The Red Storm Read Online Free Page A

rolling tobacco with an Indian chief on the front, a pipe, lamp, dispensers made of porcelain and a ladle, items all used for opium, were scattered on top of it. Insufficient ventilated air suffocated the room. It smelled of sweat, stale tobacco, and human decay. The unfurnished kitchen had a single-burner stove that had not been in use in some time. Old newspapers and mail were stacked on top in a state of disarray.
    â€œIf I’d known you were comin’,” he said, “I’d have picked the joint up.”
    â€œSure you would’ve,” I said. “I want to talk to you, but not in here. This place is downright disgusting.”
    He led me through the back door, which went into a courtyard that was stone-walled in to shield it from its adjoining neighbors. I took a seat at a wrought-iron patio table. Lavine accompanied me, but could not disguise his annoyance.
    â€œWhat’s dis all about?”
    â€œI want to ask you a few questions,” I said.
    â€œSuppose I don’t feel like answerin’ them?”
    â€œSuppose you start thinkin’ about your health because you’re startin’ to piss me off!”
    He tried his best to not sound intimidated. “Aw, you can’t scare me. You ain’t a fighter no more! You gettin’ old and soft.”
    â€œDo I look soft?”
    â€œNo,” he said. “But you ain’t lookin’ too good either. I didn’t think you could get any uglier. All them hits to the face done a number on it.”
    â€œWe ain’t here to talk about my beauty,” I said. “You been keeping in contact with our old friend.”
    â€œWho’s that?”
    â€œYou know damn well who it is,” I said.
    â€œYou talkin’ about Bill Storm? I haven’t chatted it up with him since he went on the lam.”
    â€œStop talkin’ out of your hat, Rollie,” I said. “Storm came to see me this morning. Said someone here tipped him off about seeing his old lady. You’re the only one in these parts that would know who he is, besides me.”
    â€œOkay, so I jawed it up with him once in a while, they ain’t no crime in that.”
    â€œExcept he’s a known fugitive that bumped off two cops,” I said. “How’d you stay in contact with him?”
    â€œBy wire. I couldn’t mail him nothin’ because he’d move around so much, and he never left no forwarding addresses. He’d just send me a wire from time to time, askin’ about things. I told him how I thought everyone here was crazy, but you got to be crazy living in a city that’s six feet below the river.”
    â€œNobody asked you to come here,” I said.
    â€œYeah, I know that. Storm said the same thing. He also asked about you.”
    â€œWhat’d you tell him?”
    â€œNothin’ much, seein’ as you don’t ever talk to me. I told him you turned shamus. He didn’t believe me at first.”
    â€œOf course he didn’t,” I said. “You told him you saw his girl on Canal. Is that legit or was it a ploy to get him to come out here?”
    â€œIt’s on the cuff. I met her before she took off. Real fine piece of leg, but I told Storm she can’t be trusted, and he best keep her on a leash or somethin’. I wasn’t surprised when she ditched him. That’s just women for you. They ain’t worth trustin’ at all.”
    â€œYou sound like you’re talking from experience,” I said.
    â€œI am. See, I learned real fast about dames. Did you know I was married once?”
    I shook my head. I was married once too in what now seemed like another life. I tried to picture what she looked like, but couldn’t. Too many hits to the head, perhaps.
    â€œYeah, it was a long time ago,” he continued. “I was just nineteen, and she was a real catch, if you get what I’m sayin’. But when we got hitched things were different.