Read Online The Red Storm by Grant Bywaters - Free Book Online

bag with each other. One drunk had passed out on a hammock set up between two banana trees. Zella located herself near the bubbling water fountain at the center of the yard, and asked, “Butt me.” I gave her a cigarette and she took a long drag and said, “Didn’t think you’d make it. Is this business or a social call?”
    â€œI went to the room your old man was staying at.”
    â€œOh? You find anything?”
    â€œDepends on how you look at it,” I said.
    I drew out the telegram and handed it to her. She gave it a hard look. “That’s a nice riddle you got. What’d you think it means?”
    â€œI think it’s pretty self-explanatory. The telegraph said they found his Achilles heel. Bill Storm never valued his life much. The heel is obviously you.”
    â€œShould I be flattered?” she asked.
    â€œI wouldn’t be. I think he came here not to see you, but to warn you or protect you. Bill Storm was not someone to overreact or get scared off. So if he felt it urgent enough to come here, this person plays a rough game.”
    She dropped her cigarette on the ground and violently crushed what was left of it out.
    â€œOkay, if that’s how it’s going to be. I want to hire you to do some protection work for me. That is, till this thing blows over or if you can get to the bottom of it. What’d you say?”
    â€œIt might be wiser to bring some law in on this.”
    She laughed. “Most of the cops in this town are on the take or tainted. I should know. I’ve seen them take bribes from club owners to look the other way. Who’s to say they won’t do the same for this?”
    â€œIf that’s how you feel, I ain’t going to argue with you. I want to look more into this, though, and I suppose I can watch over you for a few days.”
    â€œThought you’d come around,” she said. “But I’m gonna tell it to you straight. I ain’t gonna be playing no damsel in distress. I can handle myself just fine, understand? I’m just too caught up with my singing right now to be dealing with this, and you seem to know what you’re doing without me gettin’ into your references. Besides, having a big ape like you around might put a scare in them bums that try to give me the feel-up.”
    â€œI’m going to need some money out of you up front.”
    â€œYou’re sounding a bit greedy,” she said.
    â€œI ain’t doing this work for charity. I’m going to need some money to cover expenses, at least a twenty-dollar retainer. If I don’t use it all, I’ll reimburse you the rest of it, or it can go into my fee, which is ten dollars a day.”
    â€œTen dollars a day? You’re a chiseler is what you are, mister. My plumber don’t even charge that much.”
    â€œYeah, but your plumber ain’t doing protection work. If there was chance of him being shot at or having to deal with gettin’ muscled up on while fixing your pipes, he’d be charging the same, if not more.”
    â€œFair enough. It’s not banking hours, so I’ll see about gettin’ you that twenty dollars tomorrow.”
    â€œThat’ll be fine. When do you want me to start?”
    â€œTonight. I need a lift home. Pete was going to take me, but I think he’s changed his mind.”
    *   *   *
    Her place was on Pratt Drive along the London Avenue Canal. For most of the drive she talked about her singing, and how she was close to getting signed to a record company.
    It was when we were nearing her place she said, “Oh, I forgot to tell you. I’m living with my auntie. Her name is Betty. She’s nice, but a little protective. Don’t worry about her though. She’s just old and a bit senile these days.”
    I parked the bus in front of a one-half-story Creole-style cottage that had a gabled roof parallel to the street.
    Inside the house, glass