Read Online Johnnie by Dorothy B. Hughes - Free Book Online Page A

whom?”
    “Rupe and Magda. Who kissed whom?”
    “I wasn’t watching them. Maybe it was mutual.” Her mouth turned down at the corners. He recollected. “But she’d made the date and she was doing the preliminary footwork.”
    That was better. Suddenly Trudy reared back against his arm. “Just how did you get in on this anyway?”
    “Listen, babe,” he took her hand firmly, “I like that. You’re the one got me in on it. You shoved me in her room and she made me put on this fancy costume. And you ask me what I’m doing here!” He remembered again what he had to do. “Listen, I got a date downtown. I’m late now. The guys aren’t going to like it. I don’t want to break up the party but I’ve got to get back and change my clothes.”
    “What guys?”
    “Bill and Hank. My sidekicks, compadres, see? They’re waiting for me at the Astor. If you’ll just give me that address—”
    “First you have to help me get Rudo away from here.”
    “ I do!”
    “Yes, you do. We must get him back to Dorp’s before it’s too late.”
    “Too late for what?”
    She was holding his hand now. “Don’t you see it isn’t safe for him to be running around this way. It isn’t even safe to be here at Lessering’s. Any minute—”
    They’d been talking so hard neither one had noticed the balcony filling up. The speech was over. Not until the shadow of Ferenz loomed above them did they look up. The big guy was actually twittering. “Trudy, isn’t it divine? I can’t conceive of such good fortune. The announcement of Rudolph’s betrothal made here, in my home.” He squinted at Johnnie. “And who is your handsome friend, dear?”
    “One of Dorp’s men.” Trudy stood up. “Come on, Johnnie. Let’s us be the last to congratulate the hapless bride. See you later, Furry.”
    She dragged Johnnie by the hand. He muttered, “Why do you keep saying I’m one of Dorp’s men?”
    Her voice was clear if quiet. “How long would you last if I told the truth?”
    That made a second warning. He took it. “Who is that Furry?”
    “Ferenz Lessering. He’s giving the party.”
    “He’s really one of the Lesserings?”
    “Munition Lesserings? Yes. You get it?”
    Johnnie shook his dumb head.
    “That’s why Rupe can live here. Rupe’s not a queer. And that’s why Ferenz has been putting up the money for Otto and Dorp. The more little wars the merrier. Keeps the wheels of industry rolling.”
    He still didn’t get it.
    “You don’t think the Rudamians will put up with Rudolph long without having a revolution, do you? But we must get him out of here. It wouldn’t be cricket to let him be assassinated before he was ever crowned.”
    “You think there’s danger of that here?” His eyes popped.
    “This house is full of Rudamians and anti-Rudamians. The only place in New York where we know he’ll be safe is at Dorp’s. We must take him back there.”
    “How?”
    The music was playing a fairly decent swing. “Might as well dance across,” Johnnie said. He grabbed her before she could refuse. She could trundle all right. “How?” he repeated.
    “I don’t know,” she confessed.
    He didn’t bother his head about it now. Not dancing with this little honey. He didn’t even think of Bill and Hank waiting outside the Astor. He didn’t bother to think until somebody rammed a fist in his back.
    “You cannot do that,” Dorp stormed.
    “Can’t do what?” Johnnie had his own fist ready.
    “You cannot dance with Her Highness.”
    “Who says I can’t?”
    “Wait.” Trudy stopped dancing. “I asked him to dance me over to Rudolph, Dorp. We want to get Rudo out of here. Johnnie’s going to help.”
    “How?” Dorp shrugged.
    “I could throw him over my shoulder.” Johnnie was practical. “He couldn’t weigh more than a Garand.”
    “He could bite,” Trudy warned. “Have you talked to him, Dorp?”
    “He would not even listen. He is having a good time. Cock of the walk. Royal Highness this, Royal