Chapter 5

The girl was Leslie Sayer, a living, platinum-angel, with all of the proper physical attributes in the right places, enough ordinarily to cause him to blow his gourd, Jamey Halo was thinking as he went on talking to her young husband, Mike, his new caretaker... except that today, he wasn't himself. His abortive attempt at making love to Susan the night before had not only left him frustrated, but it had stripped the veneer of his pride right to the quick, and he would've been happier had the Sayers waited another day or two before moving in.

As it was, he'd been drinking since morning, and it was now moving toward late afternoon; the fact that he wasn't stoned out of his mind surprised him; he'd consumed damned near a fifth of vodka, besides getting little sleep the night before after the disaster with Susan. Somehow, he had to rectify that, if only she'd give him an other chance. Damnit, he was certain she wanted him, and God knows, he was crazy about her... if only he could get his mind straight.

Jamey kept thinking these things as he showed the Sayers through the bungalow they would occupy. He tried to concentrate on their conversation but it was almost impossible. Certain things registered, however. Mike was a student at Parksburg City College, athletic, good-looking, in his early twenties, while his luscious young bride of two-months stayed home and played housewife... There was something interesting there when he got around to think about it... home all day... convenient as hell and just about his own age... he'd get to that in due time, but he didn't want to clog his mind with her at the moment. Later... and he left them smiling after him.

Back at the plush main-house, he made himself another tall one and slumped into a chair. If only he didn't have that godamned heavy gambling debt to Bovino hanging over his head, he could concentrate all efforts on Susan... and maybe get a piece of her daughter Nadine as a bonus. Hell, there was no question in his mind but what she had a case on him... and that little minx was nothing short of breathtaking. But it was Susan he wanted for keeps; he was clear in his head, about that; she flipped him... Nadine would just be a sweet taste of dessert now and then, was all. Christ, what a perfect set-up it'd make.

Godamn that Bovino! He'd bet his ass those dice were shaved, his wheels rigged... how else could he have lost so much, so quick? Eighty-five grand... Christ! He'd been stupid... drunk and out of his mind, which didn't mean a damn to Max Bovino. All he wanted was his cash, and Jamey knew from rumor that he had nasty methods of getting it... or else, Silk Weaver, that perverted bastard and a couple of his muscle-boys paid you a visit.

God knows, he couldn't take a chance like that... having his face roughed up, or losing a few teeth. His whole career depended on his looks.

If only he wasn't in so damn deep to Hazen Parker, his agent, he could've raised the cash there. But Haze had cut him cold; he owed him twenty-five Gs as it was, and Parker had been emphatic about no further advances, at least, until they started shooting next season's Gallant Rangers series, and that was better than a month away.