James Chase: Whiff of Money

Dorey stiffened and looked hard at Girland who had lost his bantering expression. There was a steely gleam in his eyes that told Dorey he was being deadly serious.

‘I think you should tell me just what has been happening,’ he said.

I’ll tell you… that’s why I’m here. By the way how has your pal Sherman been getting along since I’ve been away?’

‘What do you expect? Because of his daughter, he has had to remain at home. He’s lost ground. You can’t fight an election at home.’

Girland brightened.

‘Well, that’s good news. Perhaps Gilly has struck a mortal blow after all.’

‘I’m not saying that, but he is now behind. Ten days are vital at this period of the election.’

‘So the creep might not become President after all?’

‘Never mind about him. What’s been happening?’

Girland took one of Dorey’s cigarettes, lit it and settled himself comfortably. He then proceeded to give Dorey a lucid report of the past events.

Dorey sat in his chair, his chin resting on his finger tips, his eyes hooded as he listened. When Girland described Rosnold’s murder, Dorey’s lips tightened, but he still didn’t interrupt.

‘And so when the girl started to cry her eyes out,’ Giriand concluded, ‘I thought the gentlemanly thing to do was to give her the films… so I gave them to her. Perhaps you wouldn’t have?’

Dorey brooded for some moments.

‘You have no real proof that Sherman is implicated with this kidnapping and murder?’ he asked finally.

‘I don’t need proof. Sherman and Radnitz are buddy-buddies. Gilly made a nuisance of herself… Q.E.D. What’s it matter anyway? She isn’t charging the creep with attempted murder.’

Dorey winced.

‘I find this difficult to believe,’ he said slowly, but his shocked eyes told Girland he did believe.

‘You don’t have to… it’s over now… who cares?’

‘What has happened to the girl?’.

Girland shrugged.

‘You don’t have to worry about her. She is capable of taking care of herself. She’ll keep her promise… I’m sure of that.’

Dorey began to relax.

‘You realise, Girland, that unless I give those three films to Sherman, he won’t part with any more money?’

‘I knew that when I gave Gilly the films,’ Girland said and smiled wryly. ‘I earned the first ten thousand dollars so I keep them but I intend to spend them as fast as I can. I wouldn’t take any more money from Sherman if he offered it to me…some money smells, but his money stinks.’

Dorey lifted his hands a little helplessly.

‘There are times when I don’t understand you,’ he said. ‘I was under the impression any money smelt good to you.’

‘Well, we all live and learn.’ Girland laughed. ‘I have another choice item of news for you,’ and he went on to tell Dorey that Kovski was heading for disgrace.

Dorey considered this, then shook his head.

‘It isn’t good news, Girland.’ I would rather have a blustering fool like Kovski in charge of Security than a devil like Malik back in the active field. You’re not using your head.’

Girland acknowledged the truth of this by nodding.

‘Yes… I must admit that fact had escaped me. Not that I could have done anything about it. It’s Malik’s private vendetta, Anyway, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m distinctly ex now. I don’t suppose I’ll ever run into Malik again. You had better warn your boys. They have been having it too soft recently.’

Dorey rubbed his jaw as he regarded Girland.

‘I don’t believe you really want to leave us, Girland. Now there is an interesting little job in Tangier that would exactly suit you.’ He reached for a file and drew it lovingly towards him. ‘Plenty of action… two women… pretty ones involved. Yes, it would exactly suit you and I know you could handle it.’ Girland lifted his eyebrows. ‘The old siren at work again. How about the money?’

This is an official job so you would be paid official rates,’ Dorey said, a sudden waspish note in his voice.

Girland levered himself out of the chair.

‘No, thank you. I have ten thousand dollars to squander. I’ve given up working for peanuts.’ He lifted his hand and flapped his fingers at Dorey. ‘So long. If anything crops up in the ten thousand dollar bracket, I might consider it. Think big is my motto: should be yours too.’

He wandered out, closing the door gently behind him. His face lit up with his charming smile as he saw Mavis Paul at her typewriter.

She looked up, flushed and then continued to type.

‘Not a word of welcome?’ Girland said, coming to the desk and smiling down at her. ‘Not one glad little cry of pleasure?’

Mavis hesitated and then stopped typing. She looked up at him.

‘Did anyone tell you you have eyes like stars and lips made for a kiss?’ Girland asked. ‘I got that off a bottle of perfume.’

‘The exit is behind you and to the right,’ Mavis said without sounding very convincing.

‘How about a dinner with me at Lasserre: soft music, beautiful food, velvety wines? I have lots of money I want to get rid of. Shall we say nine o’clock?’

Mavis regarded him. She thought he looked very handsome. An evening out with him couldn’t fail to be exciting. She suddenly realised her life up to now had been all work and no play.

‘Thank you… yes…’

‘My mother once told me that if I didn’t at first succeed… Girland laughed happily. ‘This is going to be the most maddeningly exciting evening of my life… and your life. Then nine o’clock at Lasserre.’

She nodded and began typing again.

Girland wandered to the door. As he was about to leave, she stopped typing. He turned and looked inquiringly at her.

Her eyes were sparkling as she asked, ‘Do you still own that Bukhara rug?’