James Chase: No Orchids for Miss Blandish

“I’m talking from the filling station outside La Cygne.” Eddie said, speaking fast and keeping his voice low. “Riley and his mob have just pulled out. They had a girl with them: high class stuff and I mean just that. She’s way out of their class. Riley said she was drunk, but she looked as if she’d been socked on the jaw. It’s my guess Riley’s snatched her. Tell Ma, will you?”

Doc said, “Hold on.” After a long delay, he came back on the line. “Ma wants to know what she looks like and how she was dressed.”

“She’s a redhead,” Eddie said. “She was more than pretty: better looking than most movie stars. I’ve never seen a better looking girl. She had one of those long, thin, aristocratic noses and a high forehead. She was wearing a white evening dress and a black wrap, and they cost plenty.”

He could hear Doc talking to Ma and he waited impatiently.

“Ma thinks it might be the Blandish girl,” Doc said, coming on the line. “She was going to the Golden Slipper out at Pine Valley tonight and she was wearing the Blandish necklace. I can’t imagine Riley going for a job that big, can you?”

Eddie’s mind worked fast.

“Ma could be right. I thought there was something familiar about the girl. I’ve seen pictures of the Blandish girl and come to think of it, this girl looks like her. If Riley’s got her and the diamonds, he’s got plenty.”

Suddenly Ma’s harsh violent voice came over the line. “Is that you, Eddie? I’m sending the boys down right away. Meet them at Lone Tree junction. If Riley’s got the Blandish girl, he’ll take her to Johnny’s place. There’s no place else for him to take her. If it’s the girl, bring her back here.”

Eddie said, “Anything you say, Ma. How about Riley’s gang?”

“Do I have to tell you everything?” Ma snarled. “Use your head and get going!”

The line went dead.

Eddie hurried out to the Buick. He gave the boy a dollar, then he got into the car beside Flynn.

“Let’s go,” he said, his voice excited. “Ma is sending the boys to meet us. She thinks Riley has snatched the Blandish girl!”

Flynn groaned.

“She’s nuts. Those cheap hoods wouldn’t have the nerve to snatch a purse let alone the Blandish dame! Where are we going, anyway?”

“Lone Tree junction, then on to Johnny’s place.”

“Goodbye sleep,” Flynn said savagely. “That’s close on a hundred goddamn miles.” He sent the car moving onto the highway.

Eddie laughed.

“You can sleep anytime,” he said. “I want another look at that babe. Get going!”

Flynn shoved the gas pedal to the boards.

“That’s all you think about — women!”

“What else is better to think of?” Eddie asked. “It’s women and money that make the world go round.”

Dawn was breaking over the hills as the Lincoln climbed the long steep hill that led to Johnny’s hide-out.

Old Sam drove carefully. He was tired, but he didn’t want to admit it. He was always scared these days that Riley would get rid of him for being too old. Bailey and Riley kept looking through the rear window of the car to make sure no one was following them. They were both nervous and their tempers were short.

Miss Blandish sat as far away as she could from Riley. She had no idea where she was being taken. None of the three men had spoken to her since she had recovered consciousness. She was frightened to draw attention to herself by asking questions. She was sure that by now her father would have alerted the police and they would be looking for her. It could be, she tried to assure herself, only a matter of time before she was found, but in the meantime, what was going to happen to her? This was a thought that kept intruding into her mind, filling her with dread. She had no illusions about these men who were with her. She could see how frightened they were. The two younger men, she thought, were the ones to beware of.

During the long drive, Riley could think of nothing but the menace of the Grisson gang. He was sure that Eddie would tell Ma Grisson about the girl. Ma was the smartest and most dangerous member of the gang. He was sure she would guess who the girl was. She would know about the diamonds too. What would she do? The chances were she would send her gang after them. Would she guess they were going to Johnny’s place? He doubted this. Johnny only worked with the small timers. A gang as big as the Grisson gang wouldn’t have dealings with a rummy like Johnny.

He would have to work fast, he told himself. As soon as he had got the girl under cover, he must contact Blandish. The quicker he got the money and the girl back to Blandish the safer it would be for him.

Old Sam swung the Lincoln onto the narrow dirt road that led directly to Johnny’s place. He reduced speed, and after driving a mile or so, they came upon Johnny’s shack, a two-storied wooden building, screened by trees. Leading to it was a rough path that had been cut through the undergrowth.

Old Sam pulled up and Bailey got out.

“See if he’s around,” Riley said, staying where he was. He fingered his gun, looking nervously at the undergrowth.

Bailey went over to the shack and hammered on the door.

“Hey, Johnny!” he shouted.

There was a pause, then Johnny opened the door. He looked at them suspiciously.

Johnny was pushing seventy. He was a tall, skinny old man with a drink-sodden face and dim, watery eyes. At one time, years ago, he had been one of the best safe men in the business, but drink had ruined him.

He looked at Bailey, then over at the car. His eyes took in Miss Blandish.

“What is it?” he asked. “You boys in trouble? It’s Bailey, isn’t it?”

Bailey tried to crowd into the shack, but Johnny stood firm.

“We want to stay here for a few days, Johnny,” Bailey said. “Let us in!”

“Who’s the girl?” Johnny asked not moving.

Riley pushed Miss Blandish out of the car and, followed by Old Sam, came over.

“Come on, Johnny, don’t act coy,” Riley said. “Let us in. There’s plenty of dough in this for you. Come on; don’t keep us out here.”

Johnny stepped back and Riley shoved Miss Blandish into the shack that consisted of one large living room and two rooms upstairs leading out onto a wooden balcony that overhung the living room.

The living room was indescribably dirty. There was a table and four boxes to serve as chairs, an old cooking stove, a hurricane lantern hanging on the wall, a radio on a shelf and not much else.

Old Sam was the last to enter. He closed the door and leaned against it.

Miss Blandish ran over to Johnny. She caught hold of his arm.

“Please help me!” she said breathlessly. The smell of drink and stale sweat that came from him made her feel ill. “These men have kidnapped me. My father...”

Riley dragged her away.

“Shut up!” he snarled at her. “One more word from you and you’ll get hurt.”

Johnny was looking uneasily at Riley.

“I’m not getting mixed up in a snatch,” he said feebly.

“Please telephone my father...” Miss Blandish began when Riley stepped up to her and smacked her face. She reeled back with a startled cry.

“I told you, didn’t I?” he shouted. “Shut up!”

She put her hand to her face, her eyes flashing.

“You beast!” she exclaimed. “How dare you touch me!”

“I’ll do more than touch you if you don’t pipe down!” Riley snarled. “Sit down and shut up or I’ll slap you again!” Old Sam came over. He looked worried. He picked up one of the boxes and put it close to Miss Blandish.

“Take it easy, miss,” he said. “You don’t want to upset the fella.”

Miss Blandish sank onto the box. She hid her face in her hands.