5 Detective Novels Magazine Cover — page 26: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

26 the address wrong. That is, unless you’ve heard of someone named Albert Moore.” + do not remember the name,” he sa “Well, don’t feel badly. I doubt if Mr. Albert Moore remembers his own name. Call the cops if you like. I’m Johnny Craig, a lawyer, if they want my name. They know me all right.” “Somebody,” the pawnbroker said plaintively, “is crazy.” “Yeah—that would be me,” I told him. “I’m getting over it fast, though. So long, and I hope I didn’t damage your bowling ball.” I decided I’d better do something about all of this—before they tried to get me again. Next time, they wouldn’t figure me as being quite so simple. I headed for the Admore Apartments where Cora Kane had said she lived. Maybe that was a fake, too, but I doubt- ed it. The cops had been there to ques- tion her. | It was a nice place. Nothing fancy like doormen or lobby attendants, but the building looked clean and the neigh- borhood was okay. The kind of apart- ment house where second-string actors and actresses might live or successful career girls. Maybe professional men with their families. I’d have liked to live there myself. Cora’s name was on one of the mail boxes, and I took the self-operated ele- vator to her floor. I rang the buzzer, heard her coming to the door. She didn’t register the slightest surprise when she saw me. “Johnny,” she said in a warm, friend- ly voice, “come in. When did they let you out?” I grinned. “Don’t make it sound as if I’d just served a prison rap, baby. After all, the most they could make of it was manslaughter.” She wrinkled her nose. “You’re mak- ing fun of me, Johnny.” She closed the door. “Sit down. I’ll mix you a drink. Scotch on the rocks, isn’t it? Just like last night?” “Yeah,” I said. “Just like last night.” Presently she handed me an old-fash- ioned glass holding a cube of ice sur- rounded by good Scotch. I took a sip and looked at her with frank admira- FIVE DETECTIVE NOVELS MAGAZINE tion. She was wearing a hostess gown with a zipper than ran all the way down the front. The gown was full and hid her shape. That I didn’t like. “I’m glad you dropped in,” brightly. “So am I. After all, though, I was bound to come back, wasn’t | Bagge “T hoped so, J ohnny” I threw the rest of the Scotch into my throat, put the glass down, walked over, and lifted her out of her chair. I pulled her to me roughly and fiddled with the zipper. I said, “You’re wonderful, baby. I ean’t forget last night any more than you can.” I gave the zipper a good solid tug. she said HE pushed me away with surprising strength, spun around, and pulled the zipper up. I stood there, smiling, when she faced me again. I said, “Okay, baby, I only wanted to see what you would do. I guessed right.” She stepped further back. have to be so hasty.” “Cut it out, Cora. It worked with the cops but it won’t work with me, be- cause I’m the little man who wasn’t here—remember? I know the truth, and it doesn’t include your allowing me to pick you up and spend any part of the night with you.” “So that’s your angle,” she said slow- ly. She started making with the sex again. “If I have to prove—” I said, “Lay off, baby. I’m not claim- ing I’m crazy enough to turn down some- thing like you, but not this time. Some- body must have an awful lot on you, Cora,” “Nobody has anything on me, at at I don’t know what you’re ‘talking about,” she said. I moved in fast, grabbed her. The gown was partway open then. I bent her back and plastered a rough kiss on her lips. They didn’t respond. She was trying hard but she couldn’t quite make it. I let go of her, walked to my chair, and sat down with a loud and raucous laugh. “You act a good bluff, baby, but when there’s a showdown you just aren’t there. Now what’s this all about?” She angrily yanked the zipper up, “You don’t ANICLOOO (CO .S (C(O)