Read Online Kiss and Kill by Ellery Queen - Free Book Online Page A

eye. “Room 312. Clarisse Engblom .” It was too clumsily close for coincidence.
    â€œWe’ll take the rear room,” said Barney. “No luggage, so we’ll pay now.”
    On their way upstairs Barney explained to Ed what he had seen on the register. He made Ed pass the door of room 312, drawing him a few yards down the hall.
    â€œWe don’t want to spook her into running. Any ideas?”
    Ed was excited. “Slide a note under the door telling who we are?”
    â€œWould you believe a note, after what we’ve run into?”
    â€œNo, I suppose I wouldn’t. They’ve got transoms over the doors, though, if that’s any help.”
    â€œGive me a boost up. I’ll take a look.”
    Barney saw an open suitcase, looking very expensive and out of place on a lumpy bed. It contained cosmetics, sheer underthings, and other articles of clothing that looked equally expensive. On the window ledge stood an ashtray full to the brim with cigarette butts. But there was nobody in the room.
    Abruptly, he heard the shower hiss. He motioned Ed to let him down.
    â€œShe’s in the bathroom. Taking a shower. Stand there so I can’t be seen from the elevator.”
    From his pocket he drew a penknife with a length of flexible steel in place of a blade. He inserted the steel in the keyhole and moved it carefully, listening to the tumblers. The shower made a reassuring background noise. He kept expecting it to stop. But it did not. She must be awfully damn dirty, he thought.
    At last he got the lock to turn over. “Wait here, Ed. If you hear anyone coming, knock twice, pause, then twice more. Otherwise, follow me in in ten minutes.”
    He drew his gun, slipped into the room, and tiptoed to the bathroom. He threw open the door fast, and instantly knew he had pulled a booboo. The shower hissed into an empty stall, and a voice behind him said:
    â€œDon’t move or I’ll shoot.”
    It was a throaty female voice, unexcited and convincing. Barney stood still.
    â€œClaire English?”
    â€œAs if you didn’t know.”
    He said with a grin, turning his head ever so little, “You fooled me, Miss English. I mean, turning on the shower.”
    â€œI was about to take one when I heard you start picking the lock. So I hid in the closet instead. Now don’t try to stall me in conversation—and don’t move!”
    â€œMiss English, I’ll explain why …”
    â€œâ€”while your friends move in? No, thank you.”
    â€œI’m Barney Burgess—”
    â€œAnd if you make a sudden move, or anybody comes through that door, I’ll shoot.”
    Barney did not care for the flutter of hysteria he detected underneath the calm voice. He began to develop an itch in the small of his back. What happens when Ed dutifully opens the door and steps in?
    â€œYou’ve got me, pal,” he said lightly. “I’ll be a good boy.”
    â€œIf that’s supposed to put me off my guard, forget it.”
    Thirty seconds slogged by. Barney began to sweat. The woman had no idea what to do next. He said: “Suppose I lay my gun down on the floor and step into the bathroom with my hands up. Is that all right?”
    Silence. She was examining his suggestion for pitfalls. Finally her voice said, “All right. But if you have any idea you can whirl and shoot before I squeeze this trigger, I advise you to forget it. You’ll be dead.”
    Barney was very careful. He bent at the knees slowly and laid his gun like an egg on the floor. He straightened up in slow motion and advanced into the bathroom inch by inch.
    â€œIt it all right if I turn around?” he asked, stopping.
    â€œYes. I want to see what you look like.”
    It was a shock to both of them. She was naked, and he saw at once that she had forgotten she was naked. The short-barreled .32 in her left hand began to tremble.
    It was the same slender figure he had seen