Beauty And The Bounty
Page 8
“With Duke Ballard taking Van Gelder’s place?”
“Only as your employer.”
Her eyes narrowed for a moment and then she asked, “Do you have a piece of this place? Maybe you’re the one who would replace Van Gelder.”
“I’m not looked to replace anyone, Miss Tucker,” he said, “and I was offered a piece of this place, but turned it down.”
“Why?”
“It’s not my style.”
“What is your style?”
“It’s not San Francisco.”
“Then why are you here?”
“I’m…looking for someone.”
“Who?”
“A woman.”
She laughed.
“Plenty of those around here.”
“A particular woman.”
“A lot of them are particular—all right, I’m sorry. Maybe I can help. What’s her name?”
“I don’t know her name—but there is someone else I’d like to ask you about.”
“Who?”
“Have you met anyone named Julie Landan?”
“Landan? Not that I know of. She’s not the one you’re looking for?”
“No, her sister is looking for her—much the way Sally came looking for you, I guess.”
“And this woman you’re looking for—what do you want with her?”
“She’s got a price on her head.”
“Ah hah,” Annie said, as if she understood. “You’re a bounty hunter.”
“That’s right.”
“Hunting people down for money is your style.”
It was a harsh way of putting it, but he certainly couldn’t deny it.
“That’s right.”
“That sort of makes you just as much a whore as I am, doesn’t it?”
It was an observation made on her part, without rancor, and again he found that he couldn’t really disagree.
“I guess so.”
“Sorry I can’t help you.”
“That’s all right,” he said. “I’m used to doing things on my own.”
“I have to get back,” she said. She started for the door, then stopped. “That shooting the other night. What was that about?”
Decker shrugged and winced with pain.
“Just somebody’s son—or brother—out for revenge.”
“That must happen a lot, in your business.”
“More and more, lately.”
“Sounds like you’re the one who needs a career change.”
“I’ll consider it.”
“See you around,” she said, and left.
Tough lady, he thought, tough and beautiful. Too good for the likes of Van Gelder.
Decker turned away from the door and saw Sally Tucker enter the lobby from the dining room. She saw him and hurried over to him.
“Oh, Decker, I can’t thank you enough for this job. Everyone is so nice.”
“I’m glad you’re happy.”
“There’s only one thing that could make me happier.”
“What’s that?” he asked, although he thought he already knew.
“Getting Annie away from that terrible Mr. Van Gelder.”
“What makes you think he’s so terrible.”
“Do you know what he wanted me to do when I started working for him?”
“What?”
“He wanted me to have—to sleep with him.”
“He didn’t.”
“Yes, he did, and all the while he’s sleeping with my sister. That’s a terrible man, Decker.”
“It sure is.”
“And he has Annie working as a—a—”
“Prostitute.”
“Yes.”
“Seems to me she could leave if she wanted to.”
“He has some sort of hold over her,” Sally said, leaning forward and lowering her voice.
“Maybe she just likes living high,” Decker said. “Duke certainly couldn’t give her all the things Van Gelder does.”
“Annie has always liked spending money, but I don’t think that’s it. I think he has a hold over her. If only—”
“If only what?” he asked, feeling as if this innocent little girl was suckering him into something.
“If only someone could find out what it was.”
“Whoa!” he said. Everybody wanted to drag him into their problems, while he had plenty of problems of his own. “Sally—”
“Couldn’t you try, Decker?”
“Sally, I’m not a detective—”
“Duke says you’re very good at what you do.”
“Duke said—”
“And Annie said she thought you were a very dangerous man to be around.”
“That’s probably just because people like shooting at—”
“Decker,” Sally said, putting her hand on his arm, “I’d be ever so grateful.”
From another woman—Stella, or even her own sister, Annie—that statement would have meant something else, entirely. From Sally, it simply meant that she would be just that, grateful.
“Sally—” he said, looking into her wide, pleading, innocent eyes, “Sally—I’ll see what I can do.”
“Oh, Decker,” she said, squeezing his arm, “you’re not dangerous at all. You’re very nice.”
“Yeah, that’s me,” he said, “nice Decker.”
“I have to get back to work now. I’ll see you later.”
“All right.”
He watched her hurry back to the dining room, and spotted Duke coming from the direction of his office. He moved to intercept him.
“Was that Sally you were talking to?” Duke asked.
“Yes, and Annie before that, and Stella before that.”
“Popular man.”
“Everybody wants me to solve their problems—except Annie.”
“Hers are probably the most serious.”
Decker told Duke what Sally said about Van Gelder having a hold over Annie, and asked him for his opinion.
“I wouldn’t doubt it, Decker. That’s the way it works, here. You need somebody, you get something on them.”
“You mean like you and Tennant?” Duke grinned.
“Someday I’ll tell you what I have on him.”
“And how you got it.”
Duke grinned again.
“What about Van Gelder, Duke? What could he have on Annie that would make her stay there, whore for him and sleep with him?”
“Listen,” Duke said, “he may have something on her that makes her stay with him, but take my word for it, Annie Tucker is too good at what she does not to like it…a little.”
“Maybe…”
“What’s Stella want you to do?”
“Find her sister.”
“Ah…I didn’t even know she had one. What’s her story?”
“I’ll keep that one to myself for a while, Duke, if you don’t mind.”
“Personal, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“All right, I won’t try to drag it out of you. Listen, there’s someone coming over here who I want you to meet.”
“Who?”
“I’ll tell you when he gets here. Be in my office in an hour, okay?”
“Sure.”
Duke started away, then stopped and asked, “How’s your shoulder?”
“Fine.”
“Yeah, I can see that. You always move like you been dragged a hundred yards behind a horse.”
“Tell me something.”
“What?”
“How tight a hold do you have on Tennant.”
“Why?”
Decker shrugged.
“You never know when you’ll need a favor from a policeman.”
“I can probably get you a favor done—depending on what it is.”
“I’ll let you know.”
“Okay. Remember, one hour in my office.”
“I’ll be there.”
Decker decided to spend the hour in his room, resting. His shoulder felt pretty good, but there was no point in
pushing it. The time for pushing it would come soon enough, and he wanted to be in shape for it.
Chapter Twenty-three
Fifty-nine minutes later Decker knocked on the door of Duke’s office and entered. Duke was seated behind his desk, and another man was sitting in a straight backed chair in front of the desk.
“Decker, I want you to meet Johnny Bendix. Johnny, this is Decker.”
Bendix stood, and Decker saw a tall, powerfully built man in his twenties. He wore a well cared for Remington revolver on his hip.
“Decker,” Bendix said, inclining his head in greeting.
“Bendix.”
“I’ve heard of you,” Bendix said.
“Oh?”
“I’ve heard you’re good. I’m wondering why Duke needs me when he’s got you around.”
“Why don’t you ask Duke?”
Bendix turned halfway so that he could see Duke and still keep an eye on Decker. He was a cautious man.
“Decker’s a friend, Johnny,” Duke said. “You, you’re hired help.”
That was putting it bluntly, and Bendix seemed to accept that as an answer.
“In addition,” Duke said, “you’re not here to help me, you’re here to help Decker.”
“I see,” Bendix said. He looked at Decker and said, “You’re carrying some lead.”
“An ounce or so.”
“I guess a man in your line of work could use somebody to watch your back.”
“Not usually, but San Francisco’s a little crowded. Lots of places for back-shooters to jump in and out of.”
“You got that right,” Bendix said. He looked at Duke and said, “Whose payroll am I on?”
Before Decker could answer Duke said, “Mine. Usual arrangements.”
“Good enough.” Bendix looked at Decker again and said, “I’m all yours.”
“That thought makes me all warm inside. There’s something else you should know.”
“What?”
“We may be crossing paths with Van Gelder.”
“And Big Harry,” Duke added.
Bendix considered the information for a moment, then shrugged and said, “Let’s up the price a bit and I’m still yours.”
“Done,” Duke said.
“What about you?” Decker asked Duke.
“I’ve taken three more men on as extra security. Danny Peoples, Sam Mitchum and Carlos Caliente.”
Decker looked at Bendix who said, “Good men, all of them.”
“If Van Gelder wants to get in here to start something, he’s going to have to get by them.”
“Work for hire?” Decker asked.
“Sure.”
“What if Van Gelder offers to pay them more?” Decker asked.
“The same thing would happen if Van Gelder offered me more money,” Bendix said.
“What’s that?” Decker asked.
“They’d say no. Once they take on a job they work for the man who hired them, same as me.”
“Why’s that?”
“If word gets around that you can be bought off, you’re out of business.”
The logic made sense.
“All right then,” Decker said, “let’s go.”
“Where?”
“We might as well start at the top,” Decker said.
“Van Gelder?” Duke asked.
“Right.”
Bendix shook his head and said, “You ain’t gonna make this an easy job, are you?”
Chapter Twenty-four
With Johnny Bendix at his back Decker went over to the Alhambra and informed the clerk behind the desk that he wanted to see Van Gelder.
“Mister Van Gelder is busy right now, sir,” the prissy clerk said. All the desk clerks in San Francisco seemed prissy and sweet smelling.
“Well, tell him I’m here.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that, sir.”
“Listen—”
“Excuse me,” Bendix said to Decker. “Duke said you shouldn’t exert yourself.”
“Breaking this fella’s arm wouldn’t be any exertion at all, Johnny.”
“Still and all,” Johnny Bendix said, “I think I should break his arm.”
“If you’ll wait here,” the clerk said, hurriedly, “I’ll tell Mr. Van Gelder that you are here.” He came around the desk and virtually ran across the lobby.
“You and I are gonna work together real fine,” Johnny said, grinning.
“That all depends,” Decker said.
“On what?”
“Which arm were you going to break?”
They waited for the clerk to return, and when he did he had another man in tow.
“That’s Mark Sideman,” Bendix said, “Van Gelder’s right hand man.”
“I thought Big Harry was Van Gelder’s right hand man.”
“Big Harry,” Bendix said, “is Van Gelder’s fist.”
“Can I help you gentlemen?” Sideman asked as the clerk scurried back around behind the desk.
“I’d like to see Van Gelder.”
“Mister Van Gelder is busy, at the moment,” Sideman said. Van Gelder had his staff well trained.
“That’s what this prissy dude behind the desk said,” Decker said.
“Yes, and you proceeded to threaten him. Would you like to threaten me?”
“Of course not—”
“I would,” Bendix said, grinning wolfishly.
Sideman was Bendix’s height and age, but he was a lot slimmer, and didn’t seem to have the physical ability to stand up to Bendix. Still, he returned Bendix’s look and said, “No, you wouldn’t. You’re Bendix, aren’t you?”
“That’s right.”
“Seems to me you’ve done some work for us.”
“I’ve worked for Van Gelder on occasion,” Bendix said. “I’ve never worked for you, Sideman. You couldn’t afford me.”
“Are you working for this gentleman, now?”
“No,” Bendix said, and did not elaborate.
“Are you prepared to leave without seeing Mr. Van Gelder?” Sideman asked Decker.
“No.”
“I might be able to get him to see you…alone.”
“No,” Decker said, shaking his head. “It doesn’t work that way. He’ll see both of us.”
“And why will he?”
“Because you’ll ask him to, and he’ll say yes.”
Sideman stared at Decker, as if he were trying to decide something.
“Go on,” Decker said, “ask him.”
Sideman sighed and said, “Wait here.”
He turned and left and Bendix looked at the clerk, who tried to find something to occupy him.
“You’re pushing hard,” Bendix said.
“Van Gelder will respond to that.”
“I’ll bet you a beer he doesn’t see us.”
“You’re covered.”
Sideman returned approximately five minutes later and said, “Follow me, please.”
“Both of us?” Bendix asked.
“Both of you.”
“Well,” Bendix said, “I’ll be damned.”
Apparently, Van Gelder did his business in his two room suite, and when they entered behind Mark Sideman, he was either having a late lunch or an early dinner.
“Bendix!” Van Gelder said when he saw the other man.
“Van Gelder.”
Later, Decker would have to ask Bendix about his relationship with Van Gelder. Or better yet, ask Duke about it.
Van Gelder recovered from his obvious surprise at seeing Johnny Bendix and fixed his gaze on Decker.
“Mr. Decker. I trust you are recovering from your unfortunate mishap the other night.”
“I’m getting along.”
“What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to thank you for covering my medical bill.”
Van Gelder had picked up his fork and now he put it down again.
“Excuse me, but my information is that you used some strong-arm tactics and threats to get in to see me.
I’m sure it must have been about something more important than medical bills.”
“No,” Decker said. “That’s it. I like to say my thanks in person.”
Van Gelder frowned.
“You have no other business?”
“No,” Decker said, “that is, unless you have some with me.”
“No, no,” Van Gelder said, “nothing.”
The man was obviously puzzled, which is what Decker wanted to accomplish.
“We’ll be leaving, then,” Decker said.
“Mark, show these gentlemen out.”
“We can find our way,” Decker said, moving towards the door. “Thanks, anyway. Come on, Johnny.”
Decker went through the door with Bendix on his heels. Out in the hall Bendix said, “I don’t know about him, but you sure have got me confused.”
“Him, too, Johnny.”
“Is that all you wanted to do?”
“That’s all,” Decker said. “Just make him think a little.”
Bendix shook his head and followed Decker down to the lobby and out.
“I didn’t see Big Harry,” Decker said.
“Believe me, Decker, you don’t want to see Big Harry. Take my advice about him. If you see him, shoot first and ask questions later.”
After they had left Portsmouth Square Decker said, “You want to tell me about you and Van Gelder?”
“What’s to tell. I’ve done some work for him.”
“I wish you had told me that before.”
“Duke knew,” Bendix said. “Hell, Decker, I’ve worked for half the hotel owners in this town, and will probably work for the other half before I’m through. I’m good at what I do and they all know it.”
“Van Gelder seemed more than a little surprised.”
“I admit that Van Gelder tends to think in more permanent terms than most of the others.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning I’ve done enough work for him from time to time that he obviously thinks he owns me.”
“And he doesn’t?”
“Nobody does,” Bendix said, his tone cold. “I do a job for money, same as you.”
“All right,” Decker said.
“All right,” Bendix echoed. “What’s next?”
“Later tonight we’ll visit some of the other hotels. I’m looking for someone.”
“Who?”
“A woman.”
“What’s her name?”
“I don’t know.”
“What’s she look like?”
“I’m not sure.”