“Oh, yes,” she said. “I think he could do very well.”
Without taking his eyes off Girland, the fat man bent to pick up a portable tape recorder that had been concealed behind a chair.
“Mr. Girland,” he said, “I have a perfect recording of your talk with my daughter. You were threatening to blackmail her. I am now in the happy position to be able to blackmail you. This small reel of tape would interest Mr. Dorey. I doubt very much if it would please him. I am under the impression that if he should ever listen to your recorded remarks, he would make life extremely unpleasant for you.”
Girland laughed. His amusement was so genuine that the fat man joined in while Carlota regarded them with an impatient frown.
“When you have finished amusing yourselves,” she said tartly, “suppose we get down to business?”
Girland ignored her.
“Your trick,” he said to the fat man. “Your name’s Olsen? Right?”
“Erich Olsen.”
Girland took a packet of cigarettes from his pocket.
“This fascinates me. Suppose you fill me in?”
“You do agree that the tape could embarrass you?”
“Of course. It wouldn’t do you any good either, but let’s skip that. Tell me what’s cooking.”
“My daughters and I,” Olsen said, “are like you, Mr. Girland. We are opportunists. We have been on the lookout for a big killing. We have been extremely patient and now we are in sight of our goal.
“Erica, who is a year older than Carlota, had a position as a badly paid secretary. She went with her boss on a trade mission to Pekin. There she met Feng Hoh Kung. Now, Erica is extremely attractive. Kung made a proposal and Erica accepted. This was quite a blow to Carlota and myself. We felt our little trio had broken up. However, Erica hadn’t forgotten us. After some months, she decided the life she had chosen wasn’t for her. She also discovered it was going to be very difficult for her to leave Pekin. However, she was fortunate enough to meet a Chinese youth who was to prove helpful. It was he who got her out of China. At this time, Carlota was in Stockholm.” Olsen flashed his white dentures at Girland, “I was in Paris. There was a little misunderstanding with the Swedish police, and it was wiser for me to live in Paris.” He shrugged. “You know how these things can happen. Carlota received a cable from her sister, asking her to come at once to Hong Kong. There was a hint in the cable that it would be worth Carlota’s time and trouble if she did so. She consulted me and I advised her to go. Erica had found Kung a disagreeable old gentleman and to compensate her for the various experiences she had been subjected to, she took with her when she left, the famous Black Grape pearl.” Again the white dentures flashed. “She was quickly missed and Kung’s agents were alerted in Hong Kong. Erica found herself in a trap and she was forced into hiding. She and Carlota conceived the idea that Carlota should impersonate Erica and draw off the hunt. It was a very brave thing to do. Erica’s Chinese boyfriend found a tattooist who copied the well-known Kung’s initials on Carlota and she returned to Paris. Erica had given her a Chinese drug that temporarily blots out the memory. We needed publicity and we wanted Kung to believe that Erica had reached Paris. Carlota took the drug. This was necessary as we knew that under examination — if she hadn’t taken the drug — she would be found to be faking and that, of course, would have led to complications. By the oddest chance, this unfortunate nurse was shot instead of Carlota. Fortunately for us, you had the idea of telling the press that it was Erica who had died. Now the pressure is off, but there are still a number of difficulties. We need your help, Mr. Girland. Would you have any objection to going to Hong Kong and bringing back the pearl?”
Girland stared at him.
“Why don’t you go?”
Olsen smiled.
“I am in a slightly unfortunate position. I am safe enough living in France, but in British territory, I could be embarrassed. It wouldn’t be wise for me to leave the country at the moment.”
“Let’s get this straight. You want me to go to Hong Kong, collect the pearl, bring it back here and fix the deal with Yew at three million dollars? Is that right?”
“You will also bring Erica with you. She wouldn’t part with the pearl to a stranger, Mr. Girland.”
“Why doesn’t she just come? Now the pressure’s off, she could come, couldn’t she?”
“Well, no. It hasn’t been possible to get her a false passport It is believed that at least two of the men at the police control are in Kung’s pay. I had hoped with your connections that you might get her a false passport.”
“Is she like you in appearance?” Girland asked Carlota.
“Yes, very much like me.”
“Dorey gave me a passport and also a marriage certificate in cage you needed convincing that I was your husband. I still have both documents. I see no reason why Erica couldn’t travel on this passport.”
Olsen beamed.
“You see, Mr. Girland, how wise we were asking for your help.”
“This will cost money,” Girland said after a moment of thought. “Have you got any?”
Olsen shook his head.
“Money is something I seldom have, but it did occur to me that your friend Mr. Yew might be persuaded to finance the trip to Hong Kong.”
Girland laughed.
“You certainly are an opportunist. Yes, I should think if he were definitely promised the pearl, he would advance the necessary cash. I’ll talk to him.”
“Then there’s Carlota,” Olsen said. “I imagine the French police won’t let her out of France until they are convinced that she has had nothing to do with Kung. Carlota should return to Stockholm. There are rather pressing affairs for her to attend to. Can you help her to leave quickly, Mr. Girland?”
“Shouldn’t be difficult.” Girland turned to Carlota. “You will have to see Dorey. He may keep you a few days asking all kinds of questions, but if we have our story set up, you should be free to travel by the end of the week.”
“Well, then...” Olsen pushed himself away from the wall. “We seem to have had a very useful meeting, Mr. Girland. The sooner we get Erica back the better. What will your first move be?”
“I’ll see Yew and raise some money. Tomorrow morning, Carlota and I will fly to Paris. I will talk to Dorey, leave her with him and get off to Hong Kong. Where do I find Erica?”
“Carlota will give you the address.”
Girland turned on his charm.
“Now we are partners, Olsen, let me have the tape.” He got to his feet, but paused as Olsen lifted the gun and pointed it at him. With a flash of his dentures, Olsen said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Girland, but I am keeping the tape as insurance. You are far too great an opportunist for me to trust you entirely. Although it would be difficult for you to get the pearl away from Erica, it would not be impossible, and from what I have seen of you, you can achieve the impossible. So long as I keep the tape, then I feel fairly certain of getting my money. If by any chance you attempt a double-cross, I will not only send the tape to Dorey, but I will send a copy to the Press Association. I will make absolutely sure no one will benefit from the pearl except the Olsen family.”
Girland grinned.
“It was worth a try,” he said. He looked at Carlota who was watching him. “Your father deserves to prosper, doesn’t he?”
“He hasn’t up to now,” Carlota said. “But he keeps trying.”
“Excuse me for not shaking hands, Mr. Girland,” Olsen said, waving the gun apologetically. “I will be expecting a telephone call from you. Carlota will give you the number.”