James Chase - Not My Thing

The two men sat at the table. While eating the thick slices of smoked salmon, Felder, aware that Jamison didn’t want to talk about immediate business as the waiters remained in the room, talked about Zurich, the weather, the currency situation and the strengthening of the dollar. He was an expert at harmless small talk.

Jamison, who hadn’t eaten since he had flown from Paradise City, ate well. He grunted, nodded, but made no effort to contribute to Felder’s gentle flow of waffle.

Finally the meal ended. The waiters removed the dishes. It was then that Jamison came alive. He stared at Felder.

‘Now… what have you to tell me?’

‘I believe, Mr Jamison, with your approval, I have solved your problem,’ Felder said, relaxing back in an armchair and fingering the balloon glass of cognac the waiter had poured before leaving. ‘I don’t think I need to tell you that an American citizen, residing in the States, is not allowed to have an undeclared bank account in Switzerland. Further, although the Swiss banks will accept payments, they will not accept money that can be proved comes from criminal sources. This man Kling is a resident of the States and an American citizen. For the past five or six years, he has been using the Bovay Bank to pay in sums of money. Henri Bovay appears to be in debt to this man… some important favour, but we need not go into that. He has allowed Kling to pay in money without question of its origin. I have talked to Paul Bovay. He understands the problem. He is more than willing to co-operate.’ Felder paused to sip his excellent cognac. ‘I suggest, Mr Jamison, you pay into Kling’s account the five-million-dollar ransom demand. Bovay will notify Kling that the money has been placed to his credit.’

‘How will he do that?’ Jamison asked.

‘Naturally, Kling wouldn’t want an official receipt. Some letters with Swiss stamps are often examined by the American authorities. So it has been agreed between Henri Bovay and Kling that when money has been received into his account, he will receive a tourist postcard. In this case, he will get a postcard saying ‘Five of your friends are hoping to see you soon’ and signed with Bovay’s initials. That will tell Kling the five million has been paid into his account.’

Jamison nodded.

‘Then…?’

‘Bovay will then alert the Zurich police that he has received ransom money and the kidnapper will claim it. Kling will have to come to the bank to claim the money and he will be arrested.’ Felder paused, then went on, ‘By the time it takes Kling to fly to Zurich, he will have released Mrs Jamison, convinced he has the money, and she will be safe.’

‘No,’ Jamison thought, his face expressionless, ‘she will be dead, and I will be free to marry Tarnia.’

‘You are sure this postcard will convince Kling the money has been paid?’

‘Bovay tells me so,’ Felder said. ‘Yes, I think there is no doubt about that.’

‘Then I see no reason why my wife shouldn’t be released.’ Jamison sat back, thinking. Yes! he told himself, as soon as Kling got the postcard he would murder Shannon. He now wanted to be rid of Felder so he could take a long, earnest look at this dangerous and complicated situation.

‘You have done extremely well, Felder,’ he said, and got to his feet. ‘Thank you. I take it the Organization will advance the five million quickly?’

‘No problem, Mr Jamison. We have plenty of liquid assets.’ Felder felt he was being dismissed. He hurriedly swallowed the last of the cognac and got to his feet.

‘I suppose it will take a few days for the postcard to reach Kling?’ Jamison asked.

‘Oh no. It will be sent express. I would say not more than two days.’

‘Have it addressed to Kling at the Star Motel, Paradise City. Kling is staying there. Go ahead, Felder, don’t let us waste any time.’

The two men shook hands and Jamison ushered Felder from his suite.

He then sat down, lit a cigar and considered the situation.

Before leaving Zurich he had hit on what seemed to him to be a safe solution to avoid paying Kling.

Kling’s plan for the police to find Shannon’s dead body in the trunk of a stolen car, plus two hundred thousand dollars, should convince the police that the kidnapper, who must be an amateur, had panicked, killed Shannon and bolted, leaving the ransom.

If the police accepted that, then no suspicion could fall on either Kling or himself.

Once Kling was convinced that he (Jamison) had carried out his side of the bargain, and Kling had received the postcard from his Swiss bank, he, being the professional that he was, would carry out his part of the bargain.

But by murdering Shannon Kling would deliver himself into Jamison’s hands.

When Kling discovered he had been gypped of five million dollars, he would not dare carry out his threat to go to the District Attorney and report he had been hired by Jamison to kidnap Shannon and had done so, with no intention of harming her. Those tapes he had of his conversation with Jamison would no longer be incriminating unless Kling was prepared to face trial for murder. Jamison was sure that Kling, who had apparently no police record, would not risk being tried for murder. Kidnapping, yes, but murder, no! Even with the influence of the Mafia behind him, Kling would most certainly have to serve a lengthy prison sentence.

Jamison nodded, satisfied with his thinking.

He would now have to wait until the postcard arrived. Then he would see Kling again. Once he was sure Kling had murdered Shannon, he would tell Kling not to go to his Swiss bank to collect his money as the Swiss police would be waiting to arrest him. Kling would have to accept the fact that Jamison had outwitted him, and would fade out of the picture.

Jamison frowned.

But would Kling fade out of the picture?

Jamison reminded himself he was dealing with a ruthless, professional killer. When he told Kling that he wasn’t getting the money, he might fly into a rage, produce his gun and kill him.

Jamison thought about this. There was this unpleasant possibility. He must take precautions. He decided he would write out the whole account of his meeting with Lucan, his meeting with Kling, how Shannon’s murder had been arranged. He would include every detail. There would be no question of calling in a stenographer. He would have to do this himself.

Well, he told himself, he had all night. When the document was completed, he would send it to his attorney: To be opened in the event of my death. He would borrow a photocopy machine from the hotel and have a copy for Felder, and certainly a copy for Kling. That would mean he would not have to see Kling again.

He moved to the desk, sat down, found paper and in his small, neat handwriting began to write.

Ng Vee returned to the Star Motel a little after 13.00. He found Kling still in bed, still nursing his hangover, and in a surly mood.

‘Where the hell have you been?’ Kling snarled.

‘Excuse me, sir,’ Ng said. ‘I gave the lady lunch. Can I get you something?’

Kling glared at him.

‘She’s got food there, hasn’t she? What’s the matter with you? She’ll be dead in a few days, so what the hell?’

Ng flinched.

‘Can I get you something, sir?’

‘No. Leave me alone!’

Ng went into the kitchen and closed the door.

She’ll be dead in a few days!

Tonight he would go to Jamison’s villa and kill him. That was the solution. That was the only solution!

Sitting on the edge of the kitchen table, Ng thought back on the three hours he had spent with Shannon Jamison.

Wonderful, marvellous hours!

While he had been preparing lunch for her, she had come into the little kitchen and had talked, while she watched him cook. Little by little, she encouraged him to talk about himself. Her quiet, calm voice was a delight to him.