Sunday morning breakfast turned out to be quite an occasion. Nancy made the coffee. She’d always been able to entice the percolator to do its best. Since our divorce, my breakfast coffee had never been quite the same. I broiled the steaks, fried the eggs, fixed the potatoes and the toast. Nancy had a half-pound top sirloin steak. I needed a pound and a half.
After we’d put that away, sitting at the kitchen nook next to the rain-splattered window, I brought out the champagne I’d had in the refrigerator. As I set out the two glasses and began unwrapping the tinfoil from the neck of the bottle, Nancy said, “That is indeed an occasion.”
“It is. A month ago I bought the champagne. To celebrate my admittance to the Bar. To celebrate it with you, Nan.”
“Sometimes I wonder if we should have gotten a divorce, Link.”
“Any regrets?”
I was pouring it into the two glasses. Her dark eyes were thoughtful. She said, “Not if you’ll let me come and sleep with you, Link.”
“Isn’t it any good with anyone else?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’ve never tried it.”
“Well, cheers,” I said. “Thank you for coming by last night. I really needed you, Nan.”
She was out of her chair, coming towards me and then her arms were around my neck. Even with our robes, I could feel her heat and softness against the front of me. She kissed me long and passionately before she stepped away again and took her glass from my hand.
“That was to let you know how much I needed you, Link.”
After we’d settled in the breakfast nook again I said, “You’re very complimentary, Nan. I appreciate it. It gives me a lot of confidence.”
She had been staring down at her champagne.
Without looking at me she said, “I wish I could give you that in the Sarah Leighton matter.”
It was the first time I’d thought about it since I’d staggered into the apartment and found Nancy waiting for me. Damn those two guys. The moment I thought about them again I decided that Lee Harmon had hired them. Instead of going to San Francisco, he’d probably gone to. his office. Maybe he’d returned and seen Bonnie taking me up to his apartment. Just to confuse the issue he’d instructed the two guys to include both Bonnie and Honey in the warning.
Or did Honey have a boyfriend who’d seen us going up to her apartment? I tried to fit that encounter in with the murder of Sarah Leighton but there seemed to be no connection. At this point I wasn’t bothering anyone. And I certainly wasn’t finding out who’d murdered Sarah.
Or had I? Was it possible that unknowingly I’d already met and talked to the murderer of Sarah Leighton? Lee Harmon? Bonnie? Honey? Now I told Nancy, “I don’t want you to worry about it, Nan. Maybe Jenks was right, I’ll just sit inside, out of the rain, and let the police take care of it.”
“No!” Nancy said, and there was a little anger in her voice. “I know you, Link, and you’re not the type that would do that. And I wouldn’t want you to.”
I sipped champagne. Then I said, “You’re sweet, Nan. Sexy, too, and you have a lovely-”
“Wait a minute!” she interrupted. “I just thought of something, Link.”
I leered at her. “Whenever you’re ready -“
“Now be serious! Link – I know a woman, she works for the agency once in a while. She’s an artist, free-lance, but occasionally we have her do some work for us. Why don’t you go see her? She lives in Malibu. I even remember her address.” And then Nancy gave it to me.
“What does she have to do with the Sarah Leighton murder7”
“Nothing! But maybe she can give you some information – the leads that you need. Her name is Nora -“
“A brunette?” I interrupted.
“Yes,” Nancy said cagily. “As a matter of fact, she is. Do you know her?”
I figured I did. Vaguely I remembered hearing Sarah at the restaurant mention that Nora was an artist. Now why did Nancy suddenly bring her into the whole mess? “I guess not,” I said, lying the best I could. “The Nora I know is a redhead.”
“She might be able to give you some good leads, Link.”
Damnit! Why did Nancy have to bring up Nora’s name! Was Nancy involved in the Sarah Leighton thing, too, and was she trying to throw me off the track? No, not Nancy, the woman I’d always found to be honest in everything she did. I stared down at my champagne, trying to figure out why Nancy had even mentioned Nora’s name.
I asked, “Why should Nora be able to give me some good leads, Nan?”
Nancy drained her glass of champagne and then got to her feet. “I can’t say any more, Link. With the agency relationship and all, I think you’ll understand my position. I think I’ll get dressed. I must be getting home.”
She departed to the kitchen and then I was stung there by myself, watching the bubbles in the champagne as I poured myself another glass.
Damn that Nancy! She was just like a woman. If she’d been my wife I would have beat the hell out of her. Funny, but if you’re old friends, you don’t do things like that. So what in the Hell had she meant that Nora might give me some good leads?
I brooded about it, sipped the rest of the champagne and peered out the window at the rainy world.
“Well, take care of yourself, Link.” Nancy had just stepped into the kitchen.
She was fully dressed, and looking very slim and elegant in her boots and rain coat.
“More champagne, Nan?” I slid out of the breakfast nook and stood up.
“No, thank you. I’ve got a lot of things to do today. Tomorrow is Monday, another working day.”
She was looking at me. With the dark blue eyes and the jet black hair framing her face, she was truly very lovely. I’d loved her because of that, once. Maybe I still did. No, she was only a very good friend. I couldn’t hold a grudge.
Last night had proved it.
“Thanks again for coming by,” I said. “You’re all right, Nan.”
She smiled. “One of these days this young attorney won’t have time for me. But until then, I’ll be dropping by. Cheers, Link.”
She turned on her heel and walked out of the kitchen. I could hear her muffled footsteps as she walked through the front room, and a second later the door opened and closed.
Less than fifteen minutes later I’d finished the champagne while I’d dressed.
Now I was stepping out of the apartment again, locking the door behind me. I dashed through the slashing rain to my car and slid behind the wheel.
The seat covers were covered with mud and water; but I didn’t pay any attention to that. I swung away from the curb and headed for Malibu. While I was driving, I was already thinking about Nora, recalling the way the mass of dark hair had been piled on top of her head and the way her hips swayed when she walked.
I wondered whether she’d even let me into her house. She did!
In the pouring rain, with the thick mist swirling in from the ocean, I’d leaned long and hard on the doorbell. The door opened almost immediately.
“Come in out of the rain, please,” Nora said.
I stepped inside and she closed the door behind me. Beyond her I could see the flames curling around the real logs in the fireplace. The windows facing the Pacific were huge but it was like peering into a mass of steam. That held my attention for only a moment. Now Nora got all of my attention.
Her perfume was dusky and subtle, not heavy, but it seemed to cling to me and to tickle my nostrils. She was wearing a white silken robe and it contrasted wonderfully with her rich brown skin. Her dark hair was a mass of shining strands built upon a well-shaped head.
She stood almost regally in front of me now, with her head held erect, the dark massacred eyes studying me warily. “And to what do I owe this pleasure?” she asked.
“I got lost,” I said. “With the rain and fog, and all, your door looked like a friendly port in the storm.”
“Then I’m honored. Scotch is your grog, I believe?”
“Right again.”
“Sit down, Lincoln. I’ll bring out the welcome wagon.”
The moment she’d disappeared I shrugged out of my trench coat and settled onto the couch. From one of the other rooms came the sound of the clink of glasses and the breaking of ice cube trays. After a couple of minutes Nora returned.
She was pushing a tea wagon that was loaded with ice, glasses, and booze.
She said, “You don’t really need to take scotch, if you’d like something else.”
“Don’t change now.”
“Very well.”
Expertly she fixed two drinks and then she brought a glass over to me. As I got to my feet sue said, “Please don’t get up, Lincoln.” She extended a slender bare leg to show me that she wasn’t wearing shoes. “I like to live informally.”
And with that she took her glass and slid into an easy chair on the other side of the room. It was a production. As she leaned back in the chair she crossed her legs seductively. The hem of her robe scarcely covered her knees. They were smooth and rounded.
Obviously the belt around her slim waist was the only thing that held the front of her robe together. There was a slit at her waist that widened as it traveled upwards. By the time it came even with her breasts it had widened to from a provocative V. The valley of her chocolate breasts was clearly visible.
After taking a sip of her scotch she said, “It must be very lonesome for you, since Sarah left for Europe.”
“Yes,” I said. “That’s why I’ve been out in the rain. I was taking a ride.”
“She’s a charming girl,” Nora said. “It won’t be long before she’ll be a successful actress.”
“How long have you known her, Nora?”
“Bow long?” She laughed huskily. “Probably forever, and yet, not really long enough.”
As I watched her she turned slightly in her chair, then recrossed her legs again. The movement had been deliberate. With the eye-shadow and the way she was watching me through the dark lashes, she gave the impression of a cat watching its prey. More than a cat, she reminded me of a tigress.
She’d crossed the right leg over the left one; and the right bare foot with the dark tinted toenails was moving slightly, like a cat twitching its tail and getting ready for the kill.
I said, “That’s about as long as I’ve known her, too.”
“Obviously she made quite an impression on you, Lincoln.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
After she’d taken a good sip of her drink she said, “Of course, you always make a good impression.”
“Watch it,” I said softly. “Especially if you’re all alone with me in this house.”
“I am. This is my private lair.”
She put down her glass and then got to her feet. It was a cat like movement, quick and graceful. She padded across the carpet and then she bent over the coffee table, reaching for a cigarette and lighter.
Before I could get to my feet to light her cigarette, she’d already straightened up with lighter and cigarette in her hand. All that activity had loosened the belt around her waist.
The two ends of the belt were hanging limply from the loops at each hip. The front of her robe was open, exposing about six inches of skin and darkness right down the front of her. The nipples were still concealed but her breasts were mounded majestically, full dark ones and then there was the rest of her, lush, exciting, and inviting attention.
I knew I was staring hungrily at her but I couldn’t pull my glance away. My skin was on fire and the moistness flooded the inside of my mouth. It had been bad enough the night I’d watched her walk through the restaurant. Now I couldn’t stand it. Maybe she saw the heat in my eyes. Maybe she read my thoughts.
“Oh,” she said suddenly, as though she’d just realized what had happened.
Deftly she pulled the front of her robe together and knotted the belt.
A second later she was sitting in her chair again.
“We’re not quite that informal around here.” Then she lit her cigarette.
On weak legs I backed up and sat down, still feeling the rapid pumping of my heart. “Take it easy, Nora. I haven’t been feeling too good.”
“Oh? Have you been ill?”
“No,” I said. “You know. how life is – it had its hard knocks.”
“Yes,” she said. “But I’m sure you can take care of yourself.”
“I get by,” I said.
“I’m sure you do,” she purred. It was very complimentary.
“I understand you’re an artist, Nora.”
“I dabble. Would you like to sit for me sometime?” Her eyes slitted and she tipped her head to one side and studied me for several seconds. “Yes,” she added. “I’d like to get you into my studio.”
“I get awful cold with out my clothes, Nora.”
She laughed softly. “I would Imagine exactly the opposite.”
“Why don’t we find out now?” I asked.
I figured I might as well stop horsing around and get down to the basics. Ever since I’d arrived she’d been offering herself, no matter what I talked about.
She’d done a great job of heating me up and I’d gotten to the point where I couldn’t take much more.
After she’d studied me for a long moment she put down her cigarette and drink.
In one fluid motion she came out of her chair and walked towards me.
Softly she purred, “First let me feel your bone structure.”
“That’s a good idea,” I said, coming to my feet.
Her hands came up, reaching for my head; and I let her feel the outline of my skull. “You might be better in clay. I sculpt too,” she said. Her fingertips had hit the sore spot at the back of my head but I gritted my teeth so that I wouldn’t react to her touch. There was pain but I wasn’t even thinking about that. I was looking downward, right into the front of her robe. As she’d brought up her arms it had opened again, so it of billowed out, and both of her breasts were in full view.
They rode high on her chest, dusky mounds that were beautifully proportioned and firm. The dark nipples were snuggled up against the inside of the robe; and while I watched I could see them brushing up against the robe’s whiteness as she moved her hands about my head. Her perfume was clogging my nostrils, a strong animal scent that shot the blood into my loins.
“Yes,” she said softly, “you’ll do very well.” Her hands came down to my waist.
“Let me check the rib cage.”
As her hands slipped underneath my jacket I could feel their heat seeping through my shirt. It was more than heat, it was like little jolts of electricity each time she touched me. I began fidgeting, both because of the pain from my bruises and the excitement that pounded through me.
Gently I unknotted the belt of her robe and then I slid my hands onto her hips and pulled her towards me. She was completely bare in the front now; and I had to have her dusky bareness jammed up against me. Roughly I slammed her against the front of me, my mouth trying to hit hers. Her strength surprised me.
She broke out of my grip and then her right hand slashed downward, the fingernails scratching the side of my face. “What are you doing?” she demanded angrily.
“Nora -“
“Please leave immediately! I’ve never experienced such vulgar rudeness!”
The bitch!
That was the way she got her kicks, I figured. Sucker a guy along until he made a pass at her, and then she used her claws on him. Maybe she used a whip, too.
It didn’t matter what she used. I didn’t want any part of it.
She was still pouring it on, telling me what she thought of me as I went over and got my coat. As I picked it off the chair she was already opening the door; and the sound of the rain was filling the house.
“Get out!” she said angrily.
The second my hands touched the coat I saw the key laying on the floor, next to the leg of the chair. It looked like her house key. It had a thin strand of wire attached to a piece of heavy paper. On the paper was written the same number as her house number.
I let my coat slip from my fingers and then I was bending down to pick it off the floor. Quickly I straightened up again, the key in my fingers and my hands and the key covered by my coat.
I marched towards the open doorway and walked right by her without glancing at her.
“And I never want to see you again!” She emphasized it by slamming the door shut.
I raced through the rain for my car and got into it. While I was driving back to my apartment I realized that I hadn’t been able to ask any of the questions that had brought me out to see her.
I’d wanted to find out whether she might know any of Sarah’s friends or enemies. Not only that, I’d hoped to discover why Nancy had asked me to go see Nora.
I rubbed my cheek with the back of my hand and saw the little streaks of blood.
The only thing I’d accomplished was getting clawed by a tigress.
As I continued through the rain, the advice of Jenks seemed to make more sense every minute. Stay at home and let the police take care of their investigation.