If he had expected to disconcert her, he was disappointed. She let her head drop back on the padded cushion of the lounging chair and she laughed.
“I am beginning to think you are the man I have been looking for,” she said. “You seem to be as unscrupulous as I am. You could have yourself a deal.”
“Where is the pearl, Erica?”
“I wish I could trust you.” She looked steadily at him. “There is so much involved. I can’t make up my mind about you.”
Girland got to his feet.
“Let us get to know each other better,” he said. “There is no better place for a man and a woman to do that than in a bed.”
Her eyes widened with surprise.
“Do you think going to bed with you will solve my problem?”
Girland reached down, took her hand and pulled her to her feet.
“I don’t know. Frankly, I don’t much care. I know you are beautiful and I want you. I think we have talked enough for tonight. I think now we should make love and forget about business. Then tomorrow, when we know each other better, we can talk again. What do you think?”
She rested her hands on his shoulders and she studied his face.
“You are an extraordinary man.”
“I suppose I am.” He put his arms around her and drew her to him. She yielded. His hands slid down her back, cupped her buttocks and he pulled her hard against him, his mouth searching for hers.
She shook her head.
“No, wait. Let’s go to my room.” She broke free, smiling. “I don’t do this with every man I meet, but I do now want to know you better.”
“It’s the certain way,” Girland said and he walked with her across the big lounge, down the wide passage and to her bedroom door. He pushed open the door and as they moved into the room, she gave him a hard shove that sent him off balance, and slid away from him.
The man standing by the open window, a silenced 7.65 mm Luger automatic in his hand, gave Girland the biggest shock of his life.
Chapter Eight
The man didn’t look particularly dangerous, but any man holding a Luger equipped with a silencer, was unpredictable and Girland was careful to make no sudden move.
“Come right in, Mr. Girland,” the man said. “I have been looking forward to meeting you.”
Girland studied him. He was tall, fattish, balding with a pronounced paunch. He would be around sixty years of age. His blue eyes, his broad features, his wide fixed smile revealing glittering white dentures, his immaculate lightweight suit and his expensive French tie gave him a solid and substantial personality.
Girland saw he handled the gun expertly as if the gun was as familiar to him as his aftershave lotion. With his sharp perception, Girland decided this man was a smooth trickster, probably without funds, but dressing the part of a rich man to obtain credit from snob shopkeepers who couldn’t fail to be impressed by his appearance.
“How did you get in here?” Girland asked as he moved into the large airy bedroom.
“Carlota let me in while you were ordering that excellent dinner.”
“Carlota?”
Erica was now sitting on the bed. She looked faintly amused as she watched Girland walk over to the stool before the dressing table and sit on it.
“Mr. Girland,” the fat man said, leaning against the wall, “before we go any further, please don’t try anything heroic. I am an expert shot and I can, at this range, blow your right knee cap to pieces should you decide to be difficult. Since you are a very active man, I am sure you wouldn’t like that to happen.”
“Okay,” Girland said, and lifted his hands in mock surrender. “You have made your point. Is she Carlota? I was under the impression she was Erica Olsen.”
“She is Carlota Olsen . . . Erica’s sister. These two very handsome girls are my daughters,” the fat man said, beaming at Carlota. “Mr. Girland, I have been eavesdropping. I have been quite carried away by your persuasive sales talk. I have reached the conclusion that you are exactly the man we have been looking for. I think Carlota is of the same mind.” He looked at his daughter. “Aren’t you, my dear?”
“Oh, yes,” she said. “I think he could do very well.”
Without taking his eyes off Girland, the fat man bent to pick up a portable tape recorder that had been concealed behind a chair.
“Mr. Girland,” he said, “I have a perfect recording of your talk with my daughter. You were threatening to blackmail her. I am now in the happy position to be able to blackmail you. This small reel of tape would interest Mr. Dorey. I doubt very much if it would please him. I am under the impression that if he should ever listen to your recorded remarks, he would make life extremely unpleasant for you.”
Girland laughed. His amusement was so genuine that the fat man joined in while Carlota regarded them with an impatient frown.
“When you have finished amusing yourselves,” she said tartly, “suppose we get down to business?”
Girland ignored her.
“Your trick,” he said to the fat man. “Your name’s Olsen? Right?”
“Erich Olsen.”
Girland took a packet of cigarettes from his pocket “This fascinates me. Suppose you fill me in?”
“You do agree that the tape could embarrass you?”
“Of course. It wouldn’t do you any good either, but let’s skip that. Tell me what’s cooking.”
“My daughters and I,” Olsen said, “are like you, Mr. Girland. We are opportunists. We have been on the lookout for a big killing. We have been extremely patient and now we are in sight of our goal.
“Erica, who is a year older than Carlota, had a position as a badly paid secretary. She went with her boss on a trade mission to Pekin. There she met Feng Hoh Kung. Now, Erica is extremely attractive. Kung made a proposal and Erica accepted. This was quite a blow to Carlota and myself. We felt our little trio had broken up. However, Erica hadn’t forgotten us. After some months, she decided the life she had chosen wasn’t for her. She also discovered it was going to be very difficult for her to leave Pekin. However, she was fortunate enough to meet a Chinese youth who was to prove helpful. It was he who got her out of China. At this time, Carlota was in Stockholm.” Olsen flashed his white dentures at Girland, “I was in Paris. There was a little misunderstanding with the Swedish police, and it was wiser for me to live in Paris.” He shrugged. “You know how these things can happen. Carlota received a cable from her sister, asking her to come at once to Hong Kong. There was a hint in the cable that it would be worth Carlota’s time and trouble if she did so. She consulted me and I advised her to go. Erica had found Kung a disagreeable old gentleman and to compensate her for the various experiences she had been subjected to, she took with her when she left, the famous Black Grape pearl.” Again the white dentures flashed. “She was quickly missed and Kung’s agents were alerted in Hong Kong. Erica found herself in a trap and she was forced into hiding. She and Carlota conceived the idea that Carlota should impersonate Erica and draw off the hunt. It was a very brave thing to do. Erica’s Chinese boyfriend found a tattooist who copied the well-known Kung’s initials on Carlota and she returned to Paris. Erica had given her a Chinese drug that temporarily blots out the memory. We needed publicity and we wanted Kung to believe that Erica had reached Paris. Carlota took the drug. This was necessary as we knew that under examination - if she hadn’t taken the drug - she would be found to be faking and that, of course, would have led to complications. By the oddest chance, this unfortunate nurse was shot instead of Carlota. Fortunately for us, you had the idea of telling the press that it was Erica who had died. Now the pressure is off, but there are still a number of difficulties. We need your help, Mr. Girland. Would you have any objection to going to Hong Kong and bringing back the pearl?”
Girland stared at him.
“Why don’t you go?”
Olsen smiled.
“I am in a slightly unfortunate position. I am safe enough living in France, but in British territory, I co
uld be embarrassed. It wouldn’t be wise for me to leave the country at the moment.”
“Let’s get this straight. You want me to go to Hong Kong, collect the pearl, bring it back here and fix the deal with Yew at three million dollars? Is that right?”
“You will also bring Erica with you. She wouldn’t part with the pearl to a stranger, Mr. Girland.”
“Why doesn’t she just come? Now the pressure’s off, she could come, couldn’t she?”
“Well, no. It hasn’t been possible to get her a false passport It is believed that at least two of the men at the police control are in Kung’s pay. I had hoped with your connections that you might get her a false passport.”
“Is she like you in appearance?” Girland asked Carlota.
“Yes, very much like me.”
“Dorey gave me a passport and also a marriage certificate in cage you needed convincing that I was your husband. I still have both documents. I see no reason why Erica couldn’t travel on this passport.”
Olsen beamed.
“You see, Mr. Girland, how wise we were asking for your help.”
“This will cost money,” Girland said after a moment of thought. “Have you got any?”
Olsen shook his head.
“Money is something I seldom have, but it did occur to me that your friend Mr. Yew might be persuaded to finance the trip to Hong Kong.”
Girland laughed.
“You certainly are an opportunist. Yes, I should think if he were definitely promised the pearl, he would advance the necessary cash. I’ll talk to him.”
“Then there’s Carlota,” Olsen said. “I imagine the French police won’t let her out of France until they are convinced that she has had nothing to do with Kung. Carlota should return to Stockholm. There are rather pressing affairs for her to attend to. Can you help her to leave quickly, Mr. Girland?”
“Shouldn’t be difficult.” Girland turned to Carlota. “You will have to see Dorey. He may keep you a few days asking all kinds of questions, but if we have our story set up, you should be free to travel by the end of the week.”
“Well, then . . .” Olsen pushed himself away from the wall. “We seem to have had a very useful meeting, Mr. Girland. The sooner we get Erica back the better. What will your first move be?”
“I’ll see Yew and raise some money. Tomorrow morning, Carlota and I will fly to Paris. I will talk to Dorey, leave her with him and get off to Hong Kong. Where do I find Erica?”
“Carlota will give you the address.”
Girland turned on his charm.
“Now we are partners, Olsen, let me have the tape.” He got to his feet, but paused as Olsen lifted the gun and pointed it at him. With a flash of his dentures, Olsen said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Girland, but I am keeping the tape as insurance. You are far too great an opportunist for me to trust you entirely. Although it would be difficult for you to get the pearl away from Erica, it would not be impossible, and from what I have seen of you, you can achieve the impossible. So long as I keep the tape, then I feel fairly certain of getting my money. If by any chance you attempt a double-cross, I will not only send the tape to Dorey, but I will send a copy to the Press Association. I will make absolutely sure no one will benefit from the pearl except the Olsen family.”
Girland grinned.
“It was worth a try,” he said. He looked at Carlota who was watching him. “Your father deserves to prosper, doesn’t he?”
“He hasn’t up to now,” Carlota said. “But he keeps trying.”
“Excuse me for not shaking hands, Mr. Girland,” Olsen said, waving the gun apologetically. “I will be expecting a telephone call from you. Carlota will give you the number.”
He walked around Girland, carrying the tape recorder in his left hand, the gun pointing at Girland.
“So long,” Girland said.
The bedroom door closed, then the front door slammed and Girland looked at Carlota with a quizzical smile. “You are quite a family. I can’t wait to meet Erica.”
“She isn’t as nice as I am,” Carlota said. “She is prettier, but she hasn’t my charm.”
“That is sad for her.” Girland looked at his watch. “I wonder if I can get hold of Yew. It’s getting late, but he might be in. My life seems to be spent haggling about money.”
He crossed the room and opened the door.
Carlota said, “Haven’t you forgotten something?”
He turned and looked at her, raising his eyebrows.
“Have I?”
“I thought we had come in here to get to know each other better.”
Girland laughed.
“I must be getting old.” He closed the door. “I can talk to Yew tomorrow morning.”
Staring at him, her violet-blue eyes dark and inviting, Carlota slowly zipped open her dress.
* * *
Mavis Paul, Dorey’s new secretary was dark, beautifully built and very assured. She had fought her way up to this position from the typist pool. She was efficient, pretty, diamond hard and determined to make good. She regarded Girland unfavourably as he wandered into her office. This sloppily dressed man in an open neck sports shirt and faded blue jeans made her hackles rise. This was no way for an American to dress in Paris, she thought as she regarded him with a cold, hostile stare.
“Well?” she snapped.
“Apart from a slight hangover, I’m not too bad, thank you,” Girland said. He placed his large suntanned hands on the desk and leaned towards her, smiling. “You must be the new recruit. Ever get lonely, baby? I take care of all the lonely chicks in Paris.”
Mavis stiffened.
“How . . .”
“. . . dare you make such a remark,” Girland broke in, beating her to it. “Sorry. You are so lovely and you have lonely eyes. How’s the old square? Is he busy?”
Mavis looked helplessly around the office, but there was no one to help her cope with this man who was smiling at her, and she had to admit he did have a charming smile.
“Mr. Dorey is busy right now,” she managed to say and then was horrified when Girland reached over her desk, flicked down the switch that connected the desk intercom with Dorey’s office and said in a loud, sinister sounding voice, “The Russians have landed. I advise immediate surrender.”
She sat petrified. Then Dorey’s cold, dry voice came out of the intercom box. “Is that you, Girland? Come in.”
“See? Simple,” Girland said as he flicked up the switch. He leaned forward and kissed Mavis on her cheek. “Let’s have a date, baby.” He took her solid slap on his face without flinching.
He straightened, felt his jaw and grimaced. “Phew! That could have laid Clay on the canvas. You pack a mean punch, honey.”
“Get in there before I throw my typewriter at you!” Mavis said furiously.
“Did anyone tell you that when you are in a rage, sparks fly out of your eyes?” Girland asked, moving away from the desk. “Sparks like brilliant little stars. Quite the most attractive phenomenon I have ever seen from any woman.” He blew her a kiss. “Bye for now and don’t pine for me. We’re sure to meet again.”
He crossed the room and entered Dorey’s office.
Dorey, behind his desk, glared suspiciously at him as he came in.
“What’s happened? Why are you in Paris? Don’t tell me you’ve lost her again!”
“Oh no.” Girland sat down and reached for one of Dorey’s expensive cigarettes in the box on the desk. “Nothing like that.”
“What’s happened to your face?” Dorey said, staring at the bright red mark on Girland’s cheek.
“Collision with an irresistible force,” Girland explained and laughed. “It’s an occupational hazard.”
“You haven’t been interfering with my secretary, have you?” Dorey asked, frowning at Girland.
“No . . . actually she interfered with me.” Girland lit his cigarette, then went on, “Dorey, prepare for the worst. We have laid an addled egg.”
Dorey stiffened.
&nb
sp; “What does that mean?”
“Just that . . . the egg is addled.” Girland made himself more comfortable. “Our subject has her memory back, and guess what? She isn’t Erica Olsen. She is Carlota Olsen, Erica’s sister. How do you like that? From what she tells me, she was the smoke screen behind which Erica could disappear. As Carlota will tell you, Erica got bored with Kung and ran off. She managed to reach Hong Kong, but Kung’s agents, breathing fire, caught up with her. She had to go into hiding. She persuaded her sister to come out to Hong Kong and then talked her into impersonating her. A tattooist faked Kung’s initials on Carlota’s derrière and then Carlota returned to Paris. She took some drug that wiped out her memory and she was then planted for you and the gendarmes to find. While the Chinese were trying to knock her off and the Russians trying to kidnap her, Erica got out of Hong Kong and has got lost. Just where she is is anyone’s guess. Carlota has no idea. So that’s the sad story.”
Dorey leaned back in his chair. His thin lips tightened.
“Where is this woman?”
“Carlota? Right outside. I told her you would want to talk to her. She’s ready to cooperate. She did this to help her sister. She had no idea that there were any political implications. She was just giving her sister time to get away from Kung.” Girland shook his head. “Quite a brave thing for a girl to have done.”
“I’ll talk to her,” Dorey said grimly.
“I’ll shoo her in.” Girland got to his feet. “Well, I guess this lets me out, doesn’t it? I’m sorry it didn’t work out the way you hoped it would. I did what you wanted . . . it’s just one of those things.” He smiled at Dorey. “Let me see now, you owe me ten thousand francs . . . right?”
“Wrong!” Dorey snapped. “I gave you twenty thousand francs. So you owe me ten thousand francs and I’m going to have it!”
Girland looked sad.
“You have no idea what it cost me to rent an apartment in Monte Carlo. Then there was the fare up for the two of us. As Carlota was a little nervous, I thought we had better travel first-class. Anyway, I’ll let you have an account. I think you will find you owe me rather than I owe you. Anyway, you talk to Carlota.” Girland’s smile widened. “You’ll like her . . . she’s quite a girl.’
1966 - You Have Yourself a Deal Page 16
