The Way the Cookie Crumbles

Chapter Four

Joy Ansley, back from a three-week vacation spent with her father in the Bahamas, was unpacking. As she moved about her spacious bedroom, she thought a little sadly that the vacation hadn’t been much of a success. A woman as hopelessly in love as she was, she thought, as she picked up the last suitcase and put it on the bed, just shouldn’t spend three weeks in a romantic place like the Bahamas with an eighty-year old father, spry and alert as he might be. She had missed Mel Devon too much to enjoy herself.

Joy Ansley was thirty-one years of age. She was tall and dark. Her features were good, her dark eyes beautiful. She had poise and a serenity of character that distinguished her immediately in a room full of people. She had met Mel Devon five years ago and had been in love with him ever since. She knew he was married and she quickly discovered he had no intention of getting married again.

She was forced to accept this situation, and she was grateful that he chose her to be his hostess when he entertained, his partner at tennis, his companion for the occasional movie and his confidante. They saw a lot of each other. People talked as people always will talk. Mel was oblivious, and Joy didn’t care. Her father, Judge Ansley, watched all this sadly, but wisely said nothing.

This was something these two had to work out for themselves, he decided. He only hoped Mel, whom he liked and admired, wouldn’t take too long working it out. Suddenly bored with her unpacking, Joy crossed to the open window and looked out. Her father, a tall, lean old man with wispy white hair, was walking along one of the grass paths, examining the rose bushes for any sign of Aphis.

She smiled at the sight of him and glanced at her watch. It was nearly 16.00 hours: time for his cup of tea. She left the room and ran down the stairs.

As she crossed the hall, the telephone bell rang. It was Mel Devon. The sound of his voice always made her a little breathless. This was the first time since she had got back that they had spoken together.

‘Why, Mel,’ she said. ‘How nice. I was going to call you tonight.’

‘How are you, Joy? Did you have a nice vacation?’

‘It was fine. I...’

‘Is the Judge all right?’

‘He’s wonderful. We were wondering...’

‘Joy can we meet around six? I want to talk to you.’ The serious note in his voice startled her.

‘Yes, of course. Where shall we meet?’

‘Would you mind coming to the bank?’

‘No, of course not, but it’s such a lovely afternoon. Wouldn’t you like to come down to the beach hut?’

‘No. Please come to the bank, Joy. I’ll explain when we meet. Then I’ll see you at six?’

‘Yes.’

‘Come right up. I’ll tell Miss Ashley I’m expecting you. Well, then goodbye, my dear for now,’ and he hung up.

More slowly, Joy replaced the receiver. She stood thinking, vaguely uneasy, vaguely excited. I want to talk to you. Was this at last about themselves?

She walked across the room and into the sunshine to where the Judge was waiting patiently for his tea.

And now, a few minutes after 18.00 hours, she was sitting in Mel’s comfortable office, her fingers clutching her handbag, her heart beating unevenly as she listened to what he was telling her with growing tension and alarm.

Mel, looking tired and strained, had prefaced his talk after greeting her, with an attempt to cushion the shock.

‘Joy we’ve been damn good friends for longer than I can remember. I’ve often brought my troubles to you and you’ve always been helpful and understanding. Something pretty rotten happened while you’ve been away. I want you to know about it. So far only a very few know and I think I can trust them not to talk, but if it does get out, I’ll be in a mess. I want you to hear it all from me, rather than later from someone else.’

That hadn’t cushioned the shock, but Joy was sufficiently controlled and poised not to let Mel see her sudden apprehension. The idea of anything unpleasant threatening this man’s way of life, to her was much worse than if it threatened herself.

‘Tell me, Mel,’ she said, forcing herself to relax back in the big armchair. ‘What is it?’

Mel sat at his desk, his elbows resting on its polished surface, his hands cupping his chin. He told her bluntly about Muriel Marsh Devon and Johnny Williams and about Norena.

Joy listened, thinking gratefully it could be so much worse, but shrinking a little when she realized this man she loved had now a seventeen-year old daughter who was living in his house, probably doing all those things to make him comfortable that Joy had hoped to do and pushing him still further from her by her companionship and love.

‘Well, there you are,’ Mel concluded. ‘It’s a sordid thing, isn’t it? I suppose it is bound to leak out sooner or later. I can trust Terrell and Brewer. Terrell’s men won’t talk, but this dwarf worries me. If he wasn’t in the know, I would be much happier.’

‘But if he is fond of your daughter, why should he make mischief?’ Joy asked.

‘I know. I’ve thought of that, but I instinctively don’t trust him.’ Mel shrugged irritably. ‘But that needn’t worry us now. It’s two weeks since the inquest. Nothing’s been said about either Norena or myself. So we must wait and hope.’ He sat back, gripping the arms of his chair. ‘But it’s Norena.’ He looked at Joy, then shrugged helplessly. ‘I guess I kidded myself. It gave me a terrific bang when Terrell told me that Norena was found after all this time. The thought of having her back and all mine, really did things to me.’ He smiled ruefully. ‘I guess I was overoptimistic. I suppose it’s natural enough that she’s on the defensive, not to say hostile. She has been brought up to believe I made her mother’s life so unbearable that she left me. It’s going to take some living down if I ever do live it down. The fact is, after having her in my home now for two weeks, we’re still complete strangers.’

Joy shook her head sympathetically.

‘You must be patient, Mel. I understand how you’re feeling, but you have to consider her feelings too.’

‘I do. She’s so unlike what I imagined my daughter would be,’ Mel said. ‘Frankly, if she wasn’t so amazingly like Muriel, it would be hard to believe she was my daughter.’

‘What’s she doing with herself?’

‘That’s the trouble. She doesn’t seem to show any interest in anything. She spends a lot of time in her room, listening to pop records that frankly drive me scatty.’ He smiled ruefully. ‘I guess I asked for that. I gave her a record player and money and she’s been buying these damned records ever since. I wanted her to come to the club and get coached for tennis, but that was square. I wanted her to take up riding, but that was also square. I haven’t dared suggest golf.’

‘But, Mel dear, she’s not a boy. Perhaps she isn’t interested in sport. A lot of girls aren’t.’

‘Yes, I guess that’s right. I thought it would be fun to play tennis with her and go riding. Yes, I put my foot wrong there.’

‘What else does she do?’

‘Well, I gave her a car and she goes over to Seacombe a lot.’ Mel stared down at his hands. ‘She’s seeing too much of that damned dwarf. She’s much fonder of him than she is of me. There’s something unhealthy and unpleasant about him. I’m thinking of putting a stop to her seeing him.’

Joy lifted her dark eyebrows.

‘How will you do that, Mel?’

‘Well, I’ll tell her not to see him.’

‘And if she wants to know why?’

He looked sharply at her.

‘You don’t think I should stop her seeing him?’

‘Look at it this way,’ Joy said. ‘This little man knew her mother well. At the moment he is Norena’s feeling of security. She’s been suddenly transplanted into comfort and wealth with a man she knows is her father, but who doesn’t mean a great deal to her. It’s natural she should want to see Edris. is that his name?’

‘But he’s a dwarf! There’s something about him... I don’t know what it is but I don’t like him! Why should a seventeen-year old girl want to spend so much of her time with a dwarf!’

‘You leave home at half-past eight and you get back at six-thirty. It’s a long day for her to sit at home listening to pop records. Who else is there for her to talk to?’

‘If she would come to the club, she would find someone.’

‘Oh, no, Mel, be sensible. The women at the club are either married with children or like me, too old to bother with a teenager.’

Mel sat back in his chair and spread out his hands.

‘All right. All my ideas are wrong. Suppose you make a suggestion.’

‘I should have thought the obvious solution was for her to get a job. That way she will meet people of her own age. She’ll be occupied and she won’t feel like a fish out of water.’

‘Oh, for heaven’s sake! I don’t want my daughter to work! Why should she? I have all the money either of us need. As a matter of fact she did say something about getting a job at the bank. It’s ridiculous. Why should a pretty girl bury herself in this bank?’

‘Could you get her in, Mel?’

‘It wouldn’t be easy. Yes, I guess I could. As V.P. I could arrange it. But I’m not going to do it. I don’t want her to go out to work.’

‘I think you should.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘Will you come back to dinner? I know father would like to see you.’

‘I would like to see him, but I can’t. I can’t leave Norena all this time alone. I’m a bit tied up now, Joy. You can see that.’

‘I won’t suggest she should come too. An eighty-year old Judge and a middle-aged spinster wouldn’t be much fun for her.’

‘Where do you get this middle-aged spinster stuff from?’

Joy laughed.

‘You will have to do something. You must let her work here. I am sure it will solve the problem. You usually take my advice. Will you please make arrangements for her to come here as soon as possible?’

‘You really think it would work?’

‘I’m sure of it.’

He hesitated, then nodded.

‘Maybe you’re right. I’ll talk with her. I’ll have to consult Crawsure. He looks after the staff. He won’t like it, but I’ll pull my rank on him.’

Joy got to her feet.

‘It’s my first night back, Mel. Father expects me. I must go. When do we meet?’

‘Tomorrow night? Let’s have dinner at the club.’

‘And Norena?’

‘She’ll be out. She’s out most evenings.’

‘Why not ask her to come with you?’

‘She won’t. She thinks the Club’s square.’

Joy lifted her shoulders. She knew she should press this, but she didn’t. She wanted to have Mel on his own.

‘She’s probably right. Then tomorrow at the Club. Don’t worry too much. It’ll work out. You’ll see.’

When she had gone, Mel sat for some moments thinking. He had always found Joy’s advice sound. Maybe if she had an occupation, Norena would be less hostile. He decided, after further thought, that it was worth a try.

A little after ten o’clock the following morning, Ticky Edris came out of the shower room, wrapping himself in his dressing gown. He trotted into the kitchenette and plugged in the coffee percolator, then he went to the front door to collect the milk and papers. He paused as the elevator doors swished back and Phil Algir stepped out.

‘Hi, buddy-boy,’ he said and picked up the milk. ‘You’re early. Want to see me?’

Immaculately dressed as usual, Algir pushed past him into the apartment. There was a bad-tempered scowl on his face and Edris could see he was working himself into a rage.

‘Who else do you imagine I want to see?’ Algir demanded, throwing his hat on a chair.

Edris shut the front door and trotted into the living room.

‘Have some coffee? It’s just made.’

‘Stuff it!’ Algir snarled and sat down. He took out a pack of cigarettes and lit a cigarette with an unsteady hand.

‘Something wrong?’

‘How much longer do you imagine I can go on like this?’ Algir demanded, sitting forward and staring at Edris, his pale eyes glittering.

‘I’ll be right back,’ Edris said calmly and trotted into the kitchenette. He returned after a few moments with the coffee things which he set on the table. He sat down and began pouring coffee into his cup.

‘What’s this bitch doing? Algir snarled.

‘She’s getting established,’ Edris returned, sipping his coffee. ‘What’s eating you, Phil?’

‘I’m skint. It’s all very well for you, you’ve got a job. I can’t stick around here forever without money. Just when do we start operating?’

‘Now look,’ Edris said, his voice sharpening. ‘I warned you this couldn’t be rushed, didn’t I? We make one false move and the whole thing blows up.’ He leaned forward and tapped the table with his stumpy finger. ‘I’ve been dreaming and planning this job now for five years. I’ll wait two more years if I have to to get this thing perfect. She’s got to get into the bank. She’s working on it. That girl’s smart! She’s handling it dead right. The whole trick of this is for her to get in there and become part of the bank’s background. Do you expect that to happen in a couple of days? If she doesn’t become part of the bank’s background, we can’t pull the job. It’s as simple as that. Once she’s in and she’s found out their system, then we start, but not before.’

‘This could take months! What am I going to do for eating money? You’ve got to give me some dough, Ticky! The hotel is pressing me.’

‘I gave you two hundred bucks last week.’ Edris’ face hardened. ‘Do you imagine I’m made of money?’

‘I want another two hundred bucks. You’ll get it back after we’ve pulled the job.’

‘You’ll get a hundred and not a dime more, and you’ll make it last at least two weeks,’ Edris said. He went to his bureau drawer and opened it.

Moving swiftly, Algir got up, crossed the room, gave Edris a hard shove that sent him reeling and dipped into the drawer. He took out a bundle of twenty dollar bills.

‘I’ll help myself, Ticky,’ he said, grinning. ‘You’ll get it back.’

Edris recovered his balance. His face had gone white. His small eyes were like flat bits of black glass. He backed away as Algir counted out three hundred dollars.

‘I’ll make it three,’ Algir said, grinning. ‘That’ll leave you a hundred. That’s enough for you, Ticky. A little guy like you hasn’t the expenses a big guy like me has.’

Ticky was now leaning against his miniature desk. He slid open a drawer and took from it a tiny pistol with a rubber bulb in place of a butt.

‘Put it back!’ he said in a soft, hissing voice. ‘Every damn dollar, Algir! Unless you want a squirt of ammonia in your face!’

Algir stared at the pointing gun, and then looked into Edris’ eyes. He stood there motionless, the money in his hands, his lips moving, as he silently cursed Edris.

‘Put it back!’ Edris repeated.

Algir threw the money into the drawer and moved away.

‘Okay, you stinking freak,’ he snarled, ‘keep your money!’

‘I’m going to,’ Edris said and dropped the pistol into his pocket. ‘Don’t try tricks with me, Philly-boy. I know how to look after myself.’ He went to the drawer, counted out a hundred dollars and tossed the roll on the table.

‘That’s all you’re going to get, make it last!’

The front door bell rang as Algir picked up the money.

Edris shut the bureau drawer, turned the key and put the key in his pocket, then he bounced into the hall and opened the door.

Ira Marsh stood in the corridor. She was wearing a man’s shirt, the tails worn outside her dark blue jeans. There was an expression of excitement in her blue eyes as she came into the apartment.

Algir glared at her.

‘What’s happening?’ he demanded. ‘How much longer are you fooling around doing nothing?’

She ignored him. Crossing over to the coffee things, she poured a cup of coffee, then she smiled at Edris as she said, ‘I start work at the bank tomorrow.’

Edris lost colour.

‘You wouldn’t kid about a thing as important as that?’ he asked huskily.

‘I start work at the bank tomorrow.’

Edris took in a deep breath and suddenly grinned. He clapped his hands together and threw back his head and let out a piercing yell. He sprang up onto his desk, and from the desk, he took a flying leap onto the table and then back onto the floor. He began running round the room as if he were demented, screaming, ‘Yipeeeee! Yipeeeee!’ until Algir, grinning with excitement, grabbed hold of him and threw him into an armchair.

‘Shut up, you crazy bastard,’ he said. ‘You’ll have the cops up here.’

Edris, panting, grinned at Algir, his little eyes sparkling.

‘I told you, didn’t I? I told you she was smart! I told you she was right for the job.’ He sprang up and grabbed Ira around her waist and waltzed her round and round the room. Algir, still grinning, got out of their way. Finally, exhausted, they fell onto the settee. Framing Ira’s face with his stumpy hands, Edris bestowed a smacking kiss on her forehead.

Giggling, she shoved him away and sat up.

‘You beautiful doll!’ Edris exclaimed, sitting on the floor and gazing up at her. ‘So you’ve done it! Tell me. How did you fix it so fast?’

‘It was easy. Poor Papa has a lovesick spinster chasing him,’ Ira explained. ‘He takes his troubles to her. After I had spent nearly two weeks in a mood, playing pop records and being thoroughly bloody minded, poor Papa begins to worry. So he calls in the spinster, and believe it or not, she said just what I knew she would say.’ Ira jumped to her feet and pointed dramatically at Edris. ‘That girl needs occupation. Put her to work in the bank, ol’ pal, ol’ pal. That’s what the girl needs: occupation and companions of her own age. Papa fell for it. He said if I really wanted to work in the bank, he would fix it. If it would make me happy, I could start tomorrow.’ She made a grimace, distorting her face. ‘Work! Why do these squares always harp on work?’

Edris howled with laughter.

‘But it will make you happy, baby! You’ll be close to all that beautiful money! Oh, doll, how I wish I were you! Think of it! Nine to six every day surrounded by billions and billions of lovely, crinkly money!’ He sprang to his feet and rushed at her, throwing his stumpy arms around her waist, he pushed his face against her breasts. ‘Baby, I love you like I love myself,’ he crooned.

Ira shoved him away so violently, he lost his balance and sprawled on the floor.

‘Keep your hands to yourself!’ she snapped. ‘And keep your distance!’

He blinked up at her, then forcing a rueful grin, he got slowly to his feet.

‘I didn’t mean anything, baby,’ he said, going to his armchair and sitting down. His fall had shaken him a little. ‘I was only fooling. It’s just my way.’

‘Well, it’s not mine!’ Ira snapped and flopped onto the settee.

Algir watched all this, a sneering expression on his face.

‘When you two have done messing each other around,’ he said, ‘suppose we talk business?’

‘Did Devon say in which department of the bank you’d be in?’ Edris asked.

She shook her head.

‘I have an interview with the Staff Manager tomorrow morning. He’s the guy who says where I’m to work.’

‘Don’t forget to tell him you can handle adding machines,’ Edris said. ‘I want you in the accounts department.’ He leaned forward. ‘What we have to find out before we can make a move is where the dead safes are.’

‘What do you mean. dead safes?’

‘Safes that are not used over a long period. There are plenty of them in the bank. I’ve heard people talking in the restaurant about them. These Texas oilmen rent a safe when they come here on vacation, stuff it with money, then go back home and leave the money in the safe until they come back for another vacation. Once you get the run of the accounts department, you’ll be able to find out the numbers of these safes. They’re the ones we want to get at.’

‘You’re crazy!’ Algir put in angrily. ‘Even if we know the numbers, we can never get at them. That’s the safest bank in the world! They have a twenty-four hour guard and it’s crawling with alarms!’

‘Who said anything about getting near them?’ Edris said, grinning. ‘You’ll hear all the details of my plan when I’m ready. This is an operation that works in carefully planned steps. First step: to get her into the bank. She’s in tomorrow. Second step: to find the dead safes. Third step: to find out their system of renting a safe, about the keys and the guards. Step by step, it’s the only way to swing this job.’

‘She could take weeks to find out all that,’ Algir said, looking worried.

‘These things do take time,’ Edris said airily. ‘But even if it takes a year it will be worth the wait.’

Algir started to say something, then seeing Ira was watching him with cool, disconcerting eyes, he got to his feet and made for the door.

‘When do I go into action?’ he demanded, pausing at the door.

‘Could be the fourth step,’ Edris said. ‘Be patient, Phil. The pay-off will be beautiful.’

Algir glared at him, hesitated, then went out, slamming the door.

‘What’s biting him then?’ Ira asked.

Edris shrugged.

‘He’s never happy if he isn’t spending money. Right now, he hasn’t any money to spend.’

‘Just where does he come in on this?’

‘You’ll see. He’s as essential to the plan as you are, but in a different way. How are you making out with Devon?’

She shrugged indifferently.

‘I keep out of his way as much as I can.’ She leaned back against the settee. ‘I didn’t think it would be so damned dull living in a rich man’s house. I hope this isn’t going to last too long. I’m crazy with boredom.’

Edris studied her, his eyes suddenly hard.

‘You can’t expect to pick up fifty thousand bucks without working for it. What’s the matter with you? You’ve got clothes, a car, a fine home, money. What more do you want?’

‘I know all that. I just get bored. that’s all.’

‘Okay, get bored. It’s better to be bored than hungry, dirty and skint. Just remember that. And listen, Ira, watch it! Don’t start looking around for your kind of fun. You step out of character and you’ll be fired out of the bank faster than a sputnik. That bank’s as respectable as a church. If you weren’t the daughter of Melville Devon you would never have got in. And don’t kid yourself. They’ve checked on your school record. Norena’s record. She worked damn hard and was as respectable as a nun. She was just the kind of creep they want in the bank, and remember, you are her now. You get drunk, fool with boys, get laid and they find out. Bingo! We’re all out of business.’ He sat forward, his face puffy with congested blood. ‘If we come unstuck because you can’t be bored for a few weeks, the newspapers won’t dare print the details of the things I’ll do to you!’

She sat motionless, looking into the vicious eyes that glared into hers, then she got to her feet.

‘Don’t threaten me, Pint-size,’ she said, with arrogant contempt. ‘There are things I could do to you the newspapers wouldn’t print either.’

Edris suddenly laughed.

‘Baby, you have loads of guts. I love you, but remember what I’ve said: be bored and be careful.’

‘Don’t expect to see much of me after today,’ she said, moving to the door. ‘I’m a working girl now. When I have something for you I’ll call. So long, Ticky,’ and she let herself out of the apartment, closing the door softly after her.

A little after ten o’clock on Sunday morning, Mel Devon pulled up outside Judge Ansley’s house and tapped the horn button of his Mercedes convertible.

Joy, who had been awaiting his signal, came down the steps of the house and opened the gate. She was wearing a black sweater and white slacks and carried a beach bag.

Mel slid out of the car and came around to open the car door for her.

‘Hello there. You all ready?’

‘Yes, I’m ready.’ She looked at him, smiling. She was relieved to see how fit and well he looked. The worried, harassed expression he had been wearing last time she had seen him had vanished. For the moment, anyway, he obviously had nothing on his mind to worry him. ‘Lovely to see you again.’

‘You too,’ he said, helping her into the car. ‘How’s the Judge?’

‘He’s fine. He hopes you’ll have lunch with us.’

‘Why, sure, I’d like to. Norena’s spending the day at the Club.’ He looked at her, smiling. ‘You know, Joy, I don’t know what I’d do without you. The way you solve my problems is nobody’s business. I may be a smart banker, but when it comes to running my private life, I don’t seem able to cope without you.’

She looked away.

‘I don’t know, Mel. I think you are quite capable of looking after yourself, but it’s nice to hear I am useful sometimes.’

He patted her hand. They were now driving along the promenade towards Paradise Bay where Mel had a beach cabin.

‘Thanks to you, Norena no longer presents a problem. You were absolutely right about her needing occupation. Since she’s been working at the bank, she’s a different girl.’

‘I’m so pleased! How long has she been there now?’

‘Must be a couple of weeks. yes, she started Monday, two weeks ago.’ He frowned, then looked quickly at her. ‘How time rushes by! That means I haven’t seen you for two weeks, Joy, that’s too long.’

‘I’ve missed you,’ Joy said quietly. He had no need to remind her how long it had been. Every day she had been hopefully expecting him to call her. ‘You must be pretty occupied.’

‘I’ll say.’ He laughed. ‘I’ve been showing Norena the town. We’ve been here, there and everywhere. Cinemas, theatres, jam sessions, the lot!’

Joy stared in front of her.

‘So you’re getting along with Norena now?’

‘Well, I suppose so.’ His face clouded a little. ‘Frankly, I think it would be a lot better for both of us if she could find friends of her own age to go around with. She makes me feel damned old. I guess she now regards me as harmless and convenient. I get the idea she puts up with me because there is no one else. That’s why I insisted on her joining the Bank’s Club. She didn’t want to at first, but I’ve finally persuaded her. Now, she plans to spend the weekends there.’

Joy relaxed a little.

‘Is she making friends?’

‘I guess so. I don’t think youngsters like being questioned too much. I’ve told her she can bring anyone she likes back to the house, but she hasn’t so far. At least, I feel I have broken the ice, but she certainly isn’t what you could call affectionate.’

‘You mustn’t expect too much at once.’

‘I keep telling myself that, but I have an idea, she hasn’t any affection in her make-up. She seems wrapped in ice.’ He shrugged. ‘Still, it may work out. At least, I can live with her without worrying too much and we talk a lot. Some of her ideas are pretty hair raising. Things slip out. It’s just talk, of course, because when I tackle her, she beats a retreat. It’s just being young, I guess.’

‘What kind of things?’

‘Standards of living, I guess. I’m afraid her mother influenced her. She has a pretty amoral outlook on life. It’s damn odd because Dr. Graham gave her a wonderful buildup when Crawsure talked to him. She either fooled him or else she’s had a sudden change.’

‘I still don’t quite know what you mean, Mel.’

‘It’s a bit too involved to go into now. Things pop out. Sometimes when she is reading the newspaper, she passes an opinion. Some fella rescued a kid from a blazing car and later died of burns. She called him a sucker. Some old lady had her savings stolen. Norena said if she couldn’t take care of her money at that age, she deserved to lose it. You remember that big jewel robbery last week? She called the thieves smart. She meant it too. That’s only the fringe of it. It’s often cropping up. I really do think she’s amoral.’

‘Oh, now, Mel, you mustn’t say that. The young talk that way these days. It’s their method of expressing themselves. It’s smart to be hard, cynical and unsympathetic. It probably amuses her to shock you.’

‘You may be right. I expect all that from other kids, but not my own.’

‘As Dr. Graham has given her such a glowing report, I’d ignore what she says. She probably thinks she has to hold her end up with her clever father. How is she getting on at the bank?’

‘Nothing wrong there.’ Mel’s face brightened. ‘She’s made a big hit with Crawsure. He didn’t want to have her and he damned well wouldn’t have had her if she hadn’t been my daughter. As it was, he talked to Dr. Graham before he would give her an interview. She seems to have talent for figures. She’s working in the accounts department and Crawsure says she’s doing a real job of work.’

‘Well, that’s wonderful.’

‘Takes after me,’ Mel said with a grin. ‘She is really interested in how the bank operates. I wouldn’t have believed it. She’s always asking questions. and good questions too. Only last night, she challenged our right to call ourselves the ‘Safest Bank in the World.’ She had to agree, after I had explained our security system, that it was no idle boast. The interest she’s showing could develop into her making a career for herself in the bank.’

‘Don’t you believe it. She’ll fall in love,’ Joy said, ‘then your old bank will mean as much to her as it does to me.’

Mel laughed.

‘Yes you’re right as usual.’

‘Does she see the dwarf now?’

‘No, I’m glad to say. She’s too busy to get over to Seacombe. I’m sure she doesn’t miss him. Now she has a home, the bank and the Club, she’s forgotten him.’

He would have been disagreeably surprised if he could have seen Ira at that moment. She was parking her T.R.4 outside Ticky Edris’ apartment block, and a few minutes after leaving her car, she was ringing on his front door bell. Edris came bouncing to open the door and when he saw her, he stood aside to let her in. There was no welcoming smile on his face.

He had had a bad two weeks. Algir had been again worrying him for money, and he was getting alarmed at the rate his savings were dwindling. If Algir wasn’t cast to play such an important role in the plan, Edris would have got rid of him, but this he knew was now impossible and there seemed nothing he could say or do to curb Algir’s extravagances.

He had had no word from Ira during these weeks.

Several times he had been tempted to telephone her, but he remembered she had said she would call him when she had something for him, and although urged by Algir to contact her, he had refrained from doing so. He had faith in her. He knew she couldn’t rush this thing.

‘I was beginning to worry about you, baby,’ he said as he followed her into his living room. ‘I hoped to have heard from you before this.’

Algir came in from the bedroom. He had spent the night with Edris as he was having trouble at his hotel over his bill.

‘Well, about time!’ he exclaimed when he saw Ira. ‘What’s been happening? We’ve been waiting two goddamn weeks for you to get up off your arse and do something! It’s fine for you, living rich, but how’s about me? What’s been happening?’

‘Knock it off!’ Edris snapped. ‘Sit down, Ira. You got something?’

She wandered over to a lounging chair and sat down.

For a long moment, she stared at Algir, then with a contemptuous grimace, she looked at Edris.

‘If this birdbrain doesn’t stop picking on me,’ she said, ‘I’ll walk right out of here. I mean it! Just because the slob can’t keep his money in his pockets doesn’t mean he can lean his weight on me!’

Algir started to say something, but Edris cut in, ‘I said knock it off! Leave her alone!’ To Ira, he went on, ‘Okay, baby, don’t worry about him. How’s it been going?’

‘I have most of the dope you want. It hasn’t been easy and I’ve had to watch my step, but I’ve got it.’ She opened her handbag and took out a folded sheet of paper. ‘How’s that for a start?’

Edris took the paper from her. He unfolded and examined it. After a few moments, he asked, ‘The dead safes?’

‘Some of them. There are others, but these are rented by the big spenders. There’s no record of what the safes contain. The clients open the safes themselves and the bank isn’t responsible for their contents, but judging by the size of their drawings, they should be loaded,’ Ira said. ‘I’ve found out there are five Texas oilmen due to leave at the end of the week. They’ve been winning thousands of dollars at the Casino. It’s an even bet they’ll leave their winnings in their safes before returning to Texas. You’ll find the numbers of the five safes in the second column.’

‘What’s the good of having the numbers of the damned safes?’ Algir snarled. ‘We want what’s in the safes!’

Neither Ira nor Edris paid any attention to him.

‘This is fine, baby,’ Edris said. ‘Now we want to find out how the security system works.’

‘I’ve found that out.’ Ira opened her bag and took out a pack of cigarettes. She lit a cigarette, then went on, ‘I talked to Papa. He thinks I’m a career girl. He told me how the system works and if he doesn’t know, then no one does.’

Edris leaned forward, his little eyes sparkling.

‘How does it work?’

‘I’ll tell you this much: you don’t stand a prayer bursting into the bank at night. There are six armed guards and each of them has been screened. They are picked men and it would be like handling dynamite to try and get at them. They are on constant patrol with dogs all during the night. The safes are below the bank in a vault lined with three inch steel and backed with four foot concrete walls. At closing time, the vaults are flooded. The water is drained out by a timing clock device at 06.00 hours and dried out by heater fans. So you can skip any idea of breaking into the vaults during the night.’

Algir savagely ground his cigarette into the ashtray.

‘I told you all along it was crazy even to think of getting at those safes!’ he snarled at Edris. ‘We’re just damn well wasting our time.’

‘Wrap up!’ Edris said, not looking at him. ‘How about during the day, baby?’

‘Still too tough. There are twelve guards patrolling. The grill to the vaults is kept locked and guarded by two guards with automatic rifles. They look big and tough enough to scare an army. The place is crawling with alarms. Papa said if twenty men went into the bank with smoke bombs and guns, they wouldn’t stand a hope. There’s a guard in a bulletproof glass tower who checks everyone in. You can’t get near him. If anything should start, he presses a button that closes and locks all the exits. The vaults are flooded and the cop house is alerted. So a bust in during office hours is strictly for the birds.’

Edris chuckled and rubbed his stumpy hands together.

‘They’ve certainly thought of everything, haven’t they, baby? Now, tell me something. Who does go into the vaults?’

‘The clients.’

‘No one else?’

Ira smiled.

‘Now you’re getting warm. Yes, there’s someone else. There’s a receptionist who takes the clients to their safes.’

Edris nodded.

‘I’ve heard about her. You met her yet?’

‘I’ve met her. Her name’s Doris Kirby. She’s thirty-three and she’s been doing the job now for eight years. You could no more get to her than you could get to a bishop.’

‘Know where she lives, baby?’

‘No, but I can find out.’

Edris nodded.

‘You find out, baby, as soon as you can. Phone me the address. It’s as urgent as that.’

‘Okay.’

‘Just what does she do, baby? Do you know that?’

‘Imagine you’re a client,’ Ira settled further into the cushions of the settee, ‘and you want to rent a safe. You go to the bank and you fill in a form. Name, address and telephone number; how long and how often you want to use the safe. You are given a key. If you lose it, the lock has to be forced: there are no duplicates. Each safe has two locks. You have one key and the bank has a pass key to the other lock. The safes can’t be opened unless both keys are used. The Kirby girl takes care of the pass key which she gives to the guard when she leaves. When you want to use the safe, you go to the guard at the grill. You show him your key which is numbered. He checks the number which tells him your name and address. He also has a photograph of you. Each key has its own password. You give him that and if he is then satisfied, he lets you go beyond the grill. At the foot of the stairs, the Kirby girl is sitting at a desk. You give her your number and she takes you to your safe. She unlocks the first lock with the pass key and then leaves you if you are likely to be long. You unlock the second lock with your key, put in or take out your money, and then ring a bell. Kirby comes back, locks her lock and takes you to the grill. That’s how it works and that’s what she does.’

Edris grinned evilly.

‘Fine, baby, fine, fine! I thought it would take you at least a month to come up with all that dope. You’re smart and I love you!’

‘You think all that crap’s fine?’ Algir exploded. ‘Okay, you tell me how we get at the money in those safes! I don’t give a damn about their system. How do we get at the money?’

‘Phil, buddy-boy, this is where you start doing some work. You’ve been bellyaching about this long wait, now the wait’s over. Your first job is to get little Miss Kirby out of the way. Nothing drastic. She’s to go on sick leave for at least a week. Can you fix that?’

Algir looked startled.

‘Well, go on why do we want her out of the way?’

‘Because, baby here is going to take her place. Aren’t you, baby doll?’

‘That’s the idea,’ Ira said, ‘but Crawsure’s got the last word on that.’

‘No, he hasn’t,’ Edris said, grinning. ‘Your Papa has baby, and he’s the big shot in the bank. You’ll tell Papa you want the chance to get to know some of his important clients. He’ll fall for that line especially if you point out Kirby won’t be away for long and the short experience will do you good. Explain that to Papa, and I bet you won’t have any trouble.’

Algir was now showing interest.

‘She takes an impression of the pass key? That’s it, isn’t it?’ he said, sitting forward.

‘She takes an impression not only of the pass key but of the client’s keys as well, especially those five Texans’ keys.’

‘How does she do that? Just now she said the clients kept their keys. How does she get hold of them?’

‘She sexes the keys out of them,’ Edris said. Simpering, he held out his stumpy hand, ‘If you will give me your key, Mr. Clunkerhead, I will be happy to open the safe for you.’

‘These Texans are hardboiled. Maybe they’ll tell her to go to hell.’

‘Would you tell a girl as pretty as this one to go to hell Phil?’

Algir regarded Ira critically. She put out her tongue at him.

‘Yeah, maybe you have something. What will she use?’

‘A little putty held in her left hand. You’re the boy who will cut the keys. You’d better talk it over with her, show her what you want.’

‘Those keys could be tricky to cut,’ Algir said. ‘Depends on how complicated the locks are.’

‘Why should they be all that complicated with a security system as good as they have? I’ll bet they are just locks and just keys. Anyway, you’ll know tomorrow. You’ll have one of the keys for yourself.’

Algir put his head on one side.

‘How come?’

‘Tomorrow, you are going to the bank and you’re renting a safe. You’ll take with you a fat, sealed envelope full of cut newspapers. This, you will explain, is your gambling money. You want to draw money out and pay money in every day. You’ll meet Doris Kirby. You’ll take a good look at her so you’ll know her again. You’ll leave the envelope in your safe and you’ll take away the key. You’ll then be able to decide how complicated it will be to cut keys of the same pattern. In the evening, you’ll arrange for Miss Kirby to fall ill, have an accident, get a bellyache or whatever it is you decide on to get her out of the way. But remember one thing: she holds an important position in the bank. If anything odd happens to her, the security people may smell a rat, and the cops must be kept out. So watch it, Phil.’

Algir scowled down at the floor.

‘How about a little nudge with my car?’ he asked finally.

‘Hit and run,’ Edris said gently. ‘That’s police business.’

‘Does she live alone?’

‘Yes,’ Ira said. ‘She has a top-floor apartment. She did tell me that.’

‘If it’s a walk-up, a string across the top of the stairs would do it,’ Algir said. ‘That okay? She just breaks a leg?’

‘Fine, so long as she doesn’t break her neck,’ Edris said. ‘We don’t want the cops in on this.’

‘Get me the address,’ Algir said to Ira. ‘I’ll look the place over as soon as you get the address to me.’

Ira nodded, then glancing at her watch, she got to her feet.

‘Is there anything else, Ticky? I’m supposed to be at the club. Papa might telephone. If he finds out I’m not there, he’ll start wondering.’

‘That’s all for now, baby. You’re doing fine. I mean it. Just keep going like this and you’ll soon have real money to burn and I mean real money.’

‘You don’t imagine I’m doing this for kicks, do you?’ She moved to the door. ‘So long, Ticky.’ To Algir, she said, ‘Let’s see your speed, birdbrain. It’s time you did something to earn your living,’ and she went out.

‘I’d like to get that little bitch all to myself,’ Algir said, his face congested. ‘I’d like to hear her squeal before I took her apart.’

Edris giggled.

‘You will, Philly-boy. Have patience. She’s far too young to have so much money.’

‘I still don’t get this,’ Algir said, lighting a cigarette. ‘Why do I need to rent a safe?’

‘Oh, for Pete’s sake! Use your brains, buddy-boy. It’ll be Ira’s job to take the money from the other safes and put it in your safe. You’ll call every day and collect the money which the bank will imagine belongs to you. How else do you think we can get the money out of the vaults? Can’t you see how simple it is once we have the duplicate keys and Ira working for us? She will have the run of the vaults for as long as Kirby is away. She will keep feeding your safe with money from the safes she is able to open. They will be dead safes, so it will be months before they find out there’s anything missing, and by then, we’ll be miles away.’

Algir sat motionless, gaping at him.

‘Judas!’ he said finally in an awe-stricken voice.

‘Sweet, isn’t it?’ Edris hugged himself. ‘And there are millions of dollars to be lifted. It’s the sweetest, loveliest take ever thought of.’ Throwing back his head, he yelled, ‘Yipeee!’ with all the force of his lungs.