I looked at my watch. It was five after twelve.
“Where’s Kim?” I motioned for him to keep his voice down.
“She… did what you told her to. She’s still there.”
This time I had to take the chance that they were too busy to monitor my phone. I dialed Lisa’s room, heard it ring twice before it was picked up and a listless voice answered with a hello. I said, “Morg, kitten. Come on home,” then hung up.
I looked at my watch again and the hands seemed to be double-timing around the dial. Somehow, Kim had made her own way to Lisa’s room unobserved and somehow she’d make it back. However she pulled the guard off balance was her own affair, but I couldn’t afford the waste of even a minute.
Once more I had to hope Lady Luck was riding my horse. I picked up the phone and dialed Room 203. After it rang a half-dozen times a pleasant voice answered with “Si?”
“Luis Rondo?” I asked in English.
“Yes,” he answered, “this is he.”
“My name is Winters, Mr. Rondo. Your services have been recommended to me by a friend.”
“Ah, yes,” he said noncommittally.
“I want to indulge myself in a hobby,” I told him. “That of flying.”
For a moment there was silence and I knew he was weighing the situation and balancing it out. “Since you are in the import business I was wondering if you could order me a plane.”
“Yes, that is possible. Have you anything specific in mind?”
“Oh, something fast. One that could hold five or six people.”
“I see.”
“How quickly could it be delivered?”
“That depends on how quickly you want it.”
I laughed, faking a joke. “Like right away. Once I want something I get impatient until it’s in my hands.”
He played the game with me. “Of course, I understand. With such a customer I wish I could deliver it before the sun rose. However…”
“Do the best you can, okay?”
“By all means, sir. In fact, I have a party in Miami with a Queenaire for sale. At the earliest opportunity I will contact him for you, Mr. Winters. I appreciate your call. Will I be able to reach you at your room?”
“I’ll be here.”
“Well, I will do what I can.”
I hung up and went to the window overlooking the street. Most of the windows on street level were boarded over and only stray lines of light seeped out onto the side-walks. The clusters of people below were still milling about, not certain where to go. Since the danger wasn’t immediate yet there was a mock carnival atmosphere about the scene. The breeze had turned cool finally, a welcome relief, and they were enjoying it while they could, the sounds of guitar music and singing coming up through the happy confusion.
Joey sidled up next to me, his face drawn. “What do we do now?”
“Wait,” I told him, then grabbed the phone again and asked for Angelo. When he came on I told him to bring me a pot of coffee with a couple of sandwiches.
Ten minutes later I let him in and while he was unloading his tray said, “I need two kilo-size cardboard containers filled with confectioners’ sugar. Wrap them in plastic and seal them with tape. Can do?”
Angelo nodded. “Yes, we have such in the kitchen.”
“Outside in the lot is a new Volvo. There’s a dent in the front-right fender so you can’t miss it. Stick them under the front seat.”
He frowned, but didn’t question my motives.
“Did you get through to Jose?”
“Sí. He was reached by radio. Your boat is still waiting, but there is little time remaining.”
“Stay in touch with him. I’ll call you when I can to see how we’re going to handle this.”
“Please be careful, señor.”
I let him out, closed the door and glanced at my watch again. It was twelve twenty. Overhead I heard the throb of heavy engines that grew into a roar as the plane passed almost directly over the hotel before turning to the northwest. I said, “Luck, Lisa,” and made myself a drink, then sat down to wait some more.
11
Kim got back at twelve thirty, using her key and slipping through the door to close it silently behind her. She gave me the okay sign with thumb and forefinger, listened to see if there was anyone behind her in the hall, then with a sigh of relief went over and made herself a quick drink.
“Give it to me,” I told her.
“She got off the way you planned it. Russo Sabin called just before I left the room, so he doesn’t know about it yet.” She smiled at me like a conspirator. “But he will soon.”
“Why?”
“He’s been calling every fifteen minutes to check on her.
“Now the stuff really hits the fan,” I said. “He’ll turn this hotel inside out. There aren’t any more flights out so he’ll think she’s in the area and will spread his men out to find her.
“Morgan…”
“What?”
“Supposing he holds you on suspicion?”
Before I could answer her the phone rang. I picked it up and said, “Hello.” The voice on the other end was Luis Rondo and he said in a businesslike manner, “Mr. Winters, I believe I can fill your order according to your specifications.”
“Confirmed?”
“Yes, quite. Delivery will be made at the time you suggested, north end. The owner wishes to make a quick turnover, so there won’t be much time to bargain.”
“I understand. Thanks for your attention.”
“Certainly, señor.”
When I put the phone back Kim asked softly, “Who was that?”
My voice was almost drowned out in the blaring of the radio. “Rondo. He made a contact with Miami. Your agency’s sending a plane out to pick us up at the north end of the airfield at dawn.” I glanced at my watch. “Now we can move.” Over her shoulder I saw Joey Jolley, out of earshot, making himself another drink. “Whitey Tass came in on that last plane out of Miami. Don’t let Joey know about it or he’s liable to panic. You’re to stay with him all the way. Just keep Joey out of sight until I get back.”
Those big dark eyes roamed my face before they dug into my own. “And if you don’t?”
“You two get on that plane and cut out. It means I won’t be coming back.”
“My orders…”
“Screw your orders, doll. I’m making command decisions at this point. I’ll tell you this much: I can get into the Rose Castle and I may be able to get out. If I don’t it’s because I’m dead. But if I go you won’t have to worry about Victor Sable anymore because he’ll take the big fall with me.”
“You’ll kill him?”
“I won’t have to. They’ll do it for me. They couldn’t afford to have either of us alive after this. At least we know he’s alive at this point so that much of the mission is accomplished. Either way your report will be positive.”
Her hand touched my arm and something changed in her voice. “Morgan… what are the chances?”
I looked down into the depths of her eyes. Seriously, I said, “You either survive or you don’t, sugar. At least I’m a positive thinker. Let’s leave it at that.”
“You will be… careful?”
“Since when do you care?”
She stiffened as if I had slapped her, the cold professional attitude wiping out any trace of feminine concern, and that was the way I wanted it. It was a cold, nasty business and you had to keep it that way to keep alive.
All she said was, “I care about the success of the project.”
“Then make sure somebody turns in the report.”
“I will.”
“Good. Now get into your traveling clothes and don’t carry anything more than you can put in your handbag. The guard outside is stationed at the end of the corridor. I’m going to fake him out long enough for you two to get down the stairs to the lobby. There ought to be enough of a crowd to cover you if you play it right. Stay casual and play it straight. There’s a Volvo in the parking lot about halfway down from the entrance. Make sure nobody sees you; get in and stay in the back seat below window level. When I’m clear I’ll get you out to the airfield.” I looked over to make sure Joey couldn’t see me and said, “Don’t let Whitey Tass spot him.”