Serenade - James M. Cain [69]
"In the lobby?"
"Yes sir."
"What does he want?"
"...Mr. Sharp, Tony put through three calls today for this new party, Mr. Hawes. They were all to the immigration service. Tony remembered the number from a year ago, when his brother came from Italy. Tony thinks this man is a federal, come to take Miss Montes away."
"Is Tony on?"
"We're both on. Get back in there, Mr. Sharp, before this Hawes gets tipped off. Get her out of there, and have her press the elevator button twice. Either me or Tony will get her out through the basement, and then you can stall this guy till she gets under cover. Tony thinks his people will take her in. They're fans of yours."
I had a wad of money in my pocket. I took it out and peeled off a ten. "Split that with Tony. There'll be more tomorrow. She'll be right down."
"Yes, sir."
"And thanks. More thanks than I know how to say."
I stepped back in. I took care to be stuffing the telegram in my pocket as I came. Winston jumped up from where he was still galumphing around the floor, and came over. "What is it, Jack?"
"Just some greetings from Hollywood."
"Bad?"
"Little bit."
"Well, what is it? By God, I'd love to wake the sons-of-bitches up and tell them where they get off."
"Wouldn't wake them up, that's the trouble. It's only ten o'clock there. To hell with it, I'll tell you later. And to hell with bullfighting. Let's dance."
"Dance we shall. Hey, professor--music!"
Pudinsky began to bat out more jazz, they grabbed each other, and I grabbed Juana. "Now get a grin on your face. I've got something to tell you."
"Yes, here is nice grin."
I laid it out for her fast. "This Pudinsky thing is nothing but a smoke screen. He's turned in an anonymous tip against you, then you're to be taken to Ellis Island, then I'm to run to him for help, then he's to move heaven and earth--and fail. You're to be sent back to Mexico--"
"And then he gets you."
"So he thinks."
"So I think, too."
"Will you for God's sake stop that and--"
"Why you tremble?"
"I'm plenty scared of him, that's why. Now listen--"
"Yes, I listen."
"Get out of here, quick. Get out on some stall so he thinks you're coming back. Change your dress, pack, as fast as you can. If the buzzer rings, keep still and don't answer. Go to the elevator, ring twice, and the boys will take care of you. Don't call me. Tomorrow I'll reach you through Tony. Here's some money."
I had palmed the wad, and slipped it down the back of her dress. "And once more, step on it!"
"Yes, I step."
She went over to Winston. He was sitting with Pudinsky, the fern leaves still in his hair. "You want to play real bullfight, yes?"
"I just thirst for it."
"Wait. I get things. I come back."
He showed her out, then came over to me. "Lovely girl."
"Yeah, she's all of that."
"I've always said there were two nations under every flag, male and female. I wouldn't give a damn for all the Mexican men that ever lived, but the women are marvelous. What saps their painters are, with all that beauty around them, to spend their days on war, socialism, and politics. Mexican art is nothing but a collection of New Masses covers."
"Whatever it is, I don't like it."
"Who would? But if they could paint her face, that would have been different. Goya could have, but those worthy radicals, no. Well--they don't know what they miss."
I went over, sat down and watched them dance. They were getting lit by now, and it was pretty raw. I wished I had fixed up some signal from the boys, so I would know when she was out. I hadn't, so all I could do was sit there. I was going to wait till he missed her, then go down to the apartment to find her, then come back and say she didn't feel