‘ “What’s going on?” Elliot was puzzled. “That’s the second time you think you were followed.” Then he remembered that the C.I.A. were interested in the stamps. Could the C.I.A. be following Joey? He decided he wouldn’t start a scare without more information so he said nothing. “You’re sure you lost them?”
‘ “I’m sure,” Joey said.
‘Elliot got to his feet.
‘ “Suppose we hide the key that’s an idea?”
‘Joey agreed.
‘They went together into the small shed that housed a few gardening tools and a battered power mowed. Elliot hid the key under a can of weed killer.
‘ “Now if anything happens we know where it is,” Elliot said.
‘Joey looked sharply at him.
‘ “What does that mean?”
‘Elliot grinned.
‘ “Probably nothing. Tell Cindy where it’s hidden.”
‘Later, Vin returned to the bungalow. Joey and Cindy had gone for a walk and Vin found Elliot on his own in the garden.
‘ “Give me a thousand bucks,” Vin said, “and I’ll get the buyer’s name tonight.”
‘Elliot studied him.
‘ “Okay... you are sure she will tell you?”
‘ “Yeah.”
‘ “She could be conning you.”
‘Vin moved impatiently.
‘ “We’ve gone over all that jazz. She shows me the letter her old man had from the buyer.”
‘ “And you will show it to me?”
‘ “Sure... if she’ll part with it.”
‘ “Look, Vin, no offence, but I don’t trust you. I have to be sure the name of the man you give me is the buyer. Get me his name and I’ll call him. If he says he’ll buy, I’ll give you the number of the drawer, but not before.”
‘Vin restrained his temper with an effort.
‘ “Get me the money and stop acting like a goddamn movie star.”
‘ “Just so long as you know,” Elliot said and went into the bungalow.
‘Vin stared after him, his eyes vicious.’
Orson was alerted by Nisson around 21.00 that Pinna in the Jaguar was heading his way. He immediately alerted the six men Lessing had stationed around Larrimore’s house: three of them in the garden, two in a parked car and one patrolling the road.
‘This could be it,’ he said. ‘Pinna’s on his way. Let him get into the house, then grab him as he comes out. Watch it! He could be armed!’
His mind totally occupied in how he was going to force Judy to tell him the name of the buyer, Vin completely forgot Elliot’s warning to watch out that he wasn’t being tailed. He was oblivious that Ross was driving ahead of him and Nisson behind him. When he reached Larrimore’s house, he pulled up, lit a cigarette and waited for Judy to show.
He would have to be careful not to arouse her suspicions, he told himself. He would take her to the Low-Life Club, give her dinner, then take her to the Blue Heaven motel. Once in the cabin, he would ask her for the buyer’s name, then if she didn’t come across, he would knock her cold, gag and bind her and see what a few lighted cigarettes applied to her legs would do to get her talking. When she had parted with the name, he would call this guy and ask him if he were interested in buying the stamps. If he was and agreed the price, then Judy would cease to exist.
Although tense, he managed a wide grin as Judy got into the car.
‘How about the Low-Life Club, baby?’ he asked, shifting into gear, ‘then we can go to the Blue Heaven. Okay with you?’
‘Fine.’ She regarded him. ‘How are your plans working out, Superman? Any nearer to the stamps?’
‘Yeah. Let’s talk about that at the motel,’ Vin said. ‘Pleasure before business, huh?’
‘You mean you’ve found out where he keeps them?’
‘I didn’t say that, but I’m getting nearer.’
‘You sound cagey.’
He grinned at her. ‘That makes two of us, doesn’t it?’
‘Is that girl who came to see my old man this morning hooked up with you?’
Vin stiffened and gaped, then realizing she was watching him and he had given himself away, he said, ‘That’s right. You saw her then?’
‘I saw her. What’s she to you?’
‘Me? She’s just a kid... nothing.’
‘She didn’t look such a kid to me. Why did the old bastard see her?’
‘Okay,’ Vin said. ‘We’ll go to the motel first. I’ll tell you and you tell me.’
‘What’s that mean?’
‘You’ll see.’
He turned off the highway on to a side road that led to the motel.
‘Have you become a dog lover, Superman?’ she asked suddenly.
Vin twisted his head to stare at her.
‘Dog lover?’ Then he stiffened as he saw she was holding the dog lead he had bought and which had been in his pocket. ‘Oh that...’ He felt sweat break out on his face.
‘Where’s the dog?’ she asked, staring at him.
‘I don’t take it around. I’ve left him in my flat.’
‘And little miss prissy looks after him?’
‘Nothing like that, baby. He’s an old dog. He likes being alone.’
‘What kind of dog?’
Vin had no idea what kind of dogs there were since he never bothered about dogs. He shrugged.
‘Oh, a dog... big, floppy... a dog.’
‘What’s his name?’
Vin drew in a slow breath of exasperation.
‘How the hell... its name? Joe.’
‘That’s a funny name for a dog.’
‘That’s what I call him... you interested in dogs?’
‘No.’ Again she looked steadily at him as she handled the lead. ‘I’m just curious why you should have a dog lead in your pocket.’
‘I was late... didn’t want to keep you waiting. I guess I forgot it was in my pocket.’ Vin slowed to drive through the archway leading into the motel.
‘When I saw this hanging out of your pocket, I got the idea you might be kinky and wanted to beat me with it.’
Vin pulled into a parking bay.
‘Would you like that?’
‘I’ve never tried it. Maybe.’
He took the lead from her and stuffed it into his pocket.
‘I don’t dig for that stuff.’ His voice was husky. ‘Still, if you want to try...’
She laughed.
‘I’ll survive without it. Check in, Superman. Let’s talk business. I’m hungry.’
By now the fat Negro in charge of the office had come to know Vin. He had never seen Judy as she always remained in the car while Vin checked in. Seeing Vin come into the office, the Negro glanced through the window, saw the Jaguar and then grinned at Vin.
‘Evening, sir.’ He pushed the register towards Vin. ‘Nice seeing you again. I’ve got your usual cabin free.’
‘Fine.’ Vin signed the register as Steve Hamish. ‘We won’t be long, Jerry. Just a couple of hours.’
‘You stay as long or as short as you like, Mr. Hamish.’
Vin gave him a five-dollar bill, then taking the key the Negro offered him, he returned to the Jaguar.
‘All set... the usual,’ he said, opening the car door.
They walked together to the cabin and as soon as they were inside, Vin shot the bolt.
Judy wandered over to the bed and sat on it.
‘So you sent the girl to find the stamps,’ she said. ‘Did she find them?’
Vin went to the refrigerator. He felt in need of a drink.
‘Scotch?’
‘Yes... did she find them?’
He poured the Scotch into two glasses, then turned.
‘You give and then I’ll give,’ he said and carried the drink over to her. ‘What’s the name of the buyer?’ He offered the glass and stood over her. ‘You tell me that and I’ll tell you if she found the stamps.’