I Hold the Four Aces Part 9

They could hear Hinkle clearing up in the kitchen. The moonas reflection on the lake, the mountains outlined against a star-filled sky and the scent of flowers made this a night for romance.

Later, Grenville, who was listening intently, heard Hinkle close the kitchen door and walk off to his room at the far end of the villa.

aLetas look at the film.a They went into the living-room and Grenville turned on the TV set.

aIall be back in a moment,a and he went out into the lobby, closing the living-room door. It took him only a few moments to draw the bolts, undo the safety chain and unlock the front door. Then he went into the toilet and flushed the cistern. He looked at his watch. Another hour!

He returned to Helgaas side, his heart beginning to thump, and stared sightlessly at the lighted screen.

All he could think of was that in an hour, an explosion would occur that would alter his whole way of life.

Fortunately, the film had a grip, and Helga was interested. She was completely relaxed, holding Grenvilleas hand, lying back in her chair, only one lamp to light the big room.

On the overmantel was an illuminated clock, and Grenville kept looking at it.

As the hands of the clock moved to 23.00, the door jerked open and two men, wearing hoods, guns in hands, burst into the room.

chapter six.

Archer looked at his strap watch. The time was exactly 23.00. At this moment, he thought, Segetti and Belmont would be entering Helgaas villa.

The two men had arrived at Archeras rented villa at 22.15 as arranged. They had shown him the two black leather hoods and two automatic pistols. Archer, who had served in the Army, knew about small arms and he examined both pistols, making sure they were unloaded. He again emphasized there was to be no violence.

aRather than that drop the plan,a he said. aYou will be paid just the same. Do you understand?a Segetti, grinning, said there would be no problem.

aAnd bring my friend back here. Donat speed. We donat want trouble with the police,a Archer went on.

When they had gone, he paced the small living-room, his eyes continually on his watch. If all went well, they should be back with Grenville by 23.30. If all went w e l l .

Archeras suitcase was packed. He was ready for a quick take-off if something did go wrong. When dealing with a woman like Helga, one just couldnat be sure. On the face of it, providing Grenville had really sunk a hook into her, she would pay up, but there was this steel in her that Archer had already encountered that made him wary of her.

He thought back to the time when he had tried to blackmail her and she had trapped him in a cellar of the Castagnola villa. Even when he thought he had had the last laugh on her, she had beaten him, and from that moment, he had become one of the shabby, fringe people, always scratching for money.

His face hardened. When Grenville arrived, and when he had been a.s.sured the kidnapping had succeeded, Archer intended to call on Helga. It would be his moment of triumph, and he would take his revenge for what she had done to him.

Again he looked at his watch. 23.20. By now, if all had gone well, they would be on their way back.

He thought of Hinkle. There could be a dangerous man! He had met him from time to time when Hinkle had been Herman Rolfeas personal servant, and he knew that Hinkle had disliked him, and that in spite of Hinkleas deceptive appearance he had as much steel in him as Helga had, and that was why Hinkle had come to admire Helga so much. They were two of a kind.

Was that the sound of a car approaching? Archer went quickly to the front door and opened it. The headlights of a car made pools on the road, but the car drove past. It was a warm evening, and the moon rode high. Breathing unevenly, Archer stood on the doorstep, waiting and listening. Several cars pa.s.sed, then he saw the Mercedes. He drew in a sharp breath as the car pulled up outside the villa.

Grenville was the first to get out of the car. He came quickly up the path.

aAll right?a Archer asked, a little breathlessly. aPerfect.a Grenville laughed. aCouldnat have been better!a aGo inside. Iall take care of these two,a Archer said, suddenly feeling ten feet tall.

Segetti and Belmont came slowly up the path. Archer wanted to be rid of them. Hurriedly, he took six one-thousand franc bills from his pocket.

aAny trouble?a he asked as Segetti approached.

aNo, sir,a Segetti said. aJacques gave your message. The lady seemed impressed. No problem.a aAll right. Hereas your money. Forget about this,a Archer said. aNow get off to Geneva.a Segetti paused to count the bills in the light of the moon, nodded, then said, aOkay, sir. Weall go.a Archer watched them climb into the VW and drive away, then going into the living-room, he found Grenville sitting in an armchair, smiling.

aIt was a beautiful job,a Grenville said.

Archer opened a bottle of whisky he had bought on the way to the villa and poured drinks.

aTell me about it.a Grenville sipped his drink.

aI got rid of Hinkle around nine oaclock. Fortunately, there was a good film on television so I suggested Helga and I should watch it. While she was settling herself, I went out into the lobby and unlocked the front door. She thought I was taking a leak. At exactly eleven oaclock, just as the film was finis.h.i.+ng, these two burst in. They were impressive.a Grenville laughed. aFor a moment, they startled me. You should have seen what they did to Helga. She flipped her lid. One of them told her it was a s.n.a.t.c.h and she would get a ransom note tomorrow. He was really very convincing. He had a voice that could cut up rusty iron. He just yelled at h e r . frankly, he rather shook me. He was really very convincing.a Grenville laughed again. aHe said if she called the police, did anything until she was contacted, she wouldnat see me again. She just sat there turned to stone. I started protesting, but they shoved me around a little, and then, with a gun stuck in my back, they hustled me out. It was all over in five minutes.a He drew in a long, deep breath. aNow Iam free! You know, Jack, she really was getting too much for me.a aNever mind that,a Archer said sharply. aAre you sure you really have a hook in her, Chris? This is vitally important. If you havenat, she could call the police.a Neither of the men knew nor even suspected that as soon as the VW had rounded the bend in the road, Segetti had slammed on his brakes, and Belmont, acting on Bernieas orders, raced back to the rented villa. Moving like a shadow, he went around to the back door, forced the flimsy lock with a small jemmy he had with him, and moved, silently, into the kitchen. The door stood ajar and the living-room door was also ajar. He was in time to hear Grenville say, aHook in her? My dear chap, itas not a hook, itas a harpoon. I wish you could have seen her when those two shoved me out of the room. She looked stricken: old, faded. I really did a job on her,a and he laughed. aBelieve it or not, we spent a dreary evening discussing our honeymoon plans!a aGood! Excellent!a Archer rubbed his hands. aWe are nearly home. Tomorrow, I will call on her. This is a meeting I have been dreaming of for many months. It will give me the greatest pleasure.a aThereas one thing I want to talk to you about, Jack,a Grenville said, after a pause. aTwo million dollars is a lot of money, and a lot of temptation.a He looked straight at Archer. aThe money is going to be paid into your Swiss account. What guarantee have I got that I shall get my share?a Archer stared at him, shocked. Had he come so low that a worthless gigolo didnat trust him?

Angrily, he said, aOf course you will get your share! We are in this together: fifty-fifty.a aThatas what you say,a Grenville returned, abut how can I be certain, and I want to be certain.a Archer hesitated. He was aware of his shabbiness. He was shrewd enough to understand he made a poor picture of a man who could be trusted.

aWhat do you suggest, as obviously, you donat trust me?a His voice was bitter.

aDonat take this personally, Jack. Frankly, I would never trust anyone when two million is concerned, and I donat suppose you would either. From now on, after you have seen her and arranged payment, we keep together,a Grenville said. aIall come with you to your bank and see you transfer my share to an account I will open with your people. Any objection?a Archer shrugged.

aNone at all. If thatas what you want, I will arrange it.a aThatas what I want.a aConsider it done,a Archer said. aTo raise the money, Helga will have to sell stock. I will give her three days, but not a day more. While we wait, we will stay here. You must keep out of sight, Chris. I have stocked the refrigerator, and although this place isnat a palace, itas not too bad.a aIall survive,a Grenville said and finished his whisky.

aNow there is a little matter I have to attend to.a Archer went to the sideboard and pulled open a drawer. From it, he took a polaroid camera. aI bought this on my way up.a aWhatas that for?a Grenville asked blankly.

aManufacturing evidence,a Archer said, smiling. aAnd here is another little item I bought,a and from the drawer he produced a bottle of tomato ketchup.

aGood G.o.d! Have you gone crazy?a Grenville exclaimed.

aNot at all, my dear Chris.a Still smiling broadly, Archer waved the bottle before Grenville. aThis little bottle of sauce is worth two million dollars.a Belmont edged forward, moved into the lobby and peered into the living-room.

aItas a little messy, Chris,a Archer went on, abut you must expect to make an effort for so much money. Let me dab some of this sauce on your face, then you will lie on the floor and I will take photographs. I a.s.sure you, when I show these photographs to Helga, she wonat hesitate to pay up. I know Helga. She loathes any kind of violence.a Grenville threw back his head and laughed.

aWhat a wonderful idea! Go ahead.a Feeling he had heard enough, Belmont silently left the villa and raced back to the VW. As he scrambled in, Segetti sent the little car fast down the hill.

Lucky Bellini owned a small shop, specializing in all kinds of Italian goods, in a back street off the Piazza Grande, Lugano. He lived above the shop with his fat wife, Maria. His eight children, all earning good livings, had long left home, and Lucky missed them, for he was a family man. Before the last of them left, Lucky had built, at the end of a small plot of land behind his store, a warehouse, and above, a big room which he had furnished with a bed, a table and some armchairs and had installed a shower and a toilet. This was used by his son who had ambitions to be a drummer in a Pop group, and the sound of drums was something that drove Lucky crazy.

It was in this room that he and Bernie talked. Some fifteen years ago, Lucky was a Mafia Don in Naples. He was now seventy-four and had been glad to retire, but once a Don always a Don. He knew Bernie to have solid connections with the Naples people, and anything he could do for Bernie was all right with him.

aTell me about this Rolfe woman,a Bernie said, glancing at his watch. The time was 23.00: Segetti and Belmont should be going into action. aShe interests me.a Lucky, who always kept his ear to the ground, became informative. He said Helga Rolfe had inherited Rolfeas millions, and was now the top shot of the Rolfe Electronic Corporation. In her own right, she was worth around sixty to eighty million dollars, give or take. She had hot pants, and had it off from time to time with hotel waiters, barmen, and especially Italians.

aSince Rolfe died,a Lucky went on, asheas quietened down as far as I know. She has now taken up with a fancy man who calls himself Christopher Grenville. They are staying together at the Helios villa.a aWho is this fink?a aGrenville? Heas English, looks loaded, but thatas probably a front. Iave no information about him except I hear he has been living in Germany for some time.a aKnow anything about Jack Archer?a Bernie asked.

Lucky nodded.

aHe used to look after Rolfeas money. He was once a big shot with a tax consultant firm in Lausanne and used to come here quite often when Rolfe lived at Helios. Then suddenly, he didnat come any more. I heard he got into trouble, dipping his fingers into Rolfeas money, but I donat know for sure. There was also talk he used to screw Rolfeas wife, but that could also be talk.a Bernie considered this information, then nodded.

aOkay, Lucky. Go to bed. Iall be fine here.a He patted Luckyas shoulder. aIave got a pot on the stove. When it comes to the boil, Iall see you get a cut.a Lucky grinned.

aWith all my kids, I need a little extra, Bernie. Stay here as long as you like. When you want something to eat - coffee, whisky, anything - use the telephone. Iall bring it to you.a He was under the impression that Bernie was in trouble with the police and needed a hide-out. Bernie, reading his thoughts, didnat disillusion him.

aFine, Lucky. I could have a couple of friends here too. That be okay?a aEverything is okay with you, Bernie, as long as they donat mind sleeping on the floor.a aThey wonat.a The two men shook hands, and Lucky descended the stairs and walked heavily back to his apartment.

He told his wife that maybe Bernie was in trouble, and she would have to supply him with food. His wife, five years younger than her husband, threw up her hands, but didnat protest. For fifty years now, anything Lucky said to her had to be all right with her. She obeyed, and didnat ask questions.

Bernie lay on the truckle bed and thought. Just before midnight, Segetti and Belmont climbed the stairs and joined him. They gave him a blow-by-blow account of the kidnapping, and then Belmont went on to describe what he had heard at the rented villa between Archer and Grenville.

aThey are taking this broad for two million dollars!a Belmont said, his little black eyes glistening.

aImagine!a Bernie sneered.

aThey are amateurs. This broad is worth sixty million if not more. In Rome, the other day, our people ransomed some fink for seven million dollars. Now hereas what we do.a For the next half hour he talked, stabbing the air with a thick finger to emphasize every point he was making. When he had finished, he said, aGet the idea?a aMamma mia!a Segetti exclaimed. aWhatas our share, Bernie?a aThat we will discuss later,a Bernie said. aThere is some work to do yet. Now I am going to sleep. You two sleep on the floor,a and settling himself on the truckle bed, he closed his eyes.

Helga came slowly awake, and for some minutes, lay in a relaxed stupor. Then, when her hand reached for Grenville, groped and found nothing, she opened her eyes.

The sun was coming through the blinds. The bedside clock told her it was 10.00. Chris, she thought, was taking a swim, then the memory of the previous awful night struck her, and she sat up with a strangled scream. She found she was wearing only her bra and panties. She looked wildly around the room, seeing again those terrifying hooded monsters as they had burst in, guns in hand.

Her heart began to hammer and she had to clench her hands into fists to stop another scream.

There came a knock on the door, and Hinkle entered, pus.h.i.+ng the coffee trolley.

aI thought I heard you, madame,a he said gently, and going to her closet, he took out a wrap and draped it around her. aI took the liberty to remove your dress last night. I thought you would rest more comfortably.a She drew in a long, slow breath, and the steel in her exerted itself. She now remembered she had behaved very badly last night. She had completely lost control of herself. As soon as she heard the car drive Chris away, she had run screaming down the long corridor to Hinkleas room. He had been marvellous. She had clung to him, sobbing, and he had picked her up, speaking soothing words as if she were a child, and had carried her to her bedroom and laid her on the bed. Then he had sat by her side, holding her hand while she hysterically told him what had happened.

aI canat lose him! I must get him back!a she cried. aHinkle, what am I to do? I mustaa aYou mustnat distress yourself. You must remember this happens so often these days. You must try to relax.a aHinkle! They could hurt him! I love him! I canat bear to think he is in the hands of those awful brutes!a She began to sob again. aI couldnat live without him! He is my life now! He is everything Iave ever longed for!a aMadame Rolfe!a A sudden steely snap in Hinkleas voice startled her. aYou are being hysterical. I have told you: this has happened before. I will alert the police andaa aNo! No! No! Youare not to go to the police! They said they would kill him if the police came into it! You donat know how vicious they sounded!a aThen we must wait for the ransom demand,a Hinkle said. aIn the meantime, madame, kindly control yourself.a But Helga was beyond control, and turning on her side, burying her face in the pillow, she sobbed her heart out.

Hinkle regarded her, disapprovingly, then he went into the bathroom, found her sleeping pills, mixed four in a gla.s.s of water, then returned to her. He pulled her around and held the gla.s.s to her lips.

aI donat want it! I donat want it!a aDrink it, and stop acting like a child!a Hinkle barked.

She drank, shuddered and dropped back on her pillow.

aI love him so much,a she moaned. aPray G.o.d they donat hurt him.a Holding her hand, Hinkle watched as the drug took effect. Still crying, still moaning, she drifted off into sleep.

Remembering how she had behaved, and how Hinkle had handled the situation, she looked shame-faced at him as he poured the coffee.

aYou have been wonderful, Hinkle,a she said. aI donat know what I would have done without your help, and I am ashamed I behaved so badly last night.a aIt is understandable, madame,a Hinkle said. aIn a few days, Mr. Grenville will be back with you, and you will be happy again.a aI hope so!a She drank some of the coffee. aThey said the ransom demand would be today. Will they telephone?a aThat, I believe, madame, is the usual procedure. I will draw a bath for you. If there is a telephone call, I will take it.a He looked at her. aAnd, madame, this could be a trying day for you. A woman faced with a difficult situation is always at her best when she is looking her best.a He walked into the bathroom and turned on the mixer.

Helga bit back her tears. He is right, she thought. He is so loyal and kind! She waited until he had left the room, then she took a bath, worked on her face, put on a pale-blue silk s.h.i.+rt and black trousers and regarded herself.

I am Helga Rolfe, she told herself. I am in love! Chris will come back to me. I am one of the richest women in the world! I hold Herman Rolfeas magic key! I will buy Chris back no matter what it costs!

She walked out onto the terrace where Hinkle was watering the flowers. He regarded her and nodded his approval.

aIf I may take the liberty, madame, you are very beautiful,a he said.

aThank you, Hinkle, and you are so very kind.a aThere are a number of dead blossoms that need attention, madame,a Hinkle said. aIf I may suggest, you might care to attend to them. I find gardening very soothing, and we may have some time to wait.a He indicated secateurs and a basket near her and obediently, knowing he was trying to be helpful, Helga began to cut the dead flowers: something she had never done before. And, of course, Hinkle was right again. The task was soothing, but she continually thought of Grenville.

At 11.15, Hinkle appeared with a shaker and gla.s.s.

aI suggest a little refreshment, madame,a he said.

She nodded and went indoors, washed her hands, then returned to the terrace.

aArenat they going to phone, Hinkle?a aYes, madame,a Hinkle said, as he poured the drink. aYou could call it a war of nerves, and I am confident that your nerves will remain steady.a She sat down.

aItas only that I keep thinking they will hurt him. I canat bear the thought!a aWhy should they, madame?a aThey sounded so vicious.a aIt may be some time before they telephone. I suggest an omelette for lunch. You must keep up your strength.a Then they heard the front door bell ring. Helga slopped her drink and turned white.

aPlease, madame,a Hinkle said, completely unperturbed. aIt is probably the postman. I will see,a and he walked sedately across the terrace to the front door.

Opening it, he found himself face to face with Archer. The two men looked at each other, then Archer said jovially, aHow are you, Hinkle? You remember me?a It said much for Hinkleas steel control that his expression didnat change. He lifted his eyebrows as he said, aMr. Archer, I believe.a aThatas right. I want to talk to Madame Rolfe.a aMadame Rolfe is not at home,a Hinkle said stiffly.

aSheall see me. Tell her I am representing Mr. Grenvilleas interests.a Hinkle stared for a long moment at Archer who continued to smile.

aIf you will wait.a He paused to look Archer up and down, surveying his shabbiness, then he closed the front door, shooting the bolt.

Helga, tense, turned around, as Hinkle came onto the terrace.

She stiffened.

aMadame, Mr. Archer is calling,a he said.

aWho?a aMr. Jack Archer.a Helgaas eyes lit up with anger.

aArcher! How dare he come here! Get rid of him! I would never have that man in my house!a aI suggest, madame, you should see him,a Hinkle said quietly. aHe said he was representing Mr. Grenvilleas interests.a The shock made Helga close her eyes. The she pulled herself together.

aIs he behind this?a aI donat know, madame, but it would appear so.a The steel in Helga a.s.serted itself. She stood up and walked into the living-room. Her mind flashed back to these few, but dreadful days, when Archer had been locked up in the cellar and had broken out, but she also remembered that she had beaten him, just when he had thought he had triumphed. She had known Archer for some twenty years. When she and he had worked in her fatheras firm, they had been lovers. It had been Archer who had persuaded her to marry Rolfe so that he could handle Rolfeas affairs in Switzerland. He had stolen two million dollars of Rolfeas money and had lost the money in a stupid speculation. He had tried to blackmail her not to tell Rolfe, but she had refused. She had beaten him that time: she could do it again, she told herself.

aSend him in, Hinkle. I will see him alone.a aVery well, madame.a As Hinkle pa.s.sed the hi-fi set, he pressed a switch and a b.u.t.ton.

Archer came bouncing in, smiling broadly.

aMy dear Helga, how good to see you again!a he said in his booming voice. aIt is such a long time, isnat it?a Hinkle quietly closed the door on them.

Helga, standing motionless, her head slightly back, gave him a steely stare. She looked him up and down, and then her lip curled.

aAh! You see a change in me,a Archer said, still smiling. aAt the moment I am at low ebb, but the tide is rising.a He sat down, uninvited, and crossed one fat leg over the other. aYou still look most impressive, Helga. I really donat know how you do it at your age. But then, I suppose, money does make all the difference. Beauticians, hairdressers, ma.s.sage, and of course, clothes.a He laughed. aEven I could look impressive if I had some money, but you really did put me in a hole, Helga. You really did.a aWhat do you want?a she said, steel in her voice.

aWhat do I want? Shall we say revenge? I remember so well - when was it? Ten months ago? When you said you held the four aces. Now it is my turn to hold four aces.a As she said nothing, but stood, waiting, he went on, aI have often dreamed of this moment, Helga, when I would make you drink gall as you made me drink gall. Perhaps I should say vinegar,a and he laughed.

Although a brilliant international lawyer, Helgaas father was given to old-fas.h.i.+oned clichs. So often he had said to her: What you put in, you take out. Offence is better than defence. They were clichs that remained in her mind. Once, when she had a difficult problem, he had said to her: If you are in a tight corner, let the other man talk. Know your enemy. Listen hard enough, and you will find a weak spot.

Know your enemy!

It was the soundest advice he had ever given her, and Helga remembered.