A Key to the Suite Read Online Free Page B

better plan worked out, and wouldn’t want to try anything like this. But I figured it wouldn’t do any harm to check it out before he gets here, so it could be lined up in case.”
    “This man you want should have a fine time—young?”
    “Early thirties.”
    “That makes it a little rougher, you know. Married?”
    “Yes.”
    “That’s a small help, usually. There would have to be some good reason for having the girl there, you know. Have you thought of that?”
    “Yes, as we’ve been talking I’ve thought of it, but it would have to be a cover story that would fit the girl, Alma.”
    “You know, you’re always just a little sharper than I expect you to be, Freddy.”
    “Should I say thanks?”
    “While we’ve been talking, dear, I’ve been weeding out. I have a very lovely little friend who might work out just right. But it would depend on how she takes to it. She’s kind of complicated. She’s certainly not what you’d call obvious. Sometimes she’s more trouble than she’s worth. Now don’t get nervous, dear. I don’t mean she gets taken drunk or neurotic. I mean she’s too damn selective sometimes. And stubborn as can be. But let me put it this way, Freddy. For any truly high-level guy wanting to meet a nice little friend, I’d have every confidence in Cory. Her name, dear, is Corinna. But then, how many high-level guys are ever in need?”
    “Jesse is in need.”
    “In another way, of course. But when can you let me know for sure?”
    “Before four o’clock this afternoon. Will that be okay?”
    “That will be fine, Freddy dear. But this business about a favor for dear old Jesse has nothing to do with … your little token of gratitude for setting it up.”
    “You know I wouldn’t try to short you, Alma.”
    “I think you might try, but it wouldn’t work. I should warn you, dear, the whole thing might work out a little high.”
    “A lot of little things can get buried in a convention tab.”
    “If you tell me it’s a deal, we’ll set it up over the phone where Cory should meet you for the briefing. Okay?”
    “That would seem to do it, Alma. I’m sorry I woke you up.”
    “I’m glad you did, really. You know, I ought to feel a little angry with you, Freddy. I haven’t heard from you in ever so long. Way last Christmas, wasn’t it?”
    “Yes. I remember. It’s this way, Alma. There was this merger, over a year ago, and things have got pretty tightened up. They put in these damn control systems, and it clamps down on me, so I don’t get the chance to operate like in the old days. I mean it would have to come out of my pocket, and that sort of slows me down. Even that deal last Christmas, I could only swindle half the tab, so it was a calculated risk.”
    “But weren’t they darling girls?”
    “They sure were.”
    “Weren’t the men some kind of politicians?”
    “A special purchasing commission from Alabama. The deal was to get the low bid thrown out so we’d be the ones to get it.”
    “And you did?”
    “Sure enough, Alma. So I got the rest of the fee back out of my override, and it worked out. But I don’t think it’s ever going to get back to the way it was back in the good old days when Jesse was down here in my job and I was working for him.”
    “It’s the way everybody is cracking down on expense accounts, Freddy, and believe me, it’s put the bind on my business. I’m down to about a third, honestly. Those
were
the good old days, I guess. Remember when Jesse had that special sign made up for me? For my desk? Technical Consultant—Sales Staff—American General Machine—Southeast District. I’ve still got it around here someplace. You know, aside from the laughs, I’mawful damn grateful to Jesse on another count. In fifty-one, it was, he started me in buying AGM. Before that all I ever bought was government bonds. For three years I bought AGM, and then it started to look as if I had holes in my head. Honest to God, Freddy, two years ago it