    ‘Oh, I felt sorry for the guy. He was in a bad way for a drink, and I hadn’t the heart to refuse him,’
    Dallas said, shrugging. ‘Besides, he said some nice things about you.’
    ‘Did he?’ Zoe said scornfully. ‘He once gypped me out of fifty bucks: the lit le rat!’
    Dallas was eyeing Eve as she stood at the bar.
    ‘That’s a nice shape that girl’s wearing, or maybe you wouldn’t have noticed.’
    Zoe looked Eve over critically.
    ‘She’s good,’ she said grudgingly. ‘At least she doesn’t have to wear falsies. In case you don’t know, she’s his sister, and it’s my bet they’re two of a kind. She was in the Fol ies for some time until she decided she could get along just as well in a bed.’
    ‘His sister?’ Dal as said, pretending to be surprised. ‘They don’t act that way.’
    ‘Maybe she doesn’t want to introduce him to Kile,’ Zoe said indifferently. ‘She’s Kile’s mistress, and she’s welcome to him. How about another bot le of champagne? I’ve a thirst that’d slay a camel.’
    ‘Sure,’ Dallas said, wondering what Purvis was going to say when he put in his expense sheet at the end of the week. ‘Everything I have is yours, honey.’
    Zoe gave him a suspicious glance.
    ‘That sounds as if you haven’t so much,’ she said, signalling to the barman. ‘How about buying me a dinner, if you’re going to be al that generous?’
    ‘Just a figure of speech,’ Dal as said hastily. ‘Maybe I’l buy you dinner tomorrow