Try This One On For Size Part 10

There was some delay before Maggie appeared.

aI donat think I am going to like the Swiss,a she said. aThe horrid man wouldnat unlock my bags and made me take everything out.a aThe vanity box?a aThat too. Everyone was staring at my things. He was a horrid brute.a aNever mind. The caras waiting. Come on,a and signalling to a porter who piled the luggage on a trolley, Bradey conducted Maggie to where the Mercedes was parked. As he drove on to the autoroute and headed towards the city, he thought maybe Maggieas s.e.xual charms might not be so useful if he had ever to smuggle something through the Swiss customs.

On the other side of the Atlantic, in Paradise City, Claude Kendrick and Louis de Marney were discussing their future.

aWith all this money, Claude my brave,a Louis was saying, awhy not sell the Gallery and retire? Think of what you could do with almost three million dollars. Think of the life of freedom you will be able to enjoy. If the price is right, I would be willing to buy the Gallery from you with my share of the money. What do you think?a aThat you are out of your tiny mind,a Kendrick said. aYou havenat the first idea how much this gallery is worth. You? You couldnat even run it without me.a aOh, I might.a Louisas rat-like eyes hardened. aIad be prepared to take the risk. How about half a million, pet?a aThis room alone is worth more than that,a Kendrick said, making a sweeping movement with his hand towards the pictures and the antiques. aNow, stop it, Louis or I will get cross with you. I have no intention of selling the gallery to you or anyone else. Tomorrow, I have to fly to Zurich. How I hate flying!a aHave you made a will?a Louis asked, his expression cunning. aYou must have! Think of all the dreadful accidents! Every day I read of air crashes!a aIf you donat get out of this room immediately, I will throw something at you!a Kendrick exclaimed, his fat face flus.h.i.+ng.

aIam only trying to be helpful. There is no point in you getting into a tizz. You mustnat excite yourself. Itas bad for your liver.a As Kendrick reached for a heavy paperweight, Louis scuttled to the door and disappeared, slamming the door behind him. Kendrick glowered at the door, then lighting a cigar, he thought of tomorrow. He had had rea.s.suring news from Haddon. The Lepskisa vanity box had pa.s.sed through the French customs: The Lepskis and the Duvines were now in Monaco, and in another three days, they would be at the Montreux Palace hotel. Haddon had said that Lu Bradey would be at this hotel and he would get the box from Duvine, then would go to Zurich as soon as he could, meeting Kendrick at the Eden hotel. So far so good, but Kendrick was a pessimist. He never believed in infallibilities. Maybe the Swiss customs would check the box and find the icon. Maybe Bradey would have a car accident on his way from Montreux to Zurich. Maybe, and here Kendrick broke out into a cold sweat, his plane might plunge into the Atlantic. Life was never free of problems. Then maybe that dreadful man Radnitz might try to gyp him out of the three million dollars. When dealing with Radnitz, anything could happen. He took out his silk handkerchief and mopped his forehead. He would have been even more uneasy if he could have transported himself to the entrance to the Montreux Palace hotel right at that moment.

The uniformed porter ran down the steps to open the door of an Opel Rekord car as it pulled up outside the Montreux Palace hotel.

A tall, thin man with straw-coloured hair looked at the porter through the open car window.

aMy bagas in the boot,a he said curtly. aDo I park over there?a aIf you will, sir,a the porter said, went around to the back of the car and took out a large suitcase which was surprisingly light for its size.

Sergas Holtz drove into a parking slot, then getting out of the car, climbed the steps and walked over to the reception desk.

His uncle had given him a false pa.s.sport in the name of Hans Richter which he handed to the reception clerk.

aGlad to have you here, sir,a the clerk said. aYou are staying a few days?a aYes,a Holtz said curtly as the clerk filled in the police card which he handed to Holtz with a pen. Holtz signed his false name. aFriends of mine, Mr. and Mrs. Lepski, are arriving the day after tomorrow. What is the number of their room?a The clerk consulted the register.

aRoom 245, sir. You have room 249. Itas quite close.a Holtz nodded, then walked with the porter to the elevator.

Once in his room, he locked the door, put the suitcase on the bed, opened it and took the vanity box from it. This he put in a closet, locked the door and dropped the key into his pocket.

He crossed to the window and looked down at the busy street below, then across the lake and to the range of mountains. Well, he thought, I have arrived. Two days to wait, then action!

The drive down to the South of France on the long, monotonous autoroute du Sud had bored the Lepskis, although Carroll was too polite to say so, realising how the Duvines were trying to please, but Lepski made grumbling noises until she told him firmly to be quiet. They both had expected better things than this continuous flat countryside, the traffic congested, narrow-streeted towns and the dreary, dirty-looking little villages. Even the Maison Pic hotel at Valence where they spent the night, Lepski found too G.o.dd.a.m.n fussy, and this time, after listening impatiently to Pierre who enthusiastically translated the luxe menu, he declared firmly he would have a steak, and gave Carroll his cop stare, challenging her to say otherwise. Seeing the danger signal, Carroll didnat argue.

They had arrived at the Metropole hotel, Monte Carlo, the following afternoon. Here again, they were disillusioned. Carroll had read so much about the South of France with its constant suns.h.i.+ne, its villas, casinos, smart shops and quaint old towns. She found to her dismay Monte Carlo was cramped, overbuilt with half-empty high-risers and mainly fat old people moving along the sidewalks. The shops proved an anti-climax after the Paris shops.

In spite of Pierre working desperately, they found Monte Carlo a drag. By now even Carroll had had enough of the rich French cuisine, and she and Lepski would only eat BBQ chicken or steaks. This depressed the Duvines who were always prepared for an elaborate meal.

Lepski was amazed to find the streets of Monte Carlo deserted, except for parked cars, by 21.00. The only apparent nightlife was at the Casino. There, he found the aged fat women, gambling, with fat men hovering around them, depressing.

There wasnat a s.e.xy-looking girl to be seen. Pierre had explained that the season was nearly over. Had Lepski come a month earlier, he would have seen plenty of glamour. Lepski didnat believe him.

On the last night of their stay at the Metropole hotel after dining in the roof restaurant of the Hotel de Paris, Lepski and Carroll lay in the twin beds in their room. They had been so bored with the Casino which Pierre and Claudette had suggested after dinner, that they had opted for an early night as they would be driving to Montreux the following morning.

The Duvines, born gamblers, had gone to the Casino where they had lost, between them, over a thousand francs.

aAre you enjoying this trip?a Lepski asked abruptly.

Carroll hesitated. She believed in always telling the truth.

aWell, Tom, I thought it was going to be more exciting,a she said finally. aI loved Paris, and Iam glad to have come this far. I wouldnat have known what it really is like if I hadnat come, would I?a aYeah.a Lepski moved restlessly, abut if we hadnat come, think of the money we could have saved.a aIt is my money, and I spend it how I like!a Carroll snapped.

aSure, sure,a Lepski said hurriedly.

aYou wait until we get to Switzerland. Iave seen photos of the mountains and the lakes . . . marvellous!a aAny night life there?a aOf course!a Carroll said firmly, hoping there would be. aA place like Montreux will be alive with night life. Thereas one thing you are forgetting, Tom, we have found two real, lovely friends. Claudette promised to write when I get home. She will be a pen pal.a aOh, yeah? Thereas something about those two that bothers me.a Carroll sat up.

aWhat do you mean?a aThereas a touch of the conman about Pierre. Heas too G.o.dd.a.m.n smooth. I keep asking myself why he is taking all this trouble, spending money on us, driving us: two Americans out of the blue. I get a feeling before long heall try to sell us a gold mine.a aLepski! You are utterly impossible! You have a horrid cop mind! If someone is nice and friendly to you, you immediately think heas a crook! Iam ashamed of you!a Carroll declared furiously. aHow do you imagine people make friends? Because they like each other! The Duvines like us, so they are our friends. Canat you get that into your narrow cop mind?a Lepski moaned. Here was another fight coming up that could last for hours, and he was tired.

aOkay, okay, baby. I guess itas my cop training and my narrow mind,a he said, pulling up the sheet and settling lower in the bed. aLetas sleep, huh? We have quite a trip ahead of us tomorrow.a Carroll drew in an exasperated breath.

aItas always aOkay, okay, baby,a when you wonat discuss anything. Let me tell you, Lepski, the Duvines are marvelous people, and we are very, very lucky to have found them!a Lepski made a soft snoring noise.

aDo you hear what I am saying?a Carroll demanded.

aSure, baby. Sleep tight,a Lepski mumbled in a feigned sleepy voice and began to snore at volume.

Pierre and Claudette returned to the hotel soon after 01.30.

They were both depressed at losing money at roulette.

In their room, after showers, they lay in the twin beds in the half-light of one bedside lamp.

aNo luck tonight,a Pierre said gloomily.

aWe canat always win, my treasure,a Claudette said. aWhat worries me is the Lepskis are getting bored.a aAmericans! Most of them canat adapt to the European way of life. Not much longer, sugar. On the 20th, we will be in Montreux. Lu will be there to give me the duplicate box. As soon as I get it, you will take the Lepskis on a boat trip. When Lu had given me the duplicate box, he takes off for Zurich to wait for me. As soon as heas gone, I will switch boxes. When you return with the Lepskis, I will tell them Iave had a cable saying my mother is dangerously ill and we must return to Paris immediately. Once we are shot of the Lepskis, we will drive to Zurich and get in touch with Radnitz.a aBut will we get shot of the Lepskis? Suppose they say they will return to Paris with us?a Pierre frowned.

aA good point. We must find out what their plans are after Montreux. Letas sell them on the idea of going to Gstaad. You do that, sugar. Talk to Carroll and tell her they canat possibly leave Switzerland without seeing Gstaad.a aYes. Then, another thing, when we donat arrive at the Eden, Zurich, Lu will know weave double-crossed him. He could make things difficult.a There was a long silence while Pierre thought, then he said, aFirst things first. This is the general plan. Get the Lepskis thinking of Gstaad. I have to get the icon.a Claudette leaned out of her bed and stroked Pierreas hand.

aI hate twin beds.a aThereas room in here with me,a Pierre said and threw back the blanket and sheet.

Claudette slid from her bed and into his, and wound her arms lovingly around him.

Lu Bradey and Maggie Schultz walked into the reception lobby of the Montreux Palace hotel, followed by a porter, carrying their luggage.

It was 11.30 on the 18th September: a bright, crisp autumn morning. Driving from Geneva, along the lakeside road, Maggie had been entranced by the view of Lake Leman, the mountains and the acres of vineyards. The entrance to the hotel also entranced her. She thought the luggage porter a dream, and the reception clerk out of this world.

aWe are only staying two nights,a Bradey said as he handed the reception clerk the false pa.s.sport Ed Haddon had given him in the name of Lewis Schultz.

aYes, sir, I have your reservation.a aI want to book a room for my friend who will be arriving on the afternoon of the 20th,a Bradey said. aMr. John Willis. He will be staying a few days.a aMr. Willis? Certainly, sir. At this time we have plenty of room.a The clerk made a note.

aI believe you have Mr. and Mrs. Lepski booked in here on the 20th?a aMr. and Mrs. Lepski?a The clerk checked the register. aThat is correct. They are with Mr. and Mrs. Duvine.a aMr. Willis is an old friend. I would like him to be on their floor.a The clerk checked, then nodded.

aPerfectly all right, sir. Room 251. Mr. and Mrs. Lepski will be occupying room 245. If you are leaving on the morning of the 20th, and Mr. Willis will be arriving after lunch, you can have this room. Would that be convenient?a aThatas fine.a Sergas Holtz, sitting in the reception lobby, pretending to be reading The Herald Tribune, was very much alert. He had been sitting in the reception lobby for more than an hour, waiting developments. He had stiffened slightly as he saw the porter bring in the baggage of these arrivals. He saw the blue vanity box, the twin of the box he had locked in the closet in his room.

So this is Bradey, he thought. His uncle had explained to him that Bradey would arrive with a duplicate of the box and would give it to Duvine to switch with Lepskias box. But who was this John Willis Bradey was talking about? Another complication?

Up in room 251, having tipped the porter, Bradey joined Maggie on the balcony.

aIsnat this gorgeous!a Maggie exclaimed. aOh, letas explore! Look at that cute steamer! Iad love to go on it! What a cute little town!a aMaggie,a Bradey said quietly. aLetas sit down. I want to talk to you.a Maggie looked at him, her eyes startled.

aWhy, of course, sweetheart. Is something wrong?a They re-entered the room and sat down.

aI am in the pipeline to make a million dollars,a Bradey said, knowing money was his wisest opening move.

aA million dollars!a Maggie exclaimed. aYou canat mean it!a aLook, baby, itas better for you not to know anything about it, but it is a fact: one million dollars.a Bradey smiled. aHow would you like to marry me?a aYou and a million dollars? Try and stop me! Iad adore it!a Bradey suppressed a sigh. He wondered what her reaction would have been if he hadnat mentioned the million dollars.

aFine! As soon as we get home, baby, weall get married, but to get this money, I need your help.a aYou have only to tell me, Lu. Just tell me how I can help.a aWe leave here the day after tomorrow. We will drive along the lake road to Villeneuve: not far. There, I will leave you. You will take the car and drive to Zurich and stay at the Baur au Lac hotel. I will join you in less than a week.a aDrive to Zurich?a Maggieas voice shot up. aBut, Lu, I couldnat. I . . .a aThereas nothing to it,a Bradey said patiently. He took from his wallet a folded piece of paper. aHereas your route. Itas simple. Hereas a street plan showing you how to find the hotel. A room is reserved for you.a He pulled his chair closer. aLetas go through it together.a After a quarter of an hour, Maggie said doubtfully that she thought she could find her way.

aBut canat I stay with you?a she asked plaintively. aMust I go on my own?a aIf you want me and a million dollars, you have to go!a Bradey said, a snap in his voice.

aWhat will you do?a aEarn a million dollars: something you donat want to know about.a From his hip pocket, he took a wallet and handed it to her. aThese are blank travelleras cheques: worth fifteen thousand Swiss francs. Have yourself a ball in Zurich while you wait for me. Okay?a aAll this for me?a aYes, but you will have to take care of your hotel bill. Okay?a Maggie gave a squeal of delight.

aYou are the sweetest of the sweetest!a aFine.a Bradey nodded. aOne more thing. The vanity box. I need that. When you are in Zurich, buy yourself another. Right?a Maggieas sea-green eyes popped wide open.

aOh, no! It is the first present you have ever given me! I adore it! You canat have it!a Bradey had been antic.i.p.ating her opposition. He gave her his con smile.

aI need it, baby. Now, you and I will go out right now and we will go to one of the best watch shops and I will buy you a beautiful watch to make up for the vanity box; self-winding, solid gold with diamonds. Howas that?a aSolid gold with diamonds, and I can buy another vanity box?a Bradey smiled at her.

aThatas what the man said.a Maggie jumped to her feet; her eyes sparkling with excitement.

aLetas go!a She rushed to the door, then paused. aThen can we go on that steamer?a aWeall even do that,a Bradey said.

They rode down in the elevator, and watched by Sergas Holtz, they walked out into the suns.h.i.+ne, arm in arm, and headed for the nearest Omega watch shop.

Happily for Bradey, Maggie was easy to please. She adored going to Evian on the steamer. She adored wandering down the narrow main street where the shops were. She peered at all the shop windows, and when she wasnat doing that, she was adoring her new watch. Bradey; thinking of the million dollars he was going to earn, wandered with her, bored stupid.

In the evening they visited the Montreux casino and Maggie won twenty francs which sent her out of her mind with delight.

He took her to Hazyland disco where they danced among the young and Maggie caused wolf whistles which she loved. They had wild s.e.x when they returned to their room and they slept.

The following morning, Bradey drove her to see Noel Cowardas old home. Maggie adored the mountains and the drive. She got out of the car, outside Cowardas entrance, to gape. Sitting in the car, Bradey, although his mind was occupied with the task ahead, watched her and told himself, he could do a h.e.l.l of a lot worse than marrying this beauty.

After lunch at Le Cygrie, the Montreux Palace hotelas grillroom, Maggie pleaded to go on a steamer again. They took the trip to Lausanne and returned to the hotel in time for dinner.

So the day pa.s.sed. Maggie declared she adored everything.

As she lay in his arms, sleeping, Bradey thought of tomorrow.

Duvine, with the Lepskis, would be arriving. He hoped they wouldnat be late. This operation was a matter of timing. He slept badly that night.

To avoid the Italian customs and a major Swiss customs frontier, Duvine had driven via Gren.o.ble, bypa.s.sing Geneva and driving along Lake Leman on the French side of the lake to the Swiss frontier outside St Gingolph.

The Lepskis, who had lived all their lives in Florida, had never seen mountains as big and as impressive as they saw on the route de Napoleon. Even Lepski was impressed. Carroll was ecstatic.

aTom!a she cried. aJust look at this view! Itas worth the rest of our trip!a Duvine sighed with relief. Well, at least, something was pleasing these difficult two.

aWell, yeah,a Lepski said grudgingly. aI guess itas pretty good, but our Rocky mountains are as good.a aLepski! Since when have you ever seen the Rocky mountains? Donat show your ignorance!a Carroll said scathingly.

aWell, weave got the Grand Canyon too,a Lepski said defensively. aThat wants some beating.a aSince when have you seen the Grand Canyon?a Lepski made a noise like a fall of gravel, and Claudette broke in hurriedly. aWeall be coming to Lake Leman. One side is Swiss, the other side is French. Isnat that a nice arrangement?a aHow cute!a Carroll said. aYou know, Claudette, Iam just loving all this.a aWhen do we eat?a Lepski asked.

aThereas a little restaurant not far from here,a Duvine said.

He had given up trying to please these two with good food. Why waste money on them, he reasoned to himself, when all they wanted was a G.o.dd.a.m.n steak? Although the Duvines enjoyed their curried scampi, the Lepskis found their steaks tough.

aWe should have brought along your mincer, baby,a Lepski said, chewing hard. aThen we could have had ground meat.a Carroll told him to be quiet.

Half an houras drive would bring them to the Swiss frontier and Duvine, knowing it was the last hurdle to cross, had to control his uneasiness.

aSwiss officials can be awkward,a he said to Lepski as they drove along the lake road. aLeave them to me. Iall tell them that you are a distinguished American police officer. They could make us open our bags. The trick with them is to give them a bone. Weall stop at the next village and buy some Scotch which we will declare.a Lepski brightened.

aScotch? Thatas a great idea!a They stopped at a wine merchant just before the frontier, and bought two bottles of Scotch and two bottles of champagne.

aThis should do it,a Duvine said, putting the bottles in the boot of the car. Looking at the luggage, seeing the blue vanity box very much in evidence, he was inspired to move it close to his own luggage and pull his and Claudetteas coats over it, leaving the Lepskisa new-looking luggage exposed.

He got back into the car and drove down the narrow street leading to the French customs post. His hands were moist and his mouth was dry.

The French customs guard waved them through. They drove the few yards towards the Swiss customs post.

Two tall, grey-uniformed men moved out into the street.

aLeave all this to me,a Duvine said as he wound down his window.

Lepski became alert. His police training told him that Duvine was unnaturally tense, and this puzzled him. He wondered why Duvine was making such a thing of this. He told himself to relax. Duvine must know from experience what he was about. He handed Carrollas and his pa.s.sports to Duvine who, with his own, gave the guard a friendly nod and offered the pa.s.sports.

The guard regarded him with cold, stony eyes, then stepping back, examined the pa.s.sports. These, after a long scrutiny, he handed back.

aHave you anything to declare?a he asked in French.

aNo, nothing. Two bottles of whisky and two champagne: nothing else,a Duvine said.

aOpen your boot please.a aWhatas he say?a Lepski demanded, irritated that the conversation was in French.

aHe wants me to open the boot,a Duvine told him as he got out of the car.

aWhy?a aThey do,a Duvine said curtly, wis.h.i.+ng to G.o.d Lepski would keep quiet.

He went around to the back of the car and opened the boot.

To his dismay, Lepski also got out of the car and joined him.

aWhich is the luggage of the American gentleman?a the guard asked.