She shrank back nervously. He crossed the room in a couple of big strides and came close to her, extending his big paws and dragging her to him. One hand closed on her breast, squeezing it painfully through the fabric of her gown. She heard his harsh breathing, felt his big fingers trying to work their way through the fabric to the warm flesh beneath. She struggled to get away from him and finally succeeded. She stepped back, breathing hard.

“I didn’t bargain for that,” she snapped. “I don’t like to be pawed.”

He looked hurt. “Aw, don’t be so sensitive,” he crooned. “I ain’t hard to take. You’ll do all right with me, Terry.”

He reached out for her again, pulling her roughly toward him. Again the big hand groped for her breasts. She felt the thick fingers probing down through her neckline. His lips were against hers. She wedged her hands against his shoulders and tried to push him away, but it was like trying to push a mountain.

He was trying to get his hand between her breasts. When he came up for air from the kiss, he was panting harshly, like some bestial creature.

Suddenly the door opened behind them. Carrol released her instantly. Terry saw Lola standing in the doorway, veering drunkenly from side to side.

“Don’t be a louse, Buck,” Lola said in a wobbly voice. “Maybe the kid don’t want to play games with you. You ever figure on that?”

Carrol was furious. “Who the hell said you could come bustin’ in here?” he growled.

“I wanted to talk to you. I got something important to say to you.”

“How many times I told you never open that door when it’s shut?” Carrol stormed.

Lola was too drunk to care. “I wanted to talk to you.”

“Later.”

“Leave the poor kid alone.”

“Christ!” Carrol bellowed. He threw up his hands. “Who you think you are, telling me what I can do and what I can’t?”

16

16

Terry didn’t wait around to see what would happen. She slipped past Carrol, through the open door.

She found her bag in the hall where she had left it. She picked it up and hurried out, through the front of the saloon. The girls looked at her in astonishment as she rushed quickly past them.

“Hey, Bright Eyes!” the dark one snickered derisively. “How come you’re quitting so soon?”

Terry didn’t bother to answer. There was a cab on the corner. Terry gave the driver her address. She opened the window and the cool air rushed in, calming her a little. Still she sat on the edge of the seat, thinking frantically.

When she returned to her apartment, the first thing she did was to telephone the office of the Gazette and ask for Lowry. It took a couple of minutes till they found him. Finally he picked up the phone.

“Lowry speaking.”