Miss Callaghan Comes To Grief

Little Joe said uneasily, “There'll be a hell of a row about this.”

“Aw, shut up!” Lefty snarled. “It's time we got tough in this burg. I've been fed up just hangin' around chasin' dames off the street.”

“Where the hell's it goin' to get us?” Little Joe said, heading towards the St. Louis Hotel. “Ain't we got enough dough?”

Maltz said very softly, “Turnin' yellow, Joe?”

Little Joe said hastily, “No. I was just wonderin'.”

“Well, don't wonder, then.”

They drove the rest of the way in silence.

Raven was waiting for them. His thin, wolfish face was hard and set as they came in. “Well?” he said.

Lefty nodded. “It's okay,” he said. “Nobody saw me.”

Raven took a turn up and down the room. “We're goin' to get goin' now,” he said. “Grantham's been in.

He's yellin' about bad business. I want you and Maltz to come with me. We're goin' to look Mendetta's houses over.”

Lefty nodded. “I've got the list of dames in each house,” he said. “Shall I bring it along?”

“Of course.” Raven went to the door. “Let's go.”

In the car Lefty said, “Carrie's house is the best one.”

Raven nodded. “We'll go there.”

When they ran up the steps the negro Joe thought they were the cops. He rang the alarm bell. Carrie appeared on the scene, her eyes snapping with fury. When she saw Lefty she ran towards him. “What the hell's this?” she said angrily. “Do you want to ruin my business?”

Lefty pushed her on one side. “Keep your chest in place,” he said. “The big shot's come to look the joint over.”

Carrie turned quickly. She had never seen Raven, although she had heard a lot about him. She said, “You can't come in here. I've got my customers to think of. The girls are busy.”

Raven looked her up and down. “Clear all your customers out,” he said shortly; “I want to look the girls over. Come on, jump to it.”

Carrie said, “Like hell I will. You come in the morning.”

Raven looked at Maltz, who swung his fist, hitting Carrie very hard on the side of her jaw. She went down in a heap on the floor.

“You heard me the first time, nigger,” Raven said.

Carrie got slowly to her feet. A livid mark showed on her yellow skin. She turned and went away slowly.

Raven said, “The girls I select will be taken to Franky's place. The other girls can pack up and get out. Do you understand that?”

Maltz nodded. He went to the front door and signalled.

A large van drew up to the kerb and four men got out. They stood waiting.

It was early. There were only three clients in the house. They came downstairs, looking scared.

Raven opened the door for them. “It's all right,” he said with his crooked grin. “Just checkin' up. You boys can get off home.”

They looked at him furtively and left quickly. Carrie stood at the bottom of the stairs, waiting.

Raven nodded at her. “Bring all your girls down here fast,” he said.

Carrie went upstairs again. A few minutes later she came down, followed by seven lightly clad girls.

Raven went into the reception−room. “Come in here,” he said.

The girls all looked at Carrie, who was nearly speechless with rage. “Go on in. Didn't you hear him?” she snarled.

The girls went into the room and stood staring at Raven. Lulu fluffed up her hair. “Take me, darlin',” she said. “I'll show you some tricks.”

The other girls giggled.

Raven said, “Shut up!” Then he turned to Maltz. “Are they all here?”

Maltz took out his list and checked the numbers. “One ain't,” he said briefly.

Raven looked over at Carrie. “I said all of them.”

Carrie hesitated a moment, then went upstairs again. After a few minutes Sadie followed her down.

Raven's eyes lit up a little when he saw her. This one was good, he told himself. When he looked at her he saw her go suddenly very white and her step falter. Carrie took her arm and shoved her forward. She muttered something that Raven didn't hear. He made a mental note to look into this. Sadie stood beside the other girls, her dark eyes big with fear, gazing steadily at Raven. It made him a little uncomfortable.

He looked away from her. “I've got somethin' to say to you girls,” he said abruptly. “I'm Raven. I run this racket. There's goin' to be some changes. Get into a line, you girls. Snap to it!”

A little buzz filled the room as the girls stared at him. Maltz stepped forward. “Quiet,” he said loudly. “Get into a line. Go on, damn you, get into a line!”

They slowly formed into a line and stood giggling and nudging each other.

Raven lit a cigarette. “Take your things off. All of 'em. Your stockings as well.”

“I ain't takin' orders from a bum like that. What's the game, Carrie?” Lulu shrilled.

Raven made a little sign to Maltz. Maltz stepped forward and dragged Lulu out of the line. He slapped her twice across her face with his open palm, before she could dodge, and then he shoved her back into the line again.

She was so dazed by the heavy blows she could only rock on her heels, blinking away the tears that had started to her eyes.

Raven said, “The next dame who cracks wise will get a boot. Get undressed.”