Джеймс Чейз - Have a Change of Scene

I was satisfied with the way I had handled Rhea. I was sure now that she was no longer suspicious and this was important. With her out of the way, cooling her heels in Frisco and Fel out of the way in Luceville, I had room in which to manoeuvre.

A lot depended now on whether Sydney would call in the police after the robbery. I would have to be careful how I handled him. He would be in a terrible state and furiously angry. When like that he was difficult to control. I would have to warn him and keep warning him that once the police took over, Tom Luce was certain to get to hear what had happened. It depended on whether Sydney’s rage or his fear of Luce won the battle and I was inclined to bet on the latter.

I got back to my apartment at 18.35. I had four hours ahead of me to kill. Remembering I was supposed to be dining with the Johnsons, I took a shower, shaved and changed into a dark suit. Although I did all this in slow motion, I still had three hours and a quarter before I went into action.

I made myself a stiff whisky, turned on the TV which didn’t hold me, so turned it off. I wandered up and down my living room, uneasy and edgy. I kept looking at my watch. I didn’t feel like eating. There was a sick sensation growing in my stomach, but the whisky helped. For no reason at all I suddenly thought of Jenny. I had a sudden impulse to speak to her. Searching through my pocket diary, I found the number of the city hospital, Luceville and put through a call.

After a little delay, Jenny said, ‘Hello?’

‘Hello yourself,’ I sat down, feeling suddenly relaxed. ‘This is your old partner in Welfare. How are you, Jenny?’

‘Larry!’ The lift in her voice made me feel good. ‘How nice of you to call. I’m getting along fine now. I can even hobble around with two sticks.’

‘You can... that’s wonderful! When are you leaving?’

‘The end of the next week. I can’t wait to get out and to get around again. Tell me, Larry, is all well with you?’

I wondered how she would react if I told her I was about to involve myself in a robbery.

‘I’m all right. Back in harness again... busy. I have a dinner date. I just finished dressing when you suddenly jumped into my mind.’

‘I’ve been thinking of you too. I’m so glad you left this town, Larry. Luceville wasn’t for you.’

‘I guess. Yet I miss it... and you.’ I suddenly wanted to see her again, but I knew this wasn’t possible. In four or five days I would be on my way to Europe and probably wouldn’t ever come back. I thought of her untidy hair, her eyes, her efficiency and her kindness. ‘I have to go to Europe in a few days... business. Otherwise, I would have driven up to see you.’

‘Oh!’ A pause, then she went on, ‘Will you be away long?’

‘I’m not sure... it depends. I may have to go on to Hong Kong. Yes... it’ll be some time.’

‘I see... well, have a good trip.’ There was a sudden flat note in her voice that told me she was upset. I stared at the opposite wall. I thought of the loneliness that lay ahead of me. An exile living in a foreign country. I didn’t even speak any language except my own. How different it would have been to have Jenny with me. With all that money, we could make a wonderful life together. These thoughts flashed through my mind as she said, ‘I suppose the sun is shining your way. Here, it is dreadful. There are times when I long for the sun.’

I thought of the fun I would have showing her Hong Kong, then with a feeling of heavy depression I realised I had left it too late. I couldn’t say ‘Come away with me.’ I couldn’t jump it on her like that. Besides, she couldn’t walk yet. No... it was too late. I would have to leave within a few days after the robbery: probably Monday next. It would be too dangerous not to leave.

‘The sun’s marvellous here,’ I said and now wished I hadn’t called her. ‘I’ll write, Jenny. Well, it’s getting late. Look after yourself.’

‘And you too.’

We spoke for a few more seconds, then I hung up. I sat there, staring at the wall. Was I in love with her? I wondered. I was beginning to think I was, but was she in love with me? Maybe when I was safe in Switzerland, I would write to her and tell her how I felt about her. I would ask her if she would come to Switzerland so we could talk about it. I would send her the air ticket. I felt she would come.

I looked at my watch: still two hours and three-quarters to wait. I couldn’t stay any longer in the apartment so I left and drove to an Interflora that remained open late. I ordered roses to be sent to Jenny and wrote a card on which I said I would be in touch with her before long. Then knowing I should eat something, I drove to the Spanish Bay Hotel and went into the snack bar. I had a smoked salmon sandwich and a glass of neat vodka.

One of my clients, Jack Calshot, a rich, boozy-faced stockbroker came over and joined me. We talked of this and that. He said he was looking for an emerald and ruby bracelet and gave me a heavy wink. ‘Not for the wife, you understand. I’ve found me a piece of tail that’s really enthusiastic, but she needs softening. Got anything like that, Larry?’

I said it was no problem and for him to look in at the shop tomorrow.

I spent the next hour listening to his chat. He was a useful man to know as I had had several good market tips from him in the past. At the back of my mind I thought that very soon all this would change — yet another change of scene. I wondered if I would make friends in Switzerland. From what I had heard about the Swiss, they weren’t overfriendly to foreigners, but at least there would be an American colony I could get to know.

Finally, my watch hands crawled to 21.45. I said so long to Calshot who said he would be around tomorrow at ten o’clock. As I got into the Buick I thought of Fel and flinched inwardly. A bang across the face can hurt. A million dollars could never be easy to earn, I told myself.

As I buzzed the entrance bell to Sydney’s apartment block and as Lawson came across the lobby, I saw Claude come out of the elevator.

They both greeted me as Lawson opened the door.

When Lawson had returned to his office, moving at a trot that told me he had a good show to watch on TV, Claude said, ‘Mr. Sydney is very excitable this evening, Mr. Larry. I had some trouble persuading him to eat his dinner. I do hope you will have a calming influence on him.’

When I thought of what was going to happen, I decided that would be unlikely.

‘I’ll do my best, Claude,’ I said. ‘Goodnight,’ and I took the elevator to the penthouse. Leaving the elevator, I started down the stairs, moving swiftly. I reached the lobby, paused, looked around, then crossing quickly to the entrance door, I turned the knob, lifted the catch, then spun around and started up the stairs. As I had thought, unlocking the entrance door had presented no problems. Reaching Sydney’s front door, I gently turned the handle and found the door unlocked. I re-shut it and rang the bell.

Sydney came bounding to the door, throwing it wide open.

‘Come in, dear boy!’ he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling. ‘Did you have a dreadful dinner?’

‘Pretty bad.’ I closed the front door and taking his arm, went with him into the living room, knowing that the door was unlocked. ‘She’s dithering. I don’t think her husband wants to spend the money, but I ran into Calshot and he’s after an emerald and ruby bracelet. He’ll be in tomorrow... another new chick.’

‘Never mind him... come and look at my designs.’

As I followed him to the desk, I glanced at my watch. The time was 22.10. In another twenty minutes all hell would break loose. I found I was sweating slightly, and taking out my handkerchief, I wiped my hands.