The Dark Corner Page #5

The grass always looks

like it's been left out all night.

- Can I drop you anywhere?

- No, thanks, I have my car. Good night.

Good night, Hardy.

- Scarsdale.

- Yes, sir.

How long will it take to trace that number?

He's working on it.

He'll call me back in a minute.

- Stop looking at me like that, will you?

- Like what?

As if I belong in a test tube.

Look, a guy named Jardine's afraid of me.

He put a tail on me the other night.

I think he tried to kill me tonight.

He'll go on trying. Now are you satisfied?

No. I wanna know why.

I had a private agency in San Francisco.

This guy Jardine was my partner.

He was a... barrister.

Swift cookie with the women.

They came in coveys.

He worked his charm,

and he worked a little blackmail on the side.

I didn't wise up until I caught him stashing

away dough that belonged to the firm.

I called him on it. He promised to cough up.

We drove out to his place in Burlingame

to get to his private safe.

Along the road he slugged me,

wet me down with Scotch,

set me behind the wheel for a takeoff.

I hit a truck, killed the driver.

Manslaughter.

Two years, less time off for good behaviour.

Jardine had a fixed alibi.

It wouldn't break and it wouldn't bend.

That's the last I heard of him,

until White Suit showed up last night.

Now you know why.

All except why you wouldn't tell me before.

A guy likes to hold his head up...

not look like a chump.

That's not the real reason. Come on, say it.

You're not so tough, Brad.

You just think you are.

I've cracked you wide open and you know it.

(phone rings)

Hello?

Yeah.

What's the address?

Right. Yeah. Thanks.

Oh, Tony.

(Jardine) Darling.

- You're taking quite a chance, aren't you?

- He won't be back for hours.

Anyway, I'm at the point

where I don't care any more.

I'm glad, darling.

- I'll get you a drink, hm?

- Please.

It's so strange, Tony.

He loves me, gives me everything

a man can give a woman.

But still it isn't enough. It isn't enough, Tony.

I know, dear. I know.

Here you are.

Why, you're upset, darling.

Why don't you drink that down?

Cigarette?

Tony, I tried.

I made a bad bargain

and I tried to stick it out with him.

But I just keep sitting

listening to his paintings crack with age.

I want you to take me

away with you, Tony. Please.

Look, Mari. Hardy can afford you,

but he doesn't make you happy.

I love you, but I have no money.

Tony, darling. What does that matter?

I have already borrowed money from you.

Do you think I want to go through life

being taken care of like a pet poodle?

Darling, we have my jewels. They're yours.

You're taking them for me, for my sake.

- Darling, I wanted you to say that, but I...

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