Strictly For Cash Part 13

aI said we needed every nickel of it, Jack,a she said, without looking up.

aMaybe you do.a The waiter came and switched plates. Ricca started talking about the casino at Los Angeles. The moment had pa.s.sed, but I wasn't kidding myself. He'd try again. How far he was prepared to push it remained to be seen, but he wasn't the type to give up easily.

We had coffee and brandy on the terrace. I was in the middle of explaining to Ricca my idea of lighting the swimming-pool when I saw him and Della look up and past me. I glanced up. There was a girl standing right by me. For a moment I didn't recognize her, then I saw she was Georgia Harris Brown, and she was drunk.

I hadn't seen her since that day we had parted on the beach, and seeing her again came as a shock to me.

ah.e.l.lo, handsome,a she said, and put her hand on my shoulder. aRemember me?a She was wearing a pair of linen slacks and a halter. Her cute, pert little face was flushed, and the whites of her eyes were bloodshot.

I got up. Ricca got up too. Della watched me, the way a cat watches a mouse. I had an idea I was heading for trouble. aIs there anything I can do?a I asked stiffly.

aSure.a Her fingers gripped my coat to steady herself. aThat's why I'm here.a aYou know Mrs. Wertham?a I said. aThis is Jack Ricca. Ricca, I'd like you to meet Miss Harris Brown.a Ricca bowed, but she ignored him.

aI thought you were Ricca,a she said.

aSo I am. He's my cousin, on my father's side.a aIt surprises me a louse like you had a father,a she said.

The words hung in empty s.p.a.ce. I didn't say anything. Ricca didn't say anything. Della lit a cigarette.

ah.e.l.lo, b.a.s.t.a.r.d,a Miss Harris Brown went on.

I was aware Ricca was watching me with interest. Della's face had gone pale, but she didn't make a move. They were my cards, and I had to play them.

aWhat do you want?a I said.

Della and Ricca weren't the only two looking at me now. Everyone on the terrace was looking.

She pushed her b.r.e.a.s.t.s out at me, and her red-painted lips curved into a smile that was as vicious as her eyes.

aI want to know who the wh.o.r.e is you're going around with,a she said. aThe pretty little trollop with red hair. The one you take to your rooms on Franklin Boulevard. The one you slop over at Raul's. Who is she?a I went hot, then cold. My brain closed up. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out of it.

Ricca said, aShe's his sister by his mother's side. Now go away, you drunken little fool. Your eyes are watery, your nose is red, and you've got a stinking, rotten breath.a Someone in the audience laughed.

Miss Harris Brown collapsed like a p.r.i.c.ked balloon.

I watched her run across the terrace, down the steps and towards her cabin. Then I looked at Ricca.

aIt was easier for me to do it,a he said, abut if I spoke out of turn, I'm sorry.a aThanks,a I said. aShe was drunk.a Then I looked at Della.

aWhere's Raul's Johnny?a she asked, smiling, but her eyes were like chips of ice. aOr shouldn't I ask?a aYou heard what I said: she was drunk.a aWe get them like that in Los Angeles,a Ricca said soothingly.

aYou don't have to pay any attention to them. They are kind of crazy in the head.a Della got up.

aJack and I are going over to Bay Street,a she said, without looking at me. aWe'll be seeing you.a She walked down the steps towards her car.

Ricca patted my arm.

aWomen are funny animals,a he said, aand she's no exception.a It might have been Reisner talking.

aDon't let it bother you, Johnny.a He went after her, and his smile was a mile wide.

chapter twenty-seven.

I sat at my desk, a cigarette smouldering between my fingers, my brain busy. The writing was on the wall. I didn't kid myself I could bluff Della. She was too smart. By tonight she would have found out about Ginny, my apartment on Franklin Boulevard and Raul's. Then would come the show-down.

She wouldn't have to give me away to Hame. She'd team up with Ricca and let him take care of me. This was my out. I had to skip before it was too late.

I twisted around in my chair and looked at the safe. Behind that heavy steel door was a bundle of money belonging to me. If I could get to it, I hadn't a worry in the world. But I hadn't a hope of opening that door without the combination.

For nearly four weeks I had sat around hoping the combination would drop in my lap. I now had three hours, possibly four, to get it if I was ever going to get it.

I wouldn't get it from Della: I was sure of that. Then who else knew it beside Della? For the first time I really began to bend my brains on the problem. Reisner had known it, but he was dead. The firm who made the safe would know it, but they wouldn't part with the information. Would Louis know it? There was a chance he might. I picked up the telephone and called his office.

aLouis? This is Ricca. I've got a problem. Mr. Van Etting is in my office. He wants to cash a cheque in a hurry. Mrs. Wertham's out. You wouldn't know the combination of the safe?a I did it well. My voice was business-like, but casual.

aI'm sorry, Mr. Ricca, but I do not know it,a Louis said, and from the sound of his voice he would have told me if he had known it.

aAw, h.e.l.l!a I said. aWhat am I going to do? This guy's getting in a rage.a aMaybe you could reach Mrs. Wertham,a Louis said. aShe may be at Bay Street.a aI've already tried. She's not around. You haven't three thousand bucks in your office, have you?a He said he never kept big sums in his office.

aOkay, forget it, Louis. Sorry to have bothered you. I guess Mr. Van Etting will have to get into a rage.a I wasn't disappointed. It had been a hunch, and it hadn't come off. I was about to replace the receiver when he said, aIf Miss Doering had been with us she could have told you.a Miss Doering? I stared at the opposite wall. Reisner's secretary! Della had given her the sack. She had been furious with her for calling Hame when Reisner hadn't shown up.

I gripped the receiver until my hand ached.

aDid Miss Doering know the combination?a aWhy, yes, Mr. Ricca. When Mr. Reisner was out she took care of the money.a aWell, she isn't here,a I said, making out I wasn't interested anymore. aNever mind. Forget it, Louis, and thanks.a I hung up and sat thinking for a moment or so, then I grabbed the telephone again and got through to the staff supervisor.

aThis is Ricca. Can you give me Miss Doering's address?a She asked me to hold on. The minute I had to wait seemed like an hour.

a247c Coral Boulevard.a aGot her phone number?a Another wait.

aLincoln Beach 18577.a aThanks,a I said, broke the connection, paused long enough to wipe the sweat off my face, then got on the phone again.

aGet me Lincoln Beach 18577.a I hadn't had any previous dealings with Miss Doering. Della had handled her, and from what she had told me, she had handled her pretty roughly. I had seen her, and she had seen me. I had given her a smile now and then because she was a looker. I I had no idea what she thought of me, and I knew I couldn't put this across over the telephone. I had to see her.

The line clicked and buzzed, then a woman said, ah.e.l.lo?a aMiss Doering?a aI guess so.a aThis is Johnny Ricca. I want to see you. I could be with you in fifteen minutes. How about it?a There was a pause, then she said, aWhat about?a aIf I told you that I shouldn't see you, and I want to see you. Okay for me to come over?a aIf that's the way you feel about it.a aI'm on my way.a I walked out of the office, along the corridor to the elevator. I rode down to the ground floor and tramped across the lobby to the terrace. Someone spoke to me, but I didn't look to see who it was. I kept right on. The Buick was waiting at the foot of the terrace. I got in and drove down the carriageway. The guards opened the gates as soon as they saw me. I was doing seventy before I hit the highway.

247 Coral Boulevard was a sprawling mansion that had been converted into apartments. I took a creaking elevator to the fourth floor and walked down a corridor to a door on which the numbers 247c were picked out in white paint against a glossy apple-green background.

I leaned against the bell-push. She had the door open before I could really get any weight into it: a blonde, slim lovely, with arched eyebrows that weren't her own, a figure you only see in Esquire and an invitation in her eyes.

aYou must have moved,a she said. aCome on in.a She was wearing one of those house-coat things. The way it set off her figure was n.o.body's business.

We went into a small room that was cluttered up with a settee, two armchairs, a radio and a table. You couldn't have swung even a Manx cat in it. She sat on the settee and I sat beside her.

We looked at each other. I had an idea she wasn't going to be difficult to handle.

aHave you found another job yet?a I asked.

aNo. Want to give me one?a She crossed her legs, showing me a knee that might have interested me before I met Ginny, but which I scarcely looked at now.

aI want the combination of the safe in Reisner's office. Louis said you knew it. That's why I'm here.a aWell, you certainly don't believe in wasting time,a she said, and smiled. aWhat makes you think I'll give it to you?a aI'm just hoping. You don't seem surprised.a She leaned forward and dug a long forger into my chest.

aI'm surprised you haven't been before. I was expecting you, handsome. Your type doesn't sit in a room all day with a safe full of money without getting ideas. What do you intend to do a" skin her?a aShe promised me a little dough, but she's changed her mind. I'm pulling out and I'm hoping to take what she owes me.a aWhat makes you think I'll help you?a aI have no reason to think you will, but there's no harm in trying.a She leaned closer.

aDon't be so stand-offish. I could be persuaded. I was always a sucker for muscular men.a I kissed her. It was like getting snarled up in a meat-mincer. After a while she pushed me away and drew in a deep breath. aHmmm, not bad. With a little tuition and patience you could be good.a I ran my fingers through my hair, wiped the lipstick off my mouth and took a sly look at the clock on the overmantel. It showed five minutes after five.

aI don't want to hurry this, but I'll have to,a I said.

aDo you think you'll get away with it?a She had opened a powder compact and was restoring her face.

aI'll have a try.a aWhat are you going to do? Walk out with a bundle of money under your arm? The guards will love it.a aI'll take it out in a suitcase in my car.a aAbout as safe as jumping out of this window.a aNow wait a minute. Let's get this straight. Where do you come in on this deal? What's your cut to be?a She laughed.

aDo I look all that crazy? I wouldn't touch a dollar of it. You may not think it, but I don't take money that doesn't belong to me. I have other faults, but that's not one of them. I'm going to give you the combination because I'd like that black-haired, snooty little b.i.t.c.h to be well and properly gypped. I hated Reisner, and I hate her. It's my way of getting even for all I've put up with from both of them. Go ahead, Mr. Ricca, help yourself. The more you take the better I'll like it.a I looked at her. She wasn't fooling.

aOkay, let's have it.a She reached over, opened a drawer in the table nearby and gave me a slip of paper.

aIt's been waiting there ever since I first saw you. I knew sooner or later you'd want it.a I looked at the row of figures, my heart banging against my ribs. Talk about a break ! I could scarcely believe it.

aWell, thanks,a I said, and got to my feet.

aGoing after it now?a aRight now.a aStill going to take it out in your car?a aAny better ideas?a She leaned against me.

aYou're learning, handsome. There's only one way to get that money out and be sure of it. Perhaps you don't know this, but at six every evening the railroad truck calls for luggage or empty crates, or whatever's going by rail. There's always something. Pack the money in a suitcase, address it to yourself at any station to be called for. The man will give you a receipt. You'll find him loading up at the luggage entrance. He handles the stuff himself. There's seldom anyone there. It's the only way, handsome. The guards don't check his stuff, and when you go, you'll go empty-handed.a I patted her on the shoulder.

aYou're more than smart; you're brilliant,a I said. aThat's a whale of an idea.a She leaned more heavily against me.

aShow a little appreciation.a It took me ten precious minutes to untangle myself from her clutches, a quarter of an hour to buy a black pigskin suitcase with good locks, five minutes to buy a coil of thin rope and a big meat hook, and ten minutes to get back to the casino.

As I drove in I asked the green-eyed guard if he had seen Mrs. Wertham.

aNot in yet,a he growled.

I drove fast around to the back of the casino. Twenty feet above me was my office window, overlooking a walled-in garden that was reserved for the management, and no one else. I set the suitcase down immediately below the window, ran back to the car and drove around to the front entrance.

I went up the steps to the terrace three at a time. People said h.e.l.lo, and tried to stop me, but I grinned at them and kept on.

When Della checked up on me she would learn I hadn't come in with a suitcase, only a small brown-paper parcel that contained the rope and the hook.

I got to my office, locked the door, opened the window and dropped the hook, attached to the rope, down on to the suitcase. I snagged it the first throw. I hauled it up, then went over to the safe. With the combination in my hand I turned the tumblers. I was working against time. The desk clock showed five minutes to six.

I came to the last number, turned to it and felt the tumbler fall into position. Holding my breath, I tugged at the handle of the safe. The door swung open.

I sat back on my heels and feasted my eyes on the contents. On two shelves were neat packages of one-hundred dollar bills: stacks and stacks and stacks of them.

I pulled the suitcase closer, opened it and began to pack the bundles in. Two hundred and fifty of them filled the case: it was the most awe-inspiring sight I'd ever set eyes on. There were still another two hundred and fifty bundles left on the shelves. But they didn't belong to me. I left them right where they were.

Before I slammed the suitcase shut I took three one-hundred dollar bills out of one package, folded them small and wedged them down the side of my shoe. Then I snapped the locks, turned the keys and put them in my pocket. I shut the safe door and gave the k.n.o.b of the lock a couple of turns. Then I dusted the safe with my handkerchief and stood up.

I was panting with excitement and my collar was a wet rag. The hands of the clock showed six.

I took the suitcase to the window, leaned out and dropped it. Then I hooked the hook to the windowsill and slid down the rope. When I reached the ground I jerked the hook free, coiled the rope and hid it under a shrub. I picked up the suitcase and bolted across the lawn.

The trucker was just through loading up by the time I got there. He had signed off and was getting into his cab. There was no one else around.

aJust in time, I guess,a I panted.

He looked me over, hesitated, then gave a resigned grin.

aWhere to, mister?a aGot a label?a He found one.

I printed my name on it.

John Farrar, Seaboard Air-Line Railway, Grt. Miami.

To be called for.

He wrote out a receipt.

aSorry to hold you up,a I said, and gave him ten bucks. aKeep the change.a He nearly fell off the truck.

aI'll take care of this for you, sir. It'll be right there waiting for you.a I hoped it would.

I stood back and watched the truck drive away. It made me sweat to think of all that money going on that journey without me to guard every yard of it.

But she was right. It was the smart thing to do. If those two guards spotted the suitcase they would want to know what was inside it: especially the green-eyed guard. He had it in for me.

I folded the receipt the trucker had given me into a narrow ribbon. Right now that sc.r.a.p of paper was worth a quarter of a million dollars. I took off my slouch hat and tucked the ribbon of paper behind the sweat band.

Things were working out better than I had imagined. I had got the money out, now I had to get myself out.

I remembered the .45 Colt automatic I had left in my desk drawer. I might need that gun. I decided to get it.

It took me a couple of minutes to reach the office. I stopped short just inside the doorway.

Della and Ricca were sitting near my desk. Ricca had the Colt in his hand, and it was pointing at me.

chapter twenty-eight.