Authors: George Harmon Coxe

Man on a Rope (26 page)

BOOK: Man on a Rope

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He found his pack of cigarettes as the thought came to him, but as his fingers explored it he discovered it was empty. In the hope of finding a loose smoke in his pocket he groped again and this time his fingers touched tissue. Wrapped inside was the diamond Lambert had given him that first afternoon.

He had been afraid to tell Lynn about it at the time. He was still afraid. He could decide later whether or not to tell her where it came from, but at the moment the question was academic because he could not even afford to have it properly set. He left it there in his pocket. One day, when she was Mrs. Dawson, he might give her the chance to refuse it, but right now he had no intention of crowding his luck.

“What are you looking for?” she said.

“A cigarette.”

“Why didn't you say so? Here. Have one of these.”

He took a cigarette from her pack and passed it on to Eddie. “Thanks, Mr. Dawson,” Eddie said. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is wonderful,” he said and, leaning sideways, put his arm back where it belonged.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

cover design by Mumtaz Mustafa

This edition published in 2011 by
MysteriousPress.com
/Open Road Integrated Media
180 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014
www.openroadmedia.com