James Chase - The Whiff of Money

Labrey’s hand cracked across her buttocks, making a pistol-like report.

“Ooooh! You beast!” Vi cried, dancing with the sting and rubbing herself. She started towards the basin of water when Labrey snarled, “Come here and sit down or you’ll get a hiding!”

The note in his voice brought her to an abrupt standstill. She looked at him. His thin, white face had that savage expression she didn’t often see, but when she did, it scared her.

“All right, all right, you needn’t have hit that hard.” She came hurriedly and sat by his side. “What is it? God! You hurt me!”

“I want to know exactly what happened between Girland and Benny. I want every detail... right from the beginning.”

“What on earth for?” Vi demanded, bewildered, her eyes opening wide.

Labrey’s hand came down on her naked thigh with another vicious slap that made her squeal.

“Talk!”

Hurt and now really scared, Vi talked. At the end of her recital, Labrey said, “You’re definitely meeting him at this restaurant at nine o’clock tonight?”

“Yes.” Vi rubbed the red mark on her thigh. “Look what you’ve done to me, you stinking brute!”

“Shut up!” Labrey thought for a long moment. “You’re sure it was a blue film?”

“I’ll say. They were on the bed, very busy.”

Labrey got to his feet.

“Now listen, don’t say a word to anyone about this... do you understand? Don’t go yakking as you always yak.” He leaned forward, his eyes glittering to stare directly into her eyes. “This is important. If you say one word to anyone, I’ll fix you and you’ll stay fixed!”

Vi shrank away from him, horrified by the murderous expression in his eyes.

“I won’t say a thing... honest”

“You’d better not. Stay here until I come back. Don’t move from here!”

“I’ll stay.”

Again he stared at her for a long chilling moment, then turned and went from the room. She heard him going down the stairs three at the time.

What’s happening, she thought. Oh, God! He’s never been like this before! He looked as if he could kill me! Has he gone crazy! What does it all mean?

She sat there, trembling, the water from the ends of her hair making patterns on the red, soiled bedspread.

Although he was satisfied that he had lost Drina, Girland was still cautious. He wanted to be certain there wasn’t a second tail. As Drina darted off down Rue de Vaugirard, Girland left the shop doorway and retraced his way towards Benny’s studio. He spotted a free taxi, crawling in the traffic, signalled and slid in as the taxi stopped. The taxi moved off again before the cars behind could begin any impatient hooting. Girland told the driver to take him to the American Embassy.

Twenty minutes later, he walked into Mavis Paul’s office. The moment she saw him, she snatched up a heavy ruler and eyed him suspiciously. She had had one embarrassing experience with him and she had no intention of repeating it.

“Hello, beautiful,” Girland said, regarding the ruler and keeping his distance. “Long time no see. You’re looking as radiant as this May morning. When are we going to have dinner together? I have a new and wonderful Bukhara rug I want to show you.”

Mavis snapped down a switch on the intercom.

“Mr Girland is here, sir.”

“Send him in.” Dorey’s voice was curt.

Mavis flicked her pretty fingers to the door.

“On your way, Romeo.”

Girland shook his head sadly.

“If only you could realise what you are missing. A night out with me is an experience every beautiful girl dreams of.”

“I can imagine,” Mavis said, unimpressed. “He’s waiting,” and putting down the ruler where she could grab it, she continued with her typing.

“The last time you kissed me...” Girland began but Mavis seized the ruler.

“Not another word from you!” she said, her face red. “Go in there!”

The door opened and Dorey peered into the office.

“What are you waiting for, Girland? Come in... come in,” he said impatiently.

As Girland wandered into the big room, he said sadly, “It’s spring and yet there is still ice around. I find it depressing.”

“You leave my secretary alone,” Dorey snapped. He had once caught Girland kissing Mavis and the shock still irked him. “She’s a serious girl and you’re wasting your time.”

Girland folded himself down in the visitor’s chair.

“It’s never a waste of time. Where there’s a will, there’s a woman.”

Dorey snorted and sat behind his desk.

“You are sure Drina was following you?”

“Of course.” Girland took the 8mm film from his pocket and put it on the desk. “Lock it away. Now the Soviets are interested that film could be dynamite for Sherman.”

“You think Drina spotted Sherman?”

“I’m sure of it.” Girland reached for one of Dorey’s hand-made cigarettes and lit it. “I can’t understand why they didn’t alert the police that he was travelling on a false passport. They could have got him cold. Why follow me?”

“Kovski is a fool,” Dorey said. “We can thank our lucky stars.”

“Well, at least, he knows you have met Sherman and there is a film involved.” Girland thought for a moment. “If Kovski thinks this is important enough — and it’s my bet he will — he will put pressure on Benny Slade.”

“Who’s he?” Dorey demanded.

Girland told him.

“Benny had to see the film. The girl meant nothing to him. I had to show him the film to get a lead on the man who shot it. Kovski could work on Benny who is soft. If they twist his arm, he will sing. If Benny sings, Sherman is in real trouble.”

Dorey considered this.

“I can’t do anything official, Girland. I’m relying on you. Can you protect this man?”

“Oh, sure, but it’ll cost.” Girland studied Dorey. “You did say expenses, didn’t you? I don’t want my money frittered away.”

“This is important. Spend what you like.”

Girland looked at Dorey.

“I would never have expected to hear you make such a statement,” he said. “Well, well... of course it’s Sherman’s money you’re spending, but even at that...”

Dorey banged his fist on the desk.

“I want action and I want results! You’ll be paid, but I want results.”

“Take it easy. I know a couple of toughies who can take care of Benny. Instead of screaming for results, Dorey, let’s have some money.”

Dorey took from his drawer a thick envelope which he tossed across the desk.

“Here’s ten thousand in traveller’s cheques.”

“Thank you... now I can get to work.”

Girland stowed the envelope away in his pocket.

“Don’t lose them! They’re unsigned!” Dorey hated to see Girland take so much money from him so casually.

“The way you’re working yourself up, you’re heading for an ulcer.” Girland reached for the telephone. He spoke quietly, then replaced the receiver. “That takes care of Benny.” There was a pause, then he went on, “Maybe you had better alert Sherman the Soviets are interested in him.”

“How can I?” Dorey lifted his hands and slammed them down on his desk. “I can’t send him a coded cable. He’s never learned to decode a cable for himself. I’m cut off from him. This is unofficial, and it has to remain unofficial.”

Girland stroked the end of his nose while he thought.

“I’m beginning to see now that I’ll have to earn my money,” he said with a crooked smile. “I’m not so sure I’m going to like this job.”

“If you don’t want it then give me back my money!” Dorey barked.

“I’m not as sure as all that.” Girland got up and began to move to the door.

“And leave my secretary alone!” Dorey said.