Strictly For Cash Part 14

Come in, Johnny,a Della said.

I closed the door and walked across the expanse of fawn carpet, somehow keeping my face expressionless, and cursing myself for coming back.

As I made for the desk, Della said, aDon't sit there. That's no longer your place. I want you to meet my new partner,a and she waved to Ricca.

aSo that's how it is,a I said. aDid he talk you into it or did you talk him into it, and what's the idea of the gun?a aNeither,a Della said. aMiss Harris Brown talked you out of it.a I took out a packet of cigarettes together with the keys of the suitcase. Without letting them see the keys I let them slide into the side of the chair. I lit a cigarette and blew smoke at her. I could tell by the way she was breathing that there was going to be an explosion before long. She was only keeping control of herself because she wanted to prolong what she imagined was my agony. She was pale, and her eyes were deadly, and her b.r.e.a.s.t.s were rising and falling under the thin stuff of her dress as if she were suffocating.

aI told you at the time,a I said, athat little mare was drunk.a aI know what you told me, Johnny,a she said her voice going shrill. aBut I haven't been wasting my time this afternoon. I have been making enquiries. You may not know it, but the guards log all cars that come to the gates. It didn't take long to find the number of the Lincoln that brought you back the night you killed Reisner. It didn't take long for Hame to find out the owner of the car is Virginia Laverick who has a beach cabin not far from here. Nor did it take long for me to find out she works at Keston's in Miami, and Raul under a little pressure told me you and she often go there for dinner.a I wasn't surprised. I knew she might dig out all this information as soon as she had left me after the scene on the terrace.

aDo we have to go into this with Ricca here?a I said. aIt can't be much fun for him.a Ricca's smile widened.

aI thought it might be safer for you if I stuck around,a he said. aDella's temper is a little uncertain. She wanted to shoot you as you walked in. I had trouble persuading her to change her mind.a aMaybe you'd better stay, then,a I said.

aDo you deny you have an apartment on Franklin Boulevard, and this girl visits you there?a Della cried, leaning forward and glaring at me.

aNo, I don't deny it,a I said. aWhat are you going to do about it She sat back, and there was a long moment of silence.

Ricca said, aLet's skip the next piece and go right into the last act. We're wasting time with this guy.a I was glad he was there. She looked ready to blow her top, but his cold flat voice kept her under control.

aYes,a she said. aWe'll skip the next piece. Well, Johnny, you've been warned. I told you to lay off other women.a aI know what you told me.a aThen you'll have to take the consequences,a she said. aI'm going to throw you out of here the way I picked you up: a third-rate fighter without a dollar to your name. How do you like that ?a The least I expected was she would have me beaten up. I took a casual stare at the safe. It was shut. She couldn't know I had tampered with it!

aNow wait a minute,a I said, sitting forward, ayou can't get away with that. We made a bargain. I want my dough!a If I didn't make out she was scoring off me, she might still decide to put a bullet in me. The rage and dismay I got into my voice even surprised me.

aWe made another bargain,a she said, ayou're forgetting that, Johnny.a Her eyes were bright with spite. aI said no other women a" remember? You've gypped yourself out of a quarter of a million. How do you like that? Was Miss Laverick worth all that money, Johnny?a I twisted my face into what I hoped was a mask of infuriated rage and started up.

aSit down!a Ricca said, and the gun covered me.

I sat down.

aThrow me out if you like, but I'm going to have that money!a I snarled at her.

aYou'll leave here without a dime and on your feet!a she said. aThe guards have been told to let you out only if you are walking and you're not carrying a bag. You'll have a nice long walk ahead of you, and I hope you'll enjoy it!a aDon't imagine you'll get away with this!a I shouted. aIf you think you can gyp me . . .a She was revelling in it now. I made out I was going to spring at her. Ricca stood up, threatening me with the gun.

aEmpty your pockets on the desk,a Della said.

aMake me!a I said. aI'd like to see either of you get close enough to make me !a aThat won't be necessary,a Ricca said. aDo what she says or I'll shoot you in the leg and you'll d.a.m.n well have to crawl out of here!a I thought of those three one-hundred-dollar bills I had hidden in my shoe, and I had trouble in keeping a straight face.

aI'll fix you too!a I snarled at him, and began emptying my pockets on the desk.

When I was through she made me pull out the linings of my pockets to make sure Iad kept nothing back. I was glad I had stashed the keys in the chair. If she had seen those she might have looked in the safe. All the time I had been in the room I had kept my hat on. The receipt for the suitcase was burning a hole in my head, but neither of them thought to look inside my hat.

aOkay, Johnny,a Della said, anow you're all set to go. I hope you'll be hungry tonight. I hope no one gives you a ride. I hope you rot in h.e.l.l!a aI'll fix you for this!a I yelled at her, and moved to the door.

aBetter get going fast, Johnny,a she said, and a cruel little smile lit up her face. aI said I'd throw you out as I found you, didn't I? Pepi and Benno are on their way over. They should arrive any moment now. They seemed very interested to hear you were here. So this is where you came in, darling. You're on the run again, and I hope they catch you!a I started to say something when the door opened and Louis walked in. Ricca hid the gun behind his back.

aWhat do you want?a Della demanded. aCan't you knock?a Louis's fat face looked startled.

aI thought Mr. Ricca was alone.a aWell, he isn't. What do you want?a I went cold. I knew what he wanted. He had come to ask if I had managed to get the safe open.

aYou talk to them,a I said to him. aI'm clearing out. That fat boy's your new boss.a I shoved past him, jerked open the door as Della cried, aWait!a But I didn't wait. In three or four seconds she would know I'd beaten her to the punch. I had to get out and get out fast.

I jumped into the elevator and rode to the ground floor. Moving fast, I crossed the lobby, pelted down the steps and vaulted into the waiting Buick.

I shot away from the casino steps and down the carriageway like a bat out of h.e.l.l. Half-way down I lowered the winds.h.i.+eld until it was lying flat. I crouched down in the seat. By the time I saw the gates ahead of me I was driving at sixty miles an hour.

The two guards were there. The green-eyed one had his gun in his hand. They had heard me coming, and probably she had phoned I was to be stopped, but I wasn't stopping.

Those gates looked big and impressive, but they had two weaknesses. They opened outwards and they were held shut only by a single bolt. Moving at this speed I didn't reckon they would hold me, and they didn't.

The guards jumped clear as I swept down on them. I held the steering-wheel as tightly as I could and lowered my head. The solid steel b.u.mpers smashed into the gates, and they flew open. The car rocked and swerved, but I straightened it, shoving my foot down hard on the accelerator. I heard the bang of a gun, but I didn't care. I was through those gates and on to the highway. I went on feeding petrol into the cylinders: the speedometer needle flickered up to eighty. They would have to move to catch me!

A couple of miles down the road I came to the bends: the climbing switchback that led across the dunes to the Miami Highway. I had to cut speed, but that didn't worry me. They would take a few minutes to get after me, and they couldn't go faster on this road than I could.

Well, I had beaten her! I wanted to sing and yell. I had out-smarted her in spite of her smartness. I'd got the money and I was out, and before she could get things moving I'd be safely hidden in Cuba. I was riding higher than a kite!

After driving for fifty miles or so, I turned off the highway and got on to the secondary road. The Buick was an obvious car to spot, and I was less likely to be noticed on the secondary road than on the highway. Before long I would have to get petrol. I was running low.

As I drove I remembered Ginny was staying with a girlfriend in Miami, and I knew her telephone number. I decided I'd stop at the next filling-station and call her. I'd get her to charter a plane this night, and if I could persuade her to go with me to Cuba, and I thought I could. I'd be sitting on top of the world!

About a couple of miles farther on I spotted a filling-station and I pulled in.

An old guy with a goatee beard came waddling out of the shabby little office.

aFill her up,a I said. aHave you a phone here?a aRight in there, mister.a I suddenly remembered I had only three one-hundred dollar bills on me. I bent down and flicked them out of my shoe. aI got nothing smaller than a C. Can you give me change?a aSure. You go right ahead and phone. I'll get you change.a The phone was on a battered desk by an open window. I called Ginny's number. The light was fading now. It was getting on for nine. I could see the old guy pumping petrol into the Buick. On the desk was a packet of Camel's. I took one and lit up.

ah.e.l.lo,a a girl said over the line. It wasn't Ginny.

aMiss Laverick there?a aNo, she's out, but I'm expecting her any minute now.a I cursed silently.

aOkay. I'll call back in five minutes.a I hung up and went outside to see how the old gay was getting on. He was s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g on the cap.

aShe's full, mister.a aGet me the change will you? I want to phone again in five minutes.a He got me the change and sold me a packet of cigarettes. I hung around and wasted eleven minutes before I finally got Ginny. By then I was getting a little uneasy. A fast car can cover a lot of miles in eleven minutes. I wasn't kidding myself they wouldn't be after me by now.

aWhy, Johnny, darling!a aNow, listen, kid. I've a surprise for you. I've got that job. Yep. I heard only just now. And I've another surprise for you. I'm on my way to you now.a aWhy, Johnny, does that mean . . . ?a aYeah, it means just that, but hold everything and listen. I'm to start work in Havana tomorrow. I want you to call the airport and charter a plane to Havana to be ready to take off in four hours. I want to know if you'll come with me.a aCharter a plane? It'll cost a fortune.a aNever mind the money. I've got all the money in the world. Will you come with me, Ginny?a aTonight?a Her voice rose. aBut I should have to pack and . . .a aIt's tough, but if you can't make it I'll have to go alone . . .a aNot another word, Johnny. I'll make it!a That's the kind of girl she was.

aAs soon as we arrive, we'll be married, Ginny. Hold everything. I'm on my way!a I slammed down the receiver and ran out.

The old guy was standing with his back to the petrol pump, his hands in the air and his goatee trembling. I pulled up short and spun around, my heart skipping a beat.

Della was standing in the shadows, by the window, a gun in her hand, the awful little smile flickering around her lips.

ah.e.l.lo, Johnny,a she said.

I knew if I made the slightest move she'd drill me. There was a look in her eyes that turned me cold.

aGet in the car, Johnny; you and I are going for a ride.a And I knew if I even hesitated she'd shoot. I walked over to the Buick and got in under the driving-wheel. She opened the rear door and got in behind me.

aMiami, Johnny,a she said, aand snap it up !a I trod on the starter, s.h.i.+fted into second and pulled away from the row of petrol pumps. The old guy still stood as stiff as a statue, his hands in the air. She had scared the guts out of him.

We drove for about a mile in silence, then she said, aWhere's the money?a I could see her in the driving mirror, the gun was pointing at the back of my head. Her face in the moonlight was as white as a fresh fall of snow, and her eyes scared me.

aWhere you'll never find it,a I said.

aWe'll find it. Benno and Pepi are waiting for you in Miami. They'll make you talk, Johnny, and then they'll kill you, and you'll be glad to die.a I kept driving. There wasn't anything I could do about it yet, but I was working on it.

aSo you thought you'd marry her,a she went on, the words spilling out of her mouth in a vicious rush. aThat's a laugh! She's in this, too. We'll pick up Pepi and Benno, and then we'll all go down to the airport and pick her up. You'll talk fast enough when you see those two working on her. I'll make her suffer! Don't think she'll escape. She's in this as much as you!a That settled it. Only she had heard my conversation over the phone. Only she knew I had arranged to meet Ginny at the airport. It was as simple as that. Ginny wasn't going to fall into Pepi's hands. I had still the last word. The road was straight: on either side were mangrove thickets. It was as simple as that.

aWell, so long, Ginny,a I thought. aThis is the way out. This is the only way out,a and I got a picture of her in my mind with her copper-coloured hair and her big, serious eyes and her lovely mouth as I pulled down hard on the wheel.

As I swung the car off the road, I shoved the accelerator to the boards. I felt the car leap forward. I didn't look where we were heading. My eyes were fixed on the driving mirror. I could see Della's face.

aGo ahead and shoot me,a I thought. aIf this is my end, it's your end too. You're not going to get your dirty claws on Ginny.a I saw the fear and horror in her face. I heard her thin, wailing scream. I saw the gun drop out of her hand as she threw up her arm to s.h.i.+eld her face.

Then we hit a tree, bounced off it, shot into the undergrowth and smashed into another tree. I held on to the steering-wheel for dear life. Della had disappeared. I felt the car turning over.

aThis is it,a I thought, and I wasn't scared. I was thinking of Ginny as the car turned over, and I was still thinking of her when something crashed down on my head.

PART FIVE.

CURTAINS.

chapter twenty-nine.

Come on! Snap out of it!a a voice bawled in my ear, and a hand caught hold of my coat front and hauled me upright. aWake up, louse!a I got my eyes open with an effort, and stared into the fat, blue-chinned face of Benno. Instinctively, I tried to throw a punch at him, but my arm didn't respond.

Snarling, he slammed me across the mouth with the back of his hand, and I flopped back on the bed, scarcely conscious.

Dimly I heard a fat voice say, aDon't hit him like that, you fool! I want him to talk!a aHe'll talk!a Benno said viciously, and hauled me upright again. aCome on! Take notice or I'll yank your G.o.dd.a.m.n ears off!a I opened my eyes again and looked around. I was lying bound hand and foot, on my bed in the bedroom of my apartment on Franklin Boulevard. Benno was sitting on the bed, and Ricca stood at the foot of the bed.

For a long moment I was confused and bewildered, then I remembered Ginny. Was she still in the apartment? Had I imagined she had been there? I remembered her coming to the door and the terror on her face.

aWhat have you done with her?a I croaked.

Ricca smiled.

aShe's in the other room. You played your hand pretty badly. I wanted her as well as you, and you led me right to her.a I strained at the cord that bound my hands, but it didn't give.

aBetter bring her in here,a Ricca said to Benno. aIt's time we started.a Benno patted my face with a hand that smelt of lavender water.

aYou and me are going to have fun before long,a he said. He went into the other room.

Ricca continued to smile and puff breath at me. His snake's eyes were vicious.

Benno came back, dragging Ginny with him. She was gagged, and her wrists were tied behind her. There was a rip in her skirt, and she had pushed a knee through one stocking. She looked as if she had had a bad time. She stared wildly at me, horror in her eyes.

aGinny!a I cried, struggling upright. aWhat have they done to you?a aWe haven't done much to her yet,a Ricca said, abut we will unless you are ready to talk.a aTurn her loose and I'll talk,a I said wildly. Just to see her in the hands of a rat like Benno drove me frantic. aBut she's got to go free! She isn't in this. She's got to go free.a Ricca pulled up a chair and lowered his bulk onto it.

aYou had your chance when I made my first offer,a he said. aIt's out of my hands now. Petelli's claiming you. All I want is the money, then I turn you over to him.a He pulled at his thick lower lip. aUnfortunately she'll have to be turned over to him, too.a aThat won't get you anywhere,a I said. aEither she goes free or the money stays where it is, and it's where you'll never get your claws on it.a aDon't be too sure about that. I have an idea I can persuade you to talk.a aYou heard what I said! Let her free or you don't get the money!a Ricca lifted his fat shoulders.

aIt's out of my hands. She knows too much. Benno's going to knock you off. She'll have to go, too.a I turned ice-cold. I had only to look at him to see he wasn't bluffing.

aShe'll give you her word not to talk,a I said. aI don't give a d.a.m.n what happens to me, but you've got to let her go!a aI happen to hold all the cards in this deal,a Ricca said. aAsk yourself which would be better for her: a bullet through the head or to be worked over until you decide to talk. You'll see Benno at work. Better save her from that. What do you say a" a quick bullet or Benno?a Benno put his hand on the front of Ginny's frock and ripped it down to her waist.

I was licked and I knew it. Ginny would be better off dead than tortured by Benno.

Without looking at her, I said, aYes. Don't let him touch her. I'll talk.a Ricca rubbed his hands.

aI thought somehow you would. Where's the money?a aThe Miami Safe Deposit.a I could see by the momentary blank expression in his eyes he hadn't expected this.

aI see. Very sensible of you.a Then suddenly I remembered the .22 I had left in the suitcase. I felt a hot surge of triumph run through me. With that gun I could fix him and turn the tables on Benno.

aYou will write them a letter . . .a he began, but stopped as I shook my head.

aDo you imagine I'm all that of a dope? I and no one else can get the money. I left instructions I was the only one to enter the strong room.a Ricca stared down at his feet. Then he glanced up and waved his hand at Benno.

aTake her away,a he said. aWhy doesn't Pepi come?a aHe doesn't know we're here,a Benno said. aHow many more times do I have to tell you?a aTry to find him. We want him.a aForget him! He might be anywhere. Can't you swing this yourself?a aTake her away.a Benno shoved Ginny out of the room. As he reached the door he put his knee in her back and shot her forward. I heard her fall on the floor.

aIf ever I get my hands on you . . .a I said, straining at the rope that held my wrists.

Ricca smiled.

aIt's your own fault. How can you expect an animal like Benno to treat a girl decently?a He grimaced as he looked through the open door. aYou and I will go and collect the money,a he went on. aAfter that, Benno takes charge, but I promise you I will see he makes it quick. I owe you something. I am grateful to you for getting rid of Della. Now, of course, I take over the casino myself.a I stared fixedly at him.

aAnd when we get to the safe deposit, don't make trouble,a he went on. aThe money belongs to the casino, and I can prove it. Hame will play along with me. There's nothing you can do about it.a aI know when I'm licked,a I said, thinking of the .22 in the suitcase.

He went into the other room and I heard him talking to Benno. While I had a moment to myself I tried desperately to free my hands. I might just as well have tried to tip over the Woolworth building.

Ricca came into the room again.

aIf I am not back within the hour he will take her away from here. I needn't tell you what he will do to her. So no tricks.a He cut my ankles free.

aStand up and turn round.a Benno came to the door, a snub-nosed automatic in his hand. He kept me covered while Ricca freed my hands.

aOkay,a Ricca said, pulling a gun from his hip pocket. aLet's go.a I went first and he followed. We walked down the four flights of stairs. Drawn up outside the front door was a dark-blue Packard.

aYou drive, Johnny. I'll sit at the back. And snap into it. I don't imagine Benno will keep his hands off her for long. She's pretty, isn't she?a My sick fear for her turned to cold, vicious rage against him. I didn't say anything but drove fast until I reached Roosevelt Boulevard. Here the traffic was heavy, and it took me some minutes to weave the car to a standstill outside the Safe Deposit building.

A guard came over.

aI deposited a suitcase here this morning. I want to pick it up.a aYou know the way, sir? Mr. Evesham will look after you.a I said I knew the way, and went up the steps with Ricca at my heels.

The princely Mr. Evesham looked surprised when he saw me, but he remembered his manners and stood up and bowed.