1973 - Have a Change of Scene

by James Hadley Chase

  ‘Yes. Fremlin was scared to have the real necklace in his apartment. He asked me to house it in my safe. Unless the thieves have been to my apartment, then the necklace is still in my safe.’

  ‘Could I check, Mr. Carr? My boss is having one coronary after the other and I’d like to put him out of his misery.’

  ‘Go ahead. You’ll find my apartment key in my jacket pocket.’ I gave him the address. ‘The combination of the safe is X-11-0-4. Go ahead,’ and I closed my eyes.

  ‘You take it easy, Mr. Carr. Don’t worry about a thing,’ and he was gone.

  I drew in a long deep breath. Surely, I thought, this has got me off the hook. But there was this risk: if the police caught up with Rhea and Fel, they would talk, then this slick inspiration of mine would come unstuck at the seams.

  EIGHT

  Sergeant Fred Hess, in charge of the Homicide squad, was a short, fat man with bushy eyebrows, cold eyes and a quizzing, alert manner.

  An hour after Harmas had gone, Hess, followed by Lepski, entered my room and converged on me.

  ‘Mr. Carr, I’m Hess: City Police, Homicide,’ he said in a voice that sounded like a fall of gravel. ‘Dr. Summers says you aren’t fit enough to make a full statement, but I’m hoping you feel like answering a few questions.’

  ‘I’m all right,’ I said. ‘Dr. Summers means well, but he fusses.’

  This went down well with Hess who gave a little grin, pulled up a chair and sat by my bedside. Lepski went over to the window, sat down and took out a notebook.

  I had had plenty of time to go over my story and I was ready and fairly confident.

  ‘Okay, Mr. Carr, suppose you tell me about this necklace. Harmas tells me the killers stole an imitation. Is that right?’

  ‘If the necklace is missing, then they stole the imitation.’

  ‘Would they know it was a fake?’

  ‘No, it would fool anyone but a top expert. But to get this straight, Sergeant, suppose I give you the story right from the start.’

  He squinted at me, then nodded.

  ‘That would be fine.’

  So I told him how Mrs. Plessington had wanted a necklace, how I had a glass replica made so she would be able to make up her mind if the design was what she wanted. I explained after the sale, Sydney had wanted to sell the imitation but that, since it had been my biggest sale, I had decided to keep it as a souvenir. I said Sydney went along with this (My first lie.) and that I had paid him three thousand dollars for the necklace. Then I went on to tell Hess about Mrs. P.’s gambling urge and how, in panic to cover her losses, she had asked Sydney to sell the necklace. I explained why the deal had to be in secret and how Sydney and I got the idea of converting the necklace into a collar. I went on to explain that Sydney had decided to prevent any leak, to work on the collar in his apartment.

  ‘But Sydney was scared to have the necklace in his apartment and I suggested we used the imitation to work with,’ I went on. ‘Then he asked me to spread the risk by keeping the original necklace in my safe.’

  ‘Just a moment, Mr. Carr,’ Hess broke in. So far, he had sat still, his face expressionless, listening. ‘I’d like to get this clear. We’ve examined both your safe and Mr. Fremlin’s safe. Fremlin’s safe is a better one than yours. His safe is wired to police headquarters: yours isn’t. How come Fremlin thought it safer for you to keep the necklace?’

  This was a question I expected him to ask and I had the answer ready.

  ‘Sydney was nervous,’ I said. ‘He thought it unlikely any thief would suspect I had anything worthwhile in my safe whereas he felt he could be the focus for thieves.’

  ‘Yeah.’ Hess scratched his nose. ‘Nervous, huh? You mean he was nervous someone would break in?’

  ‘He had paid for this necklace out of his own money. Although he had insured it, he wanted to divide the risks.’

  ‘That’s not the question, Mr. Carr. He was nervous?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Then how come he never locked his front door?’

  ‘He was always forgetting his keys. His manservant will tell you the same. He felt secure, leaving his front door unlocked because he knew the entrance door downstairs was always kept locked.’

  ‘Yet it wasn’t locked on the night of the robbery. How come?’

  ‘I wouldn’t know. When I arrived just after 10 o’clock, the door was locked. I had to buzz for Lawson, the doorman, to let me in. Claude, Mr. Fremlin’s manservant, was leaving and he and I had a brief talk, but Lawson returned to his office. Maybe he forgot to lock up after Claude had gone.’

  ‘Lawson said he didn’t lift the catch on the lock so when the door shut after Claude, it would lock automatically,’ Hess said.

  ‘It didn’t, did it? Otherwise these two wouldn’t have got in, would they?’

  ‘Yeah.’ Hess stared down at his fat, brown hands, his forehead in wrinkles. ‘Lawson heard the shot and came out of his office as the killers came out of the elevator. They both had guns in their hands.

  Lawson is no hero. He stepped back out of sight, but he’s given us a description of them.’ He paused, then went on, ‘When a man’s scared, he’s likely to be an unreliable witness. I’d like you to give me a description of these two as you saw them, Mr. Carr.’

  ‘Don’t imagine I wasn’t scared,’ I said. ‘It happened so suddenly. The door burst open and these two rushed in, yelling at us. I was going to the bathroom for an Aspro and walked right into them. The man hit me across the face and I went down.’ I went on to describe how Sydney had gone for the man and how the woman had shot him, then as I was crawling towards Sydney, she had hit me.

  ‘So it was the woman? She shot Fremlin and knocked you out?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘The man was wounded?’

  ‘Sydney cut his arm with the dagger.’

  ‘Yeah. We have this blood group from the dagger,’ Hess said. He spoke casually but his words sent a sudden chill through me. A blood group! One small step towards pinning the murder on Fel if he was ever caught.

  ‘Let’s take the man first, Mr. Carr,’ Hess went on. ‘Will you give me a description of him as you saw him?’

  ‘He was heavily built,’ I said, ‘about your height. (My second lie.) He had on a Beade wig, big silver lensed goggles and a red jacket with black patch pockets.’ I put my hand wearily to my head. ‘That’s the best I can do.’

  ‘Heavily built and about five foot eight?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Hess rubbed the tip of his nose.

  ‘Lawson says he was tall: around six foot and thin.’

  Confusion was my main hope.

  ‘That wasn’t my impression.’

  ‘Yeah.’ Hess sighed. ‘In a setup like this no witness ever seems to agree.’ He shrugged. ‘But the wig, goggles and jacket match. Now about the woman.’

  ‘I didn’t register her much except she had on big silver goggles which blotted out her face. I think she was big and powerfully built for a woman. She gave me the impression of being around forty-five: a mature woman. She had on red trousers and her hair hidden by a black scarf.’

  The door opened and Dr. Summers came in.

  ‘I think, Sergeant, that must be all for today,’ he said firmly. ‘I said twenty minutes.’

  ‘Sure.’ Hess got to his feet. ‘Well, thanks, Mr. Carr. You take it easy. Thanks for your help. I’ll be seeing you again.’

  He and Lepski left the room.

  Doctor Summers took my pulse, told me I should now have a nap and that my lunch would be coming in about an hour. When he had gone, I lay still and thought over what I had told Hess. It seemed to be going well except for the blood group. But there was nothing I could do about that. I knew my safety depended on whether Rhea and Fel were caught. But providing Rhea didn’t try to sell the necklace, I couldn’t see how they could be caught.

  After lunch and after a nap, the nurse came in and told me Miss Baxter was asking to see me.

  ‘Do you feel like another v
isitor, Mr. Carr,’ she asked with a knowing smile.

  I said I did.

  Jenny came in with a bunch of red roses and a basket of hothouse grapes. She stood at the foot of my bed and regarded me and there was a light in her eyes that really did things for me.

  Her hair was neat and tidy. She had on a navy blue coat and shirt with a frilled white blouse and she looked marvellous to me.

  ‘How do you feel, Larry?’

  I grinned at her.

  ‘We’ve changed places - roses and grapes too. How’s your ankle?’

  ‘Coming along.’ She moved awkwardly to the chair by my bedside and sat down. ‘Tell me how do you feel?’

  ‘I’m okay now you’re here.’ I held out my hand and she took it. ‘Jenny this is marvellous. Thank you for coming. Where are you staying?’

  ‘Oh a little hotel. When I read about it in the paper, I just had to come.’

  ‘This is a hell of a thing,’ I said. ‘Sydney was my friend. I still can’t believe he is dead.’

  ‘You must try not to think about it. It doesn’t do any good. The thing for you to do is to get well.’

  ‘That’s right. You remember when I called you the evening when it happened? I thought I was saying goodbye to you. Odd how things work out, isn’t it?’

  She nodded.

  ‘The doctor said I mustn’t tire you. I’m not going to stay any longer,’ and she got to her feet.

  ‘Hey! Wait a minute! You’ve only just arrived.’

  ‘I wanted to see you. Is there anything I can bring you tomorrow?’

  ‘Sit down, for God’s sake! I want to talk to you. How long can you stay in Paradise City?’

  ‘Two or three days.’

  ‘Don’t tell me with that ankle of yours you can start work yet, Jenny.’

  ‘No I can’t, but. . .’ She smiled. ‘I can’t afford to stay here. This must be the most expensive city in the world.’

  ‘Yes, it certainly is.’ I paused and looked at her. ‘I don’t know how long I’ll have to stay here. It could be several weeks. Would you do me a favour?’

  ‘Of course, Larry.’

  ‘Check out of that hotel and move into my apartment.’

  Her eyes opened wide.

  ‘I couldn’t do that!’

  ‘This is a business proposition. I must have someone there to answer the telephone, look after my mail, keep the place in order. I have a coloured woman who comes in twice a week and if she isn’t supervised she’ll do nothing. There’s a spare bedroom you can have and I pay a willing housekeeper a hundred dollars a week - all found. That’s the favour, Jenny. Please.’

  She hesitated, then as she began to shake her head, I went on, ‘The favour also includes coming to see me every day so I won’t feel neglected and lonely.’

  She smiled.

  ‘All right, Larry, but I’m not going to be paid. I have some money of my own. Honest. I won’t do it otherwise.’

  My blonde nurse came in.

  ‘It’s time for Mr. Carr’s nap, Miss Baxter,’ she said, smiling at Jenny.

  ‘Nurse, would you give Miss Baxter the key of my apartment, please?’ I said. ‘Mr. Harmas had it. I expect he has returned it by now.’

  ‘Yes, he has.’ The nurse looked at Jenny and then at me and gave me a sly little grin. ‘Come with me, Miss Baxter.’

  Jenny patted my hand.

  ‘I’ll be in tomorrow afternoon,’ and she followed the nurse out of the room.

  * * *

  The following morning, soon after Dr. Summers had been in to see me, I had an unexpected visitor. I was feeling depressed because Summers had said I would have to stay in hospital for at least another two weeks. Even when I returned home I would have to be careful not to exert myself.

  My unexpected visitor was Tom Luce. He came into my room looking more like a bulldog than ever, wearing a dark, immaculate suit, his balding head glistening with sweat beads.

  I had seldom had much to do with him as I had always worked with Sydney, but I knew him to be tough, loyal and a financial wizard.

  ‘Well, Larry,’ he said, sitting down by my side. ‘I’m sorry to find you in this state. What a terrible thing! Poor Sydney! His funeral was yesterday. A wonderful turnout everyone who is anyone was there. I had a wreath in your name put in the best place. You have never seen so many flowers.’

  Inwardly, I winced and was thankful I hadn’t been there.

  ‘Thanks, Tom. It’s a hell of a thing. I still can’t believe he’s gone.’

  ‘No.’ Luce shook his head. ‘I’ve been talking to Dr. Summers. From what he tells me, Larry, you’ll be out of action for three or four months. Can you suggest anyone we can get to take your place until you can get back?’

  I had been thinking of this problem.

  ‘You’ll need a designer and an assistant to work with Terry. I know Hans Kloch wants a change. He’s a good designer: not quite in Sydney’s class, but good enough. Why not write to him? He’s with Werner of Antwerp. Then there’s Pierre Martin. He’s with Carders, Los Angeles. I think he would jump at the chance.’

  Luce made notes on the back of an envelope.

  ‘I’ll get on to them right away. Terry and Miss Barlow are really stretched.’ Again he paused, then said, ‘You should know right away, Larry, that you are now the senior partner.’

  ‘Senior partner?’ I stared at him. ‘You mean you are offering me a partnership, Tom?’

  ‘Of course I would have offered you a partnership, but Sydney has willed you all his holdings, so that makes you senior partner without my say-so. I am most happy about this, Larry. I wouldn’t want a better man to work with.’

  I felt a rush of cold blood up my spine.

  ‘Tom! What are you saying? I don’t understand.’

  ‘I’ve read his will. There are a few bequests, but the bulk of his estate which is considerable goes to you.’

  ‘To me?’ My voice shot up.

  ‘Yes. I’ve brought along a copy of the will and a list of his assets. As you probably know I handle all his affairs. Sydney was very fond of you, Larry. As he says in his will you will make a worthy successor and I agree with that.’

  I couldn’t help it. I was still weak and I had little or no control over myself. I began to weep, hiding my face in my hands while violent sobs shook me. How I hated myself! I had been directly responsible for Sydney’s death! If I hadn’t planned to rob him of the necklace, he would be alive today. And in return for my treachery, he had left me the bulk of his estate.

  The nurse came in, took one look at me, waved Luce out of the room and called Dr. Summers.

  The next thing I knew was feeling a prick in my arm and I drifted off into blessed oblivion.

  * * *

  I was under sedation for the rest of the day. When Dr. Summers came to see me the following morning, he said I was not to have any visitors for the next three days. This emotional upset of mine must not be repeated.

  In a way I was glad, although I was going to miss Jenny’s visits, but it did give me time to think about my future.

  I read Sydney’s will. He had left his fine collection of Wedgwood and Spode to Luce. Claude received a hundred thousand dollars. His secretary and Miss Barlow had ten thousand each. Terry had Sydney’s personal jewellery. The rest of his estate came to me.

  Luce had listed Sydney’s assets. His stock holdings were worth a million and a half. There was the penthouse and a number of valuable paintings, including the Picasso. There was his Rolls Corniche and the contents of the penthouse and I knew that included Mrs. P.’s necklace.

  I read through the list and I was dazzled, then I told myself I couldn’t possibly accept all this. I could never live with myself if I did. I thought like that for several hours, then it occurred to me it would not only be difficult but also dangerous to refuse. After more thought I began to persuade myself that I wasn’t responsible for Sydney’s death. Hadn’t I told Fel not to load the guns? How was I to know that Rhea was so vicious she w
ouldn’t hesitate to kill? How could I possibly know? Hadn’t I suffered also? It was pure chance that I too hadn’t been killed. I was sure Rhea had meant to kill me. Hadn’t I warned Fel not to hit me over the head and hadn’t she been there when I had warned him?

  At the end of two days of constant thought, I began to realize what Sydney’s money and possessions would mean to me. I would be a rich man. I would be senior partner of the best and oldest established jewellers in the city. If I wanted to I could move into his penthouse. Why not? I would make a few changes, but it was one of the finest penthouses in the city and I had often wished it were mine.

  I would even ask Claude if he would continue to run the place. I had no idea what Sydney paid him, but if he could afford Claude, then with his money, so could I.

  Then my thinking shifted to Jenny. Did I want to marry her? Did she want to marry me? We had known each other for only a short time but I had this thing for her and surely she wouldn’t have come to Paradise City to be with me if she, in her turn, hadn’t a thing for me.

  The doctor had told me that as soon as I left hospital I should go on a long cruise. This seemed to be the solution. I would ask Jenny to come with me and we would be able to get to know each other during the two months on the ship. This idea excited me. When Dr. Summers came around in the evening, he said I was making excellent progress.

  ‘Could I see Miss Baxter tomorrow?’ I asked.

  ‘Of course. I’ll get nurse to telephone her.’

  When the nurse brought my supper, I asked her to let me have the newspapers. I felt it was time to know what was being said about Sydney, the murder and myself.

  After a little delay - I guessed she was consulting Dr. Summers - she turned up with copies of The Paradise Herald for the past five days.

  ‘We haven’t bothered you with your mail, Mr. Carr,’ she told me, ‘but there are two sacks of letters from well-wishers. Miss Baxter is checking them at your apartment.’

  I said that was fine with me and settled down to read the papers.

  The report of what happened at Sydney’s apartment on that fatal night stated that while Sydney and I were working on designs for a diamond collar, a man and a woman had burst into the apartment, guns in hand. The reporter said that I had tried to close with them, but received a stunning blow across my face, knocking me half unconscious and that Sydney, attacking the man with a paper knife, had been shot to death by the woman.