The Big Sleep Page #2

He liked Shawn. Shawn Regan.

I suppose you know who he is.

You don't have to play poker with me.

- Doesn't Dad want to find him?

- Do you?

Of course. It wasn't right

for him to go off like that.

Broke Dad's heart,

although he won't say much.

- Or did he?

- Why don't you ask him?

I don't see what there is

to be cagey about.

I don't like your manners!

I'm not crazy about yours.

I didn't ask to see you.

I don't mind if you don't

like my manners. I don't either.

I grieve over them evenings.

I don't mind your drinking

your lunch out of a bottle.

But don't waste your time

cross-examining me.

People don't talk to me like that!

Do you always think

you can handle people...

...like trained seals?

I usually get away with it too.

How nice for you!

Just what is it you're afraid of?

Dad didn't see you

about Shawn, did he?

Didn't he?

Could you find him

if Dad wanted you to?

Maybe. When did he go?

About a month back.

Drove off one afternoon

without saying a word.

They found his car parked

in some private garage.

They? Who's they?

Dad didn't tell you.

He told me about Regan, but that's

not what he wants to see me about.

That's what you wanted me to say.

I'm sure I don't care

what you say, Mr. Marlowe.

I'm wasting your time.

Goodbye, Mrs. Rutledge.

Oh, Norris.

You made a mistake. Mrs. Rutledge

didn't want to see me.

I'm sorry, sir.

I make many mistakes.

- Did you find what you wanted?

- Yes, thanks.

You don't look like a man who'd

be interested in first editions.

I collect blondes in bottles too.

Can I be of any assistance?

Would you happen

to have a Ben Hur, 1860?

- A what?

- Do you have a Ben Hur, 1860?

A first edition?

No, no, the third, the third!

The one with the erratum on page 116.

I'm afraid not.

How about a Chevalier Audubon,

Not at the moment.

You do sell books?

What do those look like? Grapefruit?

Well, they look like books.

Maybe I'd better see Mr. Geiger.

- He's not in just now.

- That's a pity because...

I said, Mr. Geiger is not in!

I heard you.

You needn't yell at me.

I'm late for my lecture on

Argentine ceramics, so I won't wait.

The word is "ceramics."

And they ain't Argentine,

they're Egyptian!

You did sell a book once, didn't you?

I'll run along to the library.

Or I could go to that bookstore

across the street, couldn't I?

Do so.

Thank you.

Is there something I can do for you?

- Would you do me a small favor?

- It depends on the favor.

- You know Geiger's bookstore?

- I think I may have passed it.

You know Geiger by sight?

What's he look like?

Wouldn't it be easier to go

and ask to see him?

I've already done that.

I know anything about rare books?

You could try me.

Do you have a Ben Hur,

...with a duplicated line

on page 116?

Or a Chevalier Audubon, 1840?

Nobody would. There isn't one.

The girl in Geiger's bookstore

didn't know that.

I see.

You begin to interest me vaguely.

I'm a private dick on a case.

Perhaps I'm asking too much...

...although it doesn't seem

too much to me.

Geiger's in his early forties...

...medium height...

...fattish...

...soft all over,

Charlie Chan mustache...

...well-dressed...

...wears a black hat...

...affects a knowledge

of antiques and hasn't any...

...and I think his left eye is glass.

You'd make a good cop.

Thanks.

Going to wait for him to come out?

They don't close

for another hour or so.

And it's raining pretty hard.

I got my car and...

That's right, it is, isn't it?

It just happens I got a bottle

of pretty good rye in my pocket.

I'd a lot rather get wet in here.

Well!

Looks like we're closed

for the rest of the afternoon.

Tell me more about this business.

There isn't much to tell.

What's the matter?

I'm just wondering if you have to...

Not necessarily.

Little things like that make an...

Hello!

I hate to tell you, but that's

Geiger's car driving up.

Who's the man getting out?

Geiger's shadow.

His name's Carol Lundgren.

Thanks.

- If you ever want to buy a book...

- A Ben Hur, 1860?

With duplications.

So long.

So long, pal.

You're cute.

And you're higher than a kite.

Come on, wake up.

I know you. Doghouse Reilly.

You're cute.

What do you know about this?

Mr. Geiger, here on the floor.

He's cute too.

You got a dead man at your feet.

How did it happen?

You talk a lot, Reilly.

Come on!

Lie down there and be quiet.

All right, Reilly.

Come on, we're going.

- Good evening, sir.

- Good evening, Norris.

- I'd like to see General Sternwood.

- He's asleep.

What about Mrs. Rutledge?

Is she...?

Good evening, Mrs. Rutledge.

I've got your sister outside.

She's all right.

But she's not walking very well.

I'll need some help.

Are you sure...?

Yes, she'll be all right

in the morning.

Did you do this?

That? Oh, yes, that's

a little special service...

...I always provide all my clients.

Including being insolent.

Where did you find her?

- I didn't find her.

- Then how...?

I haven't been here, and

she hasn't been out all evening.

That bad?

Just what did happen?

- You're fond of your sister.

- Yes, I am.

- Do anything for her, wouldn't you?

- Anything.

Then drop this.

I still think I should know...

Don't even ask her.

She never remembers, anyway.

Just what did she forget

about Shawn Regan?

What'd she tell you?

Not half as much as you did.

Take it easy.

I don't slap so good around

this time of the evening.

You go too far, Marlowe.

Harsh words to throw at a man...

...when he's walking out

of your bedroom.

Good night, Mrs. Rutledge.

Thanks, Norris.

I've put her car away.

If anybody asks,

she's been in all evening.

- Forget about my being here.

- I understand.

May I call a cab?

It'd be better if you didn't.

Good night.

- Hello, Bernie. Come in.

- Hello, Phil.

Don't you go to bed?

What you been doing?

Just sitting around.

All evening?

What is it?

Does it have to be something?

You're a friend, but when

a man from Homicide...

...just drops in at 2 A.M.,

I kind of...

Working on cipher, huh?

Just fooling around.

You're working for

the Sternwoods, aren't you?

Thanks to you.

Done anything for them yet?

I started today.

Then the rain came.

All right. They seem to be

a family that things happen to.

There's a Packard

belonging to them...

...washing around in the surf

off Lido Pier.

And there's a guy in it.

- Could it be Regan?

- Who?

Shawn Regan.

That Irish ex-legger

old Sternwood hired...

...to do his drinking for him?

What would he be doing down there?

What would anybody

be doing down there?

That's what I'm going to Lido

to find out. Want to come?

Yeah, I do.

- How's the weather?

- Clearing up.

- What time did that call come in?

- About 15 minutes ago.

- What kind of car you say it was?

- Packard.

- Hello, Bernie.

- Hi, Ed.

You got him out.

Who is he?

Owen Taylor. Sternwood's chauffeur,

according to his license.

- What's the story?

- You can see it from here.

There's where he went

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