James Chase - An Ace up my Sleeve

In an hour or so, she thought, she would be at the hotel where the service was perfect. She imagined getting into the bath, resting in the bed and then, drinking her first vodka martini. The hotel would accept Larry as her chauffeur, but she would have to be careful. He would have to eat on his own and this she regretted - how bored she was eating meals alone in luxury restaurants, but she knew the hotel would raise its eyebrows and remember if Mrs. Herman Rolfe took dinner with her chauffeur. But after dinner, when she was in the seclusion of her bedroom, she would telephone to Lam’, telling him to come to her. He was almost certain to be a clumsy, selfish lover, but she would control him. Her heart began to hammer as she imagined the moment when he took her roughly in his arms.

The door opened, startling her and Friedlander came in. He looked around, his cunning little eyes puzzled.

“Where’s Larry?”

“He’ll be back. Have you got it?”

“Of course.” He edged into the room, closing the door. “It’s a beautiful job.”

“Let me see it.”

He hesitated, then coming over to her, he handed her the passport. It looked genuine enough and was just worn enough to be acceptable. The name on the passport was Larry Sinclair. Profession: Student. Larry a student? She shrugged. The word Student meant nothing these days: a smoke screen behind which so many young people hid as the word Model was used as often as a smoke screen for a whore.

The photograph was poor, but the stamp looked authentic.

“Yes… it is good.”

“It is a work of art,” Friedlander said peevishly. “It is worth more than three thousand. Be fair, dear… give me another five hundred. That’s not being unreasonable.”

She opened her bag and without taking the roll of money from the bag, she stripped off three one thousand franc bills and dropped them on to the table. Then she put the passport in her bag and closed it.

“If you want more, talk to Larry,” she said.

He picked up the bills and put them in his pocket.

“Don’t make mistakes, dear… so easy to make mistakes.” He stared at her. “Meanness always comes home to roost.”

She eyed him with contempt.

“Go away! You and your filthy breed bore me!”

His small eyes turned baleful.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He backed to the door. “I’d rather be what I am than what you are/ and he flounced out of the room.

She sat still, furious, and men after thinking, she suddenly became sick of herself. His parting shot had hurt.

Twenty minutes later, Larry returned. She heard him tap on the front door and she went to open it. He came in out of the falling snow and into the light of the shabby room. She scarcely recognized him. Cone was the gum chewing hick American. The black tie and the white collar completely changed his appearance. The black trench coat was as formal as a uniform. He looked like tfie chauffeur of the wealthy owner of a Mercedes 300SEL. He was carrying a cheap plastic suitcase and he looked anxiously at her, seeking her approval.

“Wonderful, Larry,” she said, smiling at him. “You look splendid.”

He grinned boyishly.

“I got what you told me, ma’am.”

“Yes… I have your passport… let’s go.”

“I picked up the car, ma’am.” He eyed her a little doubtfully. “It’s right outside. Excuse me for the liberty… I didn’t think you would want to walk all that way to the parking lot.”

She stared at him.

“But how could you? I have the ignition key!”

He automatically reached for the peak of his cap, then finding he wasn’t wearing the cap, he rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand.

“I’m used to cars, ma’am. I don’t need ignition keys. Excuse me if I did wrong.”

“But the car was locked!”

“Yes… that’s right. I just thought I’d save you the walk. It’s snowing pretty hard out there.”

A feeling of fear ran through her. It passed in a moment as she realized how she would have hated to have trudged through the thick snow to the car. He’s clever! she thought. Not only clever, but considerate!

“Thank you for being so thoughtful,” she said and smiled at him. She opened her bag and handed him the ignition key. “In spite of your cleverness, perhaps you better have this.”

He opened the front door and together they went to where he had parked the car. He opened the off-side door and she slid in. Then he went around to the driver’s seat, paused to shake the snow off his new black shoes, then dropped into the driver’s seat.

She told him how to get to the Adlon hotel.

“You gave me too much money, ma’am,” he said as he edged the car out of the courtyard. “I have the change.”

“That’s all right, Larry. You’ll need some spending money… keep it.”

He shook his head.

“No, ma’am, thank you. I explained before… I don’t accept money.”

She smiled at him.

“All right, Larry… I understand. We’ll settle up when we get to the hotel.”

She relaxed back, thinking: He is really rather sweet.

As he drove with the traffic, the wipers swishing away the snow, she looked searchingly at his profile, lit by the passing street lamps, and again she felt a rush of hot blood go through her.

When Helga, followed by Larry, followed by a porter carrying her bags, entered the reception lobby of the Adlon hotel, Karl Fock, the owner of the hotel, happened to be making one of his rare appearances. He immediately recognized her as one of the hotel’s most valued guests.

Karl Fock was built in a generous style. He reminded Helga of the late, unlamented Herman Goering. Fock believed that by snapping his fingers, the world instantly became his oyster, and within his limited sphere, the world did become his oyster. His welcome was warm and slightly overpowering. He bowed over Helga’s hand, brushing her glove with his thick,, moist lips. In a loud guttural voice that carried across the lobby, he declared his happiness to see her again. He had the best suite ready for her. He would conduct her there in person.

The lobby was full of American and Japanaese tourists who stopped their chatter to stare. Helga became the centre of attraction. She was flattered as she became engulfed by Fock’s warm welcome. She was also flattered to see the three reception clerks were bowing to her, ignoring all other guests.

She looked behind her and caught Larry’s eyes. He looked completely bewildered, but Fock snatched her attention away.

“What a wonderful welcome,” she said, her smile stiff. “I have a chauffeur… er… what…?”

A chauffeur?

Fock’s heavy black eyebrows climbed. His expression conveyed that a chauffeur was something of no importance, but seeing her concern, he spun around and snapped his fingers. In dismay, Helga saw the bewildered looking Larry whisked out of sight by a bowing lackey.

Tired, bemused and a little overwhelmed, Helga allowed herself to be escorted to the elevator.

The suite into which she was bowed was the best in the hotel.

“Madame Rolfe, you are exhausted,” Fock said, standing just inside the room. “A maid will unpack for you. Please rest. I would so much like to hear news of Mr. Rolfe. Would you give me the pleasure of dining with me? Please don’t disappoint me.”

Helga hesitated, then she forced a smile. It was impossible to refuse, although dinner with Karl Fock was the last thing she wanted.

“I shall be delighted. You are very kind.”

A fat, comfortable looking maid appeared in the doorway.

“It will be my pleasure,” Fock said, bowing. Then at eight-thirty?”

“Yes.” She hesitated. “My chauffeur?”

Fock waved his fat hands.

“Madame… don’t worry about anything.” He showed his white teeth that resembled the keys of a piano and was gone.