Not My Thing

by James Hadley Chase

  Would Sherman pay the ransom?

  For a long time now, she had had this feeling that her husband wanted to get rid of her. If she died, he would be free to marry this woman she knew existed. No! she told herself. Sherman couldn’t be so ruthless as that! He would pay the ransom. Very soon the press would know she had been kidnapped. There would be a tremendous outcry. Surely, Sherman wouldn’t dare not pay the ransom!

  Ng came in, carrying a tray.

  ‘If you would like something to eat, ma’am, I can easily prepare you something.’

  ‘Thank you. Just coffee.’ She forced herself to smile at him and waited while he poured the coffee and gave her a cup.

  ‘Thank you.’ She sipped the coffee, then regarded him. ‘You make excellent coffee, Kim.’

  Ng was overwhelmed. How he loved this beautiful, gracious woman!

  ‘Thank you, ma’am.’ He hesitated, then went on, ‘I am afraid you will have to stay here for a few days. Is there anything I can get you? Please ask.’

  Shannon finished her coffee while her mind raced. She must know more details of this kidnapping.

  ‘Does my husband know I have been kidnapped?’ she asked as Ng refilled her cup.

  ‘Oh, yes, ma’am. He knows.’

  ‘That tall thin man who talked to me before I blacked out,’ Shannon said. ‘He is the kidnapper… not you?’

  Ng hesitated.

  ‘That’s right, ma’am.’

  ‘And you do what he tells you?’

  Again Ng hesitated. He was becoming uneasy at these questions, but he wanted her to regard him as her friend.

  ‘Yes, ma’am,’ he said finally. ‘I’m sorry, but there is nothing more I can tell you. Is there something I can get for you? The refrigerator has lots of food, but there may be something else you need.’

  ‘I’m to stay here for several days?’

  ‘I’m afraid so, ma’am.’

  ‘Kim, I don’t know if my husband will pay the ransom. What will happen to me if he doesn’t pay?’

  She saw Ng flinch and his hands turn into fists.

  ‘He will pay, ma’am,’ Ng said earnestly. ‘My master has told me so.’

  ‘How can you be so sure, Kim?’

  ‘He has to pay, ma’am. My master has told me so.’

  ‘Your master?’ Shannon drank more coffee. ‘How odd for you to call a kidnapper your master.’

  Ng had a sudden feeling he was talking too much. He wanted to talk. He wanted to tell this lovely woman how much he loved her. He wanted to tell her about his past life, but he restrained himself.

  ‘Is there anything I can get for you, ma’am?’

  Shannon realized that he had gone on the defensive, and for the moment she had lost him. She knew she would get nothing further from him, but she also felt, if she handled him gently, he would co-operate.

  ‘Yes, please, Kim. If I have to stay here for some days, I would like a radio. Could you get that for me?’

  ‘Oh, yes, ma’am,’ Ng said eagerly. ‘That’s no problem.’

  ‘Then the other thing I would like is a Bible.’

  She saw Ng stiffen, then he stared at her.

  ‘A Bible?’

  ‘I think you are a good Catholic as I am,’ Shannon said, quick to see his reaction. ‘Yes, please… a Bible.’

  Ng’s mind flashed back to the priest who had taught him English and how to write, his kindness, his understanding and his religious instruction.

  ‘Yes, ma’am. I’ll be back soon.’

  The film going on in Ng’s mind faded.

  He had bought a small transistor and a Bible out of the housekeeping money that Kling had given him. He had returned to the Whipping room and was glad and sorry that Shannon was in the bathroom. He paused, listening to the sound of water filling the bath, then he placed the radio and the Bible on the occasional table, paused for a long moment to stare wistfully at the bathroom door, then went out into the lonely sunshine.

  * * *

  Looking around at Beigler, Lepski and Howard Jackson, Terrell said, ‘Drysdale has fingered Lucky Lucan for the kidnapping.’

  ‘That I can’t believe!’ Lepski said with a snort. ‘That wet creep wouldn’t have the guts to kidnap a mouse!’

  ‘You’re right, Tom,’ Terrell said, ‘but it looks as if he just might have steered the kidnappers to Mrs Jamison. Drysdale said Lucan came to him for information about Jamison and his wife. Then this morning, Drysdale saw Lucan talking to a tough-looking, thin man who could match the boy’s description. When Drysdale questioned Lucan about Mrs Jamison, Lucan seemed to fall apart and got in a panic. That’s all we have to go on, but it makes a picture.’

  ‘The tough-looking man?’ Jackson asked.

  ‘Lucan says he’s just a neighbour and doesn’t know his name, according to Drysdale. It would be helpful to find out if this tough-looking man has a companion.’

  ‘That’s easy,’ Jackson said. ‘The Star Motel? So suppose I put one of my women operators there. She can rent a cabin and watch.’

  ‘That’s a good thought,’ Terrell said, nodding. ‘We have to tread carefully, Jackson. Neither Lucan nor this tough must get the idea we are checking them out.’

  ‘Leave it to me, Chief. I’ve just the woman,’ Jackson said. ‘I’ll get her there in a couple of hours,’ and he reached for the telephone.

  * * *

  Lucan was in a state of near panic. If Kling hadn’t promised to pay him half a million dollars, he would have packed and fled back to New York, but he was sure Kling would never part with the money unless he stayed.

  Drysdale’s unexpected visit had almost destroyed Lucan’s nerves.

  As Lucan paced up and down in the living-room of his cabin, he kept asking himself if Drysdale knew that the Jamison woman had been kidnapped. Was Drysdale sniffing for a clue or was he just trying to satisfy his curiosity?

  Lucan cursed himself for losing his nerve and had reacted so stupidly when Drysdale had asked him how he had got on with the Jamisons. That could have been a harmless question, but Lucan now was sure that by his stupid reaction he had aroused Drysdale’s insatiable curiosity.

  Hearing a car start up, he hurried to the window in time to see Kling drive away.

  He looked at his watch. The time was 20.40. He realized he had been pacing the floor for the best part of two hours, worrying and sweating. He felt mildly hungry. He decided to drive down to the city and have dinner at one of the many sea-food restaurants. Maybe he could find a woman who would help him pass the night. If he didn’t relax, he told himself, he would go out of his skull.

  He took a quick shower, put on a fresh shirt, then, turning off the lights, he went out into the steamy darkness.

  As he was locking the door, a small car pulled up.

  ‘Excuse me.’ A girl’s voice. ‘Can you tell me which is cabin twenty-four?’

  Turning, Lucan surveyed the girl who had just got out of the car. She stood in the hard light from the roof of the motel and smiled at him.

  Lucan felt his blood quicken. Some chick! he thought.

  She was tall, slim, wearing skin-tight jeans and a T-shirt. What this get-up did to her figure startled Lucan. Some body! he thought. She was pretty in a sophisticated way: blonde curls, big blue eyes and a wide, sensual mouth.

  ‘Cabin 24?’ he said, turning oh his charming smile. ‘Right next door. I’m Julian Lucan. Looks like I’m going to be your neighbour. Are you here for long?’

  ‘I’m Beryl Shaddock. Call me Berry,’ the girl said. ‘Sure, I’m staying for at least a week. I’m waiting for my husband to join me.’ She pouted. ‘He’s always joining me some place or the other.’

  Lucan smiled again. He liked nothing better than pretty wives whose husbands were joining them sooner or later.

  ‘Anything I can do to help, Berry?’

  ‘Well, I’ve got a suitcase.’ She looked helpless. ‘Perhaps…?’ She flicked open the trunk of the car.

  ‘Sure.’ Lucan heaved out the heav
y bag. ‘Give me the key. I’ll see you settled.’

  Together they entered the cabin. Lucan switched on the lights and placed the bag by the bed.

  ‘That’s real nice of you, Julian,’ the girl said. ‘Well, thanks a million.’

  ‘Maybe we’ll be seeing each other,’ Lucan said as he moved to the door. ‘I know this city. I could show you around.’

  ‘You could?’ Her smile brightened. ‘I’d love that.’

  ‘Okay,’ Lucan said. He was getting the idea that this well built chick could be a push-over.

  ‘I’m starving,’ she said, thrusting her breasts at him. ‘I’ve flown from New York and the food on the plane was just terrible. Can I eat here?’

  ‘Sure, but the food here is also terrible,’ Lucan said, seeing his chance. ‘I’m just going to a little sea-food restaurant. Be my guest.’

  ‘Could I? Marvellous!’ Her blue eyes flashed. ‘You are so kind, Julian!’

  ‘Fine. Come as you are. You look terrific. Knock on my cabin door when you’re fixed.’

  Of course, Lucan wasn’t to know that Beryl Shaddock was an FBI agent, Howard Jackson’s plant. Nor, of course, would he know that this seemingly sexy-looking girl was one of the best FBI agents in Florida: that she was an expert karate fighter, an expert pistol shot and tougher than teak.

  As soon as Lucan had returned to his cabin, Beryl ran into the bathroom, washed, fixed her face, then ran to her suitcase. From it she extracted a two-way radio. In moments, she was speaking softly to Jackson, with Lepski, who had been given the task to work with Jackson, listening in.

  ‘Going like a dream,’ she whispered. ‘I’m having dinner with Lucan right now.’

  Jackson chortled.

  ‘Marvellous girl! Now look, take it slow. Lucan is no fool. Give him a good time. Just get him to relax. I want to know about the tough character he was talking to. Get it?’

  ‘I’m with you. Over and out.’

  Beryl replaced the two-way radio and locked the bag. Then, leaving her cabin, being careful to lock the door, she moved along the sandy path and knocked on Lucan’s door.

  Half an hour later, Lucan was seated at a table for two in one of the better sea-food restaurants, facing Beryl.

  ‘Hmmm!’ she said. ‘I’m starving to death.’

  ‘Let me choose for you,’ Lucan said.

  The Maītre d’ appeared and Lucan ordered dressed crabs, followed by a dish of clams, big prawns, corn on the cob, boiled potatoes and a lobster each.

  While waiting, Beryl chatted. She was an expert at saying nothing, but holding a man’s interest. She kept leaning forward so Lucan could get a good look at her cleavage. She told him her husband (she wasn’t married) was in real estate and was setting up in Miami. Lucan, scarcely listening, kept staring at her half-concealed breasts. It wasn’t until they had eaten the crab and were drinking white wine that Beryl said casually, ‘Tell me about my neighbours, Julian. Are there any as handsome as you?’

  Her sexy blue eyes were watching him, and she saw him stiffen.

  ‘Just a bunch of old squares,’ he said curtly. ‘You don’t have to bother your pretty head about them.’

  She laughed.

  ‘Why should I? Tell me about Paradise City.’

  On safe ground, Lucan relaxed again. He was an amusing talker and while they ate the main course he kept her laughing. All the time, he was wondering if he could get her into his bed. She seemed easy, but he was so experienced with women, he knew he had to approach cautiously.

  The meal over, Lucan suggested they went on to the Casino and dance.

  ‘Julian, please excuse me,’ Beryl said, caressing his arm. ‘I’m terribly tired.’ She leaned forward and brushed his cheek with her lips. ‘Could we make it tomorrow?’

  Lucan didn’t know whether to be disappointed or excited.

  ‘Okay, babe,’ he said. ‘I understand. You really mean we have a date for tomorrow night?’

  She gave a sexy little moan.

  ‘Oh, yes, you handsome, marvellous man!’ She had to control herself not to burst out laughing at this corny dialogue.

  ‘I’ll see you home,’ Lucan said.

  ‘Oh no! You find a nice girl – not as nice as I am – but find her, and we’ll really get together tomorrow night. I’ll take a taxi.’

  Now, completely hooked, Lucan put his arm around her, fondling her breasts, and moved with her to his car.

  ‘You go back with me, baby,’ he said. ‘I’ll take a sleeping pill and dream of tomorrow night.’

  Sitting beside him, as he drove back to the motel, in the darkness, Beryl frowned.

  Not a profitable evening information-wise, she thought, but at least she had had an excellent dinner at Lucan’s expense. Howard had warned her to take it slow. So, okay, tomorrow was another day.

  But action for her started as Lucan pulled up outside her cabin.

  Standing unsteadily in the glare of the roof lights, a half bottle of Scotch in his hand was Kling.

  Kling had gone to the Casino, looking for a girl, but not finding one who suited him, he got good and drunk. He had been gently eased out of the Casino and into his car. The guards of the Casino had a lot of experience handling drunks. Kling let them put him in his car and start the car engine.

  He had no idea how he had reached the Star Motel. His one thought now was to lie on his bed and drink more Scotch.

  ‘Oh, God!’ Lucan exclaimed when he saw Kling staggering towards him. ‘This could mean trouble, Berry.’

  ‘Who’s this?’ she asked.

  ‘A goddamn drunk who lives in a cabin not far from me,’ Lucan said, hurriedly getting out of his car. ‘You sit still, babe. I’ll handle him.’

  As Kling weaved towards them, Beryl saw he was tall, thin and tough-looking. She gave Lucan a moment, then got out of the car.

  By then Kling had arrived.

  ‘Hi, Lucky!’ he bawled. ‘Any chick? I went to town and, goddamn it, couldn’t find a screw.’

  ‘Shut up!’ Lucan snapped. ‘You’re drunk!’

  ‘Sure, I’m drunk,’ Kling bawled, then he saw Beryl as she stood by the car. ‘Hey! Hey! What have you got there?’

  ‘Get the hell out!’ Lucan snapped. ‘Come on, Ernie, you’re making a goddamn exhibition of yourself.’

  ‘You are certainly lucky, Lucky,’ Kling said and leered at Beryl. ‘Hi, baby! If you feel like changing partners, I’m in the market.’

  Then Ng appeared into the glaring light. He took hold of Kling by his wrist and pulled him back. Kling stumbled, and hung onto Ng, mumbling, then Ng guided him down the sandy path and into their cabin. The door shut.

  ‘Well…’ Beryl laughed. ‘High life at the Star Motel. Who was that?’

  ‘I told you,’ Lucan said, sweating. ‘Just a goddamn drunk. I’m sorry about this.’

  ‘Why did he call you Lucky?’

  ‘Forget it. He’s a drunk.’

  ‘And that odd-looking boy. He looked Vietnamese to me. Who is he?’

  ‘God knows.’ Lucan was getting into a panic. ‘His servant, I guess. I tell your baby, I’m sorry about this.’

  She patted his arm.

  ‘I thought it was fun. Then see you tomorrow.’ She gave him a quick kiss on his cheek, then, unlocking the door of her cabin, turning to give him a wave, she entered and closed the door.

  Three minutes later she was talking to Howard Jackson on her two-way radio.

  * * *

  The time was ten minutes after midnight.

  Terrell sat at his desk, facing Howard Jackson and Lepski as he listened to Jackson’s report.

  ‘Looks like we have a big lead,’ Jackson said. ‘My operator has done a great job in a short time. She’s got in real with Lucan. Returning to the motel, they encountered a drunk who called Lucan ‘Lucky’. This is the tall thin, tough-looking guy that Drysdale tipped.’ He went on to describe what had happened outside the motel. ‘Now, this is interesting. A young slim Vietnamese man took the drunk away. These tw
o seem to match the description of the two men who kidnapped Mrs Jamison by the kid. My operator is going to check them out. By tomorrow, we’ll have their names. Maybe they will have records. My operator might be able to get into their cabin and lift some fingerprints. She’s good at that.’

  Terrell shook his head.

  ‘No! We wait until Jamison gives us the green light that he has paid the ransom and got Mrs Jamison back. Tell your operator to lay off. This is too dangerous. If we make one slip, Mrs Jamison could be murdered, and then Jamison will really start big trouble.’

  Jackson grimaced, then shrugged.

  ‘Okay. This is your neck of the woods. But when the ransom is paid, we move in fast?’

  Terrell nodded.

  ‘Yes, but not before Mrs Jamison is returned.’

  As Beryl was relaxing in her bed, ready to sleep, her two-way radio, lying on her pillow, came alive.

  ‘Beryl?’

  ‘Right here.’ Her mind became alert.

  ‘The orders are to play this one cool. Do nothing further. The cops are shit-scared of Jamison. So, just enjoy yourself, keep your eyes open, but no action until I give you the green light… understand?’

  ‘That’s great news!’ Beryl said sarcastically. ‘Now, listen to me! I’ve got involved with Lucan. He expects to drag me into his bed tomorrow night. I think he is an utter creep and the last man I’d want to bed with. I need help, Howard. I want my supposed husband to arrive pronto tomorrow morning. If he doesn’t, I’m packing and leaving!’

  Jackson sighed.

  ‘Okay. I’ll be there. Maybe it’s a good idea. I’ll be able to take a look at these two guys.’

  ‘That’s what I thought. And listen, Howard, there are two beds in this cabin. No funny business! I’m not all that mad about you either.’

  ‘Beryl! I’m shocked. I am a respectably married man!’

  ‘I know. I’ve already met too many respectably married men. They are married, but there’s nothing respectable about them! No funny business!’ And Beryl switched off.

  * * *

  Lepski arrived home at 01.15. He was in no mood to put up with Carroll’s tantrums. There were times – not many – when he asserted himself.

  He was tired, and there was some thought that kept nagging at the back of his mind which he couldn’t pin down. This infuriated him and turned him sour.