Read Online He Won't Need it Now by James Hadley Chase - Free Book Online Page A

the bowl on the floor and dropped the towel into the water. He squeezed the towel and began wiping Duffy's face with awkward care. He was as tender as a woman to Duffy.
     Duffy said suddenly, “Hi, you rat, be careful of my nose.”
     McGuire said, “You don't call that a nose any more, do you?”
     When he cleared the dried blood away, he took the bowl into the bathroom and changed the water. Deep down, a burning anger smouldered against those who had done this to Duffy. McGuire was one of those guys who made few friends, but when he had picked one, he stuck. He was, on the surface, casual and a great kidder, but he'd stick like a burr and fight once he had found a friend. Duffy and he had knocked along together on the Tribune for some little while. They had quarrelled, kidded and doubled-crossed each other, but let anyone else start anything then they'd side up together and beat hell out of the intruder.
     He filled the bowl with water again and walked back to Duffy.
     “For God's sake, you must be losing your grip or something,” Duffy mumbled from the couch.
     “What now?”
     “Listen, dimwit, instead of pulling this Flo Nightingale act, what the hell's wrong in giving me a drink?”
     McGuire put the bowl down on the table. “You're right,” he said. “This business startled me.” He went over to the wagon and poured out two stiff Scotches. He was going to hold the glass to Duffy's mouth, but Duffy took the glass from him roughly. “For the love of Mike,” Duffy said, “don't you think I can help myself to Scotch?”
     They both felt better after the drink. McGuire said, “Was that some woman you brought home who set about you like that?”
     Duffy put his glass on the floor and sat up very slowly. He put his hands over his groin and his mouth twisted. McGuire watched him uneasily. “You all right?”
     “Sure, I'm all right,” Duffy said. “I'm fine.”
     “All right, tough guy, but you can take it easy for a moment. Here, lie back, will you?”
     Duffy swung his feet over the side of the couch, then he stood up. As soon as his legs had to take his weight, he bent in half. He would have fallen forward if McGuire hadn't taken his arm.
     “I'm getting soft, I guess,” Duffy said, sweat starting out on his face.
     McGuire led him back to the couch and sat him down.
     “Quit this stuff,” he said impatiently. “Lie down, or I'll smack your ears for you.”
     Duffy sank back on the couch. He was glad to.
     McGuire poured him out another Scotch, and after that he felt his strength coming back.
     “Suppose you tell me what happened?”
     “Sure. I ran into three toughs who pushed me around.”
     McGuire shook his head.
     “Do you want me to call in the cops?”
     “This ain't for the cops.”
     “Okay, what now?”
     “What's the time?”
     “It's getting on for ten o'clock.”
     Duffy groaned. “What a hell of a night I had,” he said, resting his head on his hands.
     McGuire went over to the telephone and dialled a number. Duffy watched him curiously. He heard the line connect with a little plop, then McGuire said, “Sam here, honey.” Then, after a pause he went on. “This crazy loon's got himself into a jam. You ought to see him. Gee! He look's terrible. Yeah, someone pushed him around. Well, I don't think he's capable of taking care of himself, so I'm bringing him right round to you. Fix up the spare bed for him, will you?” He stood listening for quite a while, then he said, “Coming right now,” and he hung up.
     Duffy said heatedly, “If you think you're going to turn that wife of yours loose on me....”
     “Pipe down,” McGuire said sharply, “you're doing what you're told. Listen, you small-time prizefighter, you come on your feet or you