If he didn’t call the police, then I was in the clear. I would sell the necklace stone by stone, stash the money away in Switzerland, continue to work for Sydney for three or four months, then plead ill-health and resign. I would then go to Europe and settle down somewhere, probably in the Swiss Alps with my million dollars.
Then I remembered Rhea and Fel. How would they react when they discovered they had stolen glass and not diamonds? Those two could be as dangerous and as vicious as Spooky. Being involved in the robbery, they wouldn’t dare inform on me, but they could come after me.
I brooded about this. Then I remembered I would have to be pistol whipped by Fel to keep suspicion from me. I would take advantage of this. I could make out that my nerves had been shot to hell and I had to get away at once. By the way I would fix it, it would take Rhea and Fel some ten days before they found out they had stolen an imitation. By that time I would be in Europe and far away from their avenging hands. Then I would write to Sydney, telling him I was quitting for good.
I sat there, nursing my drink, my mind busy when at three minutes past midnight, the telephone bell rang.
My hand wasn’t too steady as I lifted the receiver.
‘Carr here.’
Fel said, ‘Cabin 35.’
I drew in a deep breath.
‘She there?’
Fel chuckled.
‘You bet.’
‘Tomorrow night at ten,’ I said and hung up.
The following day dragged interminably. Fortunately, we were not busy in the shop and I could do some thinking.
Terry had been watching me. Finally, he became curious and he sauntered over to my desk.
‘Have you something on your mind, Larry?’ he asked, staring at me with his mean little eyes. ‘You seem awfully thoughtful.’
‘A headache,’ I said briefly, jumping at the chance to make out I was still far from well.
‘So sorry.’ He looked as sorry as a man who finds a ten dollar bill in the street. ‘You returned too soon. I can’t understand why Sydney wanted you back so badly. There are times when he is so inconsiderate. I was quite capable of handling your work as well as mine. Why don’t you go home and nurse your poor head? Miss Barlow and I can manage beautifully.’
I was on the point of telling him to go to hell when I realised as part of my act, I’d better make out I was feeling pretty bad.
‘I think I will.’ I got to my feet. ‘If you really think you can manage.’
I could see by the surprised expression in his eyes, he hadn’t expected this. With Sydney still away and now me going, he certainly would have to pick up his feet.
But this was a challenge he gladly accepted. As I walked to the parking lot I wondered how Sydney was getting on with the design of the setting. I felt I had to tell him I was going to take it easy at home. I spoke to him from a call booth.
‘Sydney, I have a hell of a headache. Terry says he can manage so I’m going home.’
‘You poor thing! Do that.’ He began to buzz. ‘I’ll get down there right away... can’t possibly leave Terry in charge. I’ve got four lovely designs. You’ll be so pleased! You wouldn’t like to come around tonight?’
‘I’d rather not. I’ll take it easy for today if you don’t mind.’
‘You do that.’
I didn’t immediately return to my apartment. I went to my bank and got $3,000 in Traveller’s cheques. Then I went to my travel agent and inquired about planes to San Francisco. There was one leaving Friday morning at 05.00. I made a note and asked if reservations were necessary. My travel agent said the flight, at that time, would be half empty and I could walk on: no problem.
I returned to my apartment, sat down and really got down to planning the steal. I sent out for sandwiches at lunch time and by 15.00, I was satisfied I had taken care of all the details.
Sydney called at 16.00 to inquire how I felt. I said the headache had gone away, but I still felt a bit shaky.
He inquired anxiously if I thought I’d be all right for Thursday night and I said I would and I’d be at my desk tomorrow at the usual time.
At 20.00, I went around the corner to a little restaurant and had a light meal, then I returned to my apartment and tried to watch TV until 21.45. Taking the sling bag containing the Beade wig, the silver glasses, the red jacket with the black patched pockets, but leaving the toy gun, I went down to the garage and drove out to the Pyramid Motel. I had chosen this motel for the Morgans to stay at because it had separate cabins and was used by young people travelling through to Miami. If Rhea and Fel had bought the right clothes they would be just two in a crowd.
I parked the car outside the motel and walked in. I had no trouble in finding cabin 35. Each cabin carried a big illuminated sign, showing its number.
The night air was strident with the sound of transistors and squawking voices from TVs. There was no one to see me knock on the door of cabin 35, which opened immediately as if Fel had been waiting impatiently. I entered the room and Fel shut the door.
For a moment I didn’t recognise Rhea as she stood by the table, looking at me with her cold, green eyes. She had on a blood-red trouser suit with white collar and cuffs. Her red hair was piled to the top of her head instead of hanging to her shoulders, and it had been washed. The sight of her again sent a stab of lust through me and I knew she knew it by her sneering little smile. I turned to look at Fel. Even he had managed to make himself look respectable. He had had his hair cut and was wearing a brown sports jacket and a pair of bottle green slacks. A white polo collar sweater completed his outfit.
‘You two look fine,’ I said, putting the sling bag on the table. ‘Have you got another change of clothes?’
‘Yeah. We reckoned this gear would be easy to describe to the cops,’ Fell said, grinning. ‘We go hippy after the job.’
Well, at least they were using their heads, I thought.
I went around the table and sat down.
‘Since you’re both here, I take it the operation is on... right?’
‘We’re here to listen,’ Rhea said woodenly. ‘Tell us the whole operation, then we’ll make up our minds.’
I was expecting this and shrugged.
‘The operation is on tomorrow night.’
‘Tomorrow night?’ Fel’s voice shot up. ‘That’s rushing it, isn’t it?’
‘What does it matter if it’s tomorrow night or next week? I have it all organised. The sooner it is done, the faster we get the money.’
Fel looked over at Rhea.
‘Let him talk,’ she said and sat down, away from me and lit a cigarette.
‘Tomorrow night at exactly 10.30, you arrive at Wellington Court, Roosevelt Boulevard.’ I took from my wallet a sheet of folded paper and put it on the table. ‘I’ve written it all down for you with directions how to get there. Tomorrow morning, take a look at the place: just drive past so you’re sure of finding it. Time your run from here to Wellington Court so you will know when to leave here tomorrow night. At that time of night there will be vacant parking bays close by. Leave your car, walk casually to the front entrance. You will find the door unlocked. Go quickly up the stairs. Don’t use the elevator. The nightman will be in his office watching TV but the elevator just might cause interference on the screen, so use the stairs. When you reach the top floor, turn right and you will see Fremlin’s front door, No. 4. The door will be unlocked. Open it silently and go in. You will find yourselves in a small lobby, facing the door, leading into the sitting room. Listen outside the door. You will hear Fremlin and me talking. Then rush in. Come in really fast, guns in hand and yell at us to stay, still. You don’t have to worry about Fremlin. He’ll just sit there, goggling at you, terrified. Now, here is the trickiest part of the operation.’ I turned to look at Fel who was sitting with his elbows on his knees, his face in his hands, listening with intense concentration. ‘I have to act brave. This should shift any suspicion from me that I’m connected with the steal, and this is essential if I’m to sell the diamonds. I will jump to my feet and come at you. You will sideswipe me across the face with your gun.’