What`s Better Than Money

by James Hadley Chase

  Remember what we said? In that case was a portable recorder. I have an excellent tape of our conversation. When I left you I took the recorder and the tape to my bank and I’ve asked them to take care of it. When that tape is played back in court, sergeant, you’ll join me in prison. You’ll lose your pension and you’ll get a fifteen year sentence. Where you went wrong in trying to blackmail me was that you had everything to lose. Rima Marshall hadn’t a thing to lose so she got away with it, but a successful blackmailer can’t afford to be vulnerable, and you are.’

  There was sweat on his face as he snarled, ‘You’re lying! There wasn’t a recorder in that briefcase!

  You don’t bluff me!’

  I stood up.

  ‘You could be right, but you can’t prove it,’ I said. ‘Go ahead and have me arrested and then see what happens. Throw your pension away and get yourself a fifteen year stretch. Why should I care? That’s up to you. If you think I’m bluffing, call my bluff. If I’m arrested, it’s my bet you’ll be arrested in a day or so after I’m in a cell. My bank has my authority to hand my tape to the Los Angeles District Attorney together with a statement made by me that covers your attempt to blackmail me if I am arrested. I’m calling your bluff, you cheap crook! Now go ahead and call mine!’

  I walked out of the bar and across the courtyard to my car.

  The sun was shining. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

  Driving fast, I headed back to Holland City, back to Sarita and the bridge.

  THE END