You're Dead Without Money

Three

The following morning, Barney told me, Elliot sat on his patio in the sun waiting with impatience for Louis de Marney to complete the inventory of his possessions.

Finally, Louis came out on to the patio and Elliot, controlling his eagerness to know the verdict, offered him a drink.

‘Absolutely not, thank you. No drinks... no starch! I would never keep my figure if I relaxed for a moment.’ Louis eyed Elliot. ‘Yet you keep in beautiful form.’

Elliot, naked to the waist, wearing a pair of slacks, socks and sandals, shrugged. He hated wearing socks, but without them the glitter of his tin foot in the sun depressed him.

‘I guess I’m okay. Sit down.’ He paused, then went on. ‘Well, what’s the verdict?’

‘You have some very nice things, Mr. Elliot,’ Louis said, sitting down, ‘a little specialized, but very nice.’

‘I know what I’ve got,’ Elliot said impatiently. ‘What I want to know is what the lot’s worth.’

‘Of course.’ Louis waved his hands. ‘I can’t give you a definite figure, Mr. Elliot You understand I will have to consult Claude, but I’d say around seventy-five thousand.’

Elliot stiffened and flushed. He hadn’t expected Louis to be generous but this figure was daylight robbery.

‘Are you kidding?’ he demanded angrily. ‘That’s less than a quarter of what I originally paid!’

Louis looked sad.

‘It does sound dreadful, doesn’t it? Right now, Mr. Elliot, it just isn’t a buyer’s market. If you could wait...’ He chewed his under lip, frowning while he appeared to think. ‘Claude might agree to take the jade and the Chagall on a commission basis and display them in the gallery. That way you could get a better price, but it would, of course, take time.’

‘How much better?’

‘That I can’t tell you. Claude would have to decide the price.’

‘How long would I have to wait... two or three months?’

Louis shook his head. He looked as if he could burst into tears.

‘Oh no, Mr. Elliot, it could be as long as two years. You see jade... but I’m sure jade will come back into fashion and again fetch high prices, but not for a year or two.’

Elliot thumped his knee with his fist.

‘I can’t wait that long! Claude can afford to wait! Talk to him Louis. Tell him he can have the jade and the Chagall but I want immediate cash and a decent price... not a crappy offer of seventy-five thousand!’

Louis studied his beautifully manicured fingernails.

‘Of course I will talk to him.’ A pause, then he went on, ‘Claude did mention to me that you wanted quick cash, Mr. Elliot All this is strictly between you, Claude and myself. We could offer you an interesting proposition since you need money badly. This would be interesting money: something like two hundred thousand. That, plus seventy-five for your things would give you a sum that would make life much happier for you.’

Elliot stared at him.

‘Two hundred thousand?’ He sat up. ‘What is this interesting proposition?’

‘You are a friend of Mr. Larrimore, the philatelist?’

Elliot’s eyes narrowed.

‘Is this proposition to do with Larrimore?’

Louis looked at Elliot, then the little eyes shifted.

‘That’s right’

‘Claude and I have already talked about Larrimore. I told him he hadn’t a hope.’

‘Claude’s thinking has developed further since you talked to him,’ Louis said like a man feeling his way across thin ice. ‘He is now ready to offer you two hundred thousand for your cooperation.’

Elliot drew in a deep breath. He thought what this kind of money could mean to him in his present situation.

‘My co-operation? Look, Louis, will you stop talking like a goddamn politician and explain what you’re getting at?’

‘Mr. Larrimore has some specialized Russian stamps,’ Louis said shifting his eyes back to his fingernails. ‘Claude has a client who wants to buy them. We have already written to Mr. Larrimore offering to buy these stamps, but he ignores our letters. If you could get these stamps for us, Claude would pay you a commission of two hundred thousand.’

‘For God’s sake! How much are they worth?’

‘To you or to me... very little, but to a keen collector a great deal.’

‘How much?’

‘I don’t think we need go into that, Mr. Elliot.’ Louis gave Elliot a foxy smile. ‘The point we are discussing is that these stamps if you can get them would be worth two hundred thousand to you.’

Elliot sat back. This could be the way to solve his present problems, he thought, but could he persuade Larrimore to sell?

‘If I’m going to talk to Larrimore I must have a figure,’ he said. ‘That’s obvious, isn’t it? I have to tell him the sum your man wants to pay. How else can I persuade him to sell?’

Louis ran his fingers through his sable tinted hair.

‘I don’t think you would get anywhere with Mr. Larrimore whatever sum you offered. Our client has already written to him and Mr. Larrimore won’t sell. No, approaching Mr. Larrimore would only end in disaster.’

Elliot frowned.

‘So just what are you getting at?’

Louis again studied his fingernails as if he found them fascinating.

‘We felt that as you are on friendly terms with Mr. Larrimore and have access to his house, you might see a way to get hold of these stamps. If you did, we would pay you immediately — two hundred thousand in cash.’ Louis got to his feet as Elliot stared at him as if he didn’t believe what he was hearing. ‘And, of course, there would be no questions asked.’

Elliot remained still for a long moment, then he said, a grating note in his voice, ‘Are you suggesting I should steal these stamps for Claude?’

Louis waved his hands, not looking at Elliot.

‘We’re not suggesting anything, Mr. Elliot You happen to have the opportunity of getting the stamps — how you get them is no business of ours — we will accept them from you, ask no questions and give you two hundred thousand dollars.’

Elliot got to his feet. The look in his eyes made Louis take a hurried step back.

‘Get out!’ The anger in Elliot’s voice made Louis retreat still further. ‘Tell Claude I don’t deal with crooks! I’ll find someone to buy my stuff! Tell him he’s seen the last of me!’

Louis lifted his shoulders in a resigned shrug.

‘I did warn him you might not go along with his thinking, but Claude is a complete optimist. No hard feelings, Mr. Elliot. Of course the offer stands should you change your mind.’

‘Get out!’

Louis sighed and turning, he weaved his way down the path that led to the car park. He drove back to the gallery and went immediately to Claude’s room.

‘The sonofabitch won’t play,’ he said as he shut the door. ‘He called you a crook and said he never wanted to see you again. I warned you, Claude. Now what are we going to do?’

Kendrick took off his wig and laid it on the desk while he thought.

‘It was a chance and it still could remain a good chance. I will bring a little pressure to bear on dear Don.’ He brooded, then opening his desk drawer he took from it a leather bound address book. ‘Who would you say is Elliot’s biggest creditor?’

‘Luce & Fremlin,’ Louis said promptly. ‘He has given every tramp he’s laid a piece of jewellery. The last one got a diamond and ruby ring that must have cost the earth.’

Kendrick consulted his book, then called Luce & Fremlin, the best and most expensive jewellers in the City.

He asked to be connected with Mr. Fremlin, the junior partner and a raving homosexual.

‘Sydney, my beautiful poinciana, this is your devoted Claude. How am I? Oh, pretty fair, struggling to make both ends meet.’ He giggled. ‘And you? So glad.’ A pause. ‘Sydney, a word in your ear. I don’t know if Don Elliot owes you anything... yes, the ex-movie star. He does? I thought he just might. I’m worried about him. He owes me too. I sent Louis to talk to him this morning. You know how tactful I am. Louis tried to get a cheque from him, but Elliot turned rather nasty. We get the impression here that he isn’t in the position to pay. Dreadful, isn’t it? Of course the poor fellow is now handicapped without his foot and without film work, but I did imagine he was financially sound. Does he owe you much?’ Claude listened, then lifted his eyebrows and released a soft whistle. ‘My poor darling! Fifty thousand! But that’s a fortune! I’m only in the hole for five.’ He listened again. ‘Well, I would act fast if I were you. I can’t imagine he is going to be worth much now. He hasn’t had a girl since he lost his foot. Terribly, terribly sad. I thought I would alert you. Yes, do let’s meet sometime. Bye now.’

As he hung up, Louis said, ‘That should get things moving.’

‘Poor Sydney... rather foolish, but I like him. Well, let’s not waste time. Elliot’s booze, catering and tailor’s bills must be impressive.’ Kendrick replaced his wig. ‘Perhaps a word in those dears’ ears might be a charitable act,’ and he reached again for the telephone receiver.

Toyo, Elliot’s chauffeur, met Winston Ackland at the Paradise City airport and drove him to Elliot’s villa. Ackland had arrived in his own light aircraft, flying from Miami at Elliot’s urgent request.

Ackland was short, fat and full of bustle. He was one of the leading antique and art experts in Miami with a flourishing gallery and was always on the lookout for a bargain. When Elliot had told him he had a Chagall he wanted to sell and a collection of jade, Ackland said he would be over that afternoon.

Elliot watched him as he examined the Chagall. The expression on Ackland’s fat face told him nothing. Finally Ackland turned away from the painting.

‘This could be an Errile Houry, but it is certainly not a Chagall,’ he said. ‘A nice fake. I hope it didn’t cost you too much, Mr. Elliot.’

‘A hundred thousand,’ Elliot said, his voice husky. ‘Are you sure it’s a fake?’

‘You can never be entirely sure, but that’s my opinion,’ Ackland said quietly. I suppose Kendrick sold it to you?’

‘Yes.’

‘Kendrick isn’t as good with this kind of art as he thinks he is,’ Ackland said ‘He could have been deceived. Even some of the top experts have been deceived by Houry, but I happen to specialize in Chagall and I’m sure this isn’t one of his... at least almost sure.’

Elliot felt cold sweat break out on his forehead.

‘And the jade... don’t tell me that’s a fake too.’

‘Oh no. That’s a very nice collection. I would offer you twenty thousand for it.’

‘Can you give me anything for the Chagall?’

Ackland shook his head.

‘I don’t want it. It’s a painting that could get any dealer into trouble.’

‘And the rest?’

‘Nothing impressive, but if you want to get rid of all the paintings, I would offer ten thousand I’m sorry to offer so little, but these paintings are just decorations... they have no value.’

Elliot hesitated, then shrugged.

‘Okay... give me a note for thirty thousand to be paid in cash and the stuff’s yours.’

Ackland gave him the note. When he had gone, Elliot did some thinking. Maybe, he thought, Claude didn’t know the Chagall was a fake. He hesitated for a long moment, then he rang Kendrick’s gallery.

Louis answered.

‘Give me Claude,’ Elliot said.

‘It’s Mr. Elliot?’

‘Yeah.’

‘A tiny moment.’

Then Kendrick came on the line.

‘If you want the Chagall you can have it,’ Elliot said ‘My dear boy... what a nice surprise. From what Louis told me you were cross with me,’ Kendrick said, startled to get this call.

‘Never mind that. What will you give me for the Chagall before I offer it to Winston Ackland?’

‘Ackland? You mustn’t do that, dear boy! He would give you absolutely nothing! He’d probably tell you it’s a fake. Ackland is really rather horrid.’

‘What do you offer?’

‘I would rather take it on commission, dear Don. I could get you...’

‘I want cash... remember? How much?’

‘Thirty thousand.’

‘I paid a hundred thousand.’

‘I know, but these are dreadful times.’

‘You can have it for forty-five: immediate cash.’

‘Forty, my dear boy. That’s absolute top.’

‘Send Louis with your note to be paid in cash and he can take it away,’ Elliot said and hung up.

Kendrick replaced the receiver and beamed at Louis.

‘The poor stupid dear has sold us the Chagall for forty. Imagine! That silly Mrs. Van Johnson is aching for a Chagall. If I don’t get a hundred thousand out of her, I’ll eat my wig!’

‘Watch it, Claude,’ Louis said. ‘If she has it checked...’

‘Of course she won’t have it checked as Elliot didn’t have it checked.’ Kendrick sat back, his fat face wreathed in smiles. ‘My word is their guarantee.’

By 15.00 that afternoon, Elliot had seventy thousand dollars in cash. He had cashed Ackland’s note and Kendrick’s note at another bank, not his own. He knew if he had tried to cash these notes at his own bank the dreary question of his overdraft would have come up.

As he locked the money away in his desk drawer, he felt he had gained breathing space. He could pay his staff and use the rest of the money to continue his way of life for a few more months. For the first time in weeks, he felt relaxed.

Then the telephone bell rang.

Frowning, Elliot snatched up the receiver. The caller was Larry Kaufman, the Rolls Royce agent.

‘Mr. Elliot?’ Kaufman’s voice sounded sharp and hostile. ‘I’m asking you to settle for the Rolls. My people are pressing me. You’ve had the car over two months now. They’re insisting on immediate settlement.’

Elliot hesitated, but only for a moment He still had the Alfa which was paid for and he would be out of his mind to part with thirty thousand no matter how much he loved the Rolls. He knew he must now hang on to every dollar he could lay his hands on.

‘You can take it back, Larry. I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want it.’

‘You don’t want it?’ Kaufman’s voice shot up.

‘That’s what I said.’

‘I can’t take it back just like that... damn it! It’s a second hand car now!’

‘Well, okay, so take it back as a second hand car. What am I bid?’

‘You’re sure you want to do this, Mr. Elliot?’

‘What am I bid?’

‘I’ll give you an honest deal as I can sell the car the moment I have it. Suppose you owe me three thousand?’

‘You think that’s honest.’

‘It is honest and you know it, Mr. Elliot.’

‘Okay... okay. Come and get it. I’ll have a cheque ready for you.’

Elliot tried to be indifferent about this, but it gave him a pang to see Kaufman drive the Rolls away with a cheque for three thousand in his pocket. Elliot wondered if the cheque would bounce. He hoped his bank manager would extend his overdraft. Anyway, he thought, it was worth a try.

After lunch, as he was settling down on the patio for a nap, his bank manager called.

‘Don... Kaufman has just been in and presented your cheque for three thousand. I’ve honoured it because you and I are good friends, but this is the last time. You have to do something about this overdraft. No more cheques, Don. Understand?’

‘Sure... sure... I’ll sell some stock,’ Elliot said glibly. ‘By the end of the week I’ll have fixed it.’

The wolves were closing in, he thought. Well, at least he had seventy thousand in cash in his desk drawer. It might be an idea to get in the Alfa and go to Hollywood, stay at a motel for a couple of weeks and let his debts take care of themselves. The more he thought about this, the better he liked the idea, but this wasn’t his day. As he got up with the intention of packing a bag and getting out, his majordomo came out on to the patio.

‘There’s a gentleman...’

A tall, hard faced man, carrying a briefcase, stepped around the majordomo and came up to Elliot.

‘I’m Stan Jerrold, Mr. Elliot.’ He paused until the majordomo had left them, then went on. ‘I’ve been briefed by Luce & Fremlin and Handcock & Ellison to collect two outstanding debts. I’ve been instructed to issue you with a summons to be returned at the Courthouse at the end of the month if I don’t get a certified cheque right now.’

‘Is that right?’ Elliot forced a grin. Once a summons was issued all the wolves would rush in. ‘How much is it for?’

‘Sixty-one thousand dollars.’

This jolted Elliot but he managed to retain his grin.

‘As much as that?’ He knew he couldn’t afford to be served with a summons. ‘I’ll give you cash.’

Ten minutes later, Jerrold left, his briefcase bulging and Elliot’s cash assets had abruptly shrunk to nine thousand dollars.

He lit a cigarette and leaning back in his desk chair, he considered his future. It looked bleaker than ever before. He knew the word would get around that he was paying his debts. In a day or so his other creditors would come knocking on his door. It was time to get out and get out fast. He would drive to Hollywood and when his nine thousand dollars had run out, he would take enough sleeping pills to make headlines for the last time.

Going into his bedroom, he packed a suitcase, selecting the best of his wardrobe, conscious that none of the clothes he was putting into the suitcase had been paid for. He included a bottle of Scotch and a carton of two hundred cigarettes.

He took three hundred dollars from his diminishing roll and went in search of his majordomo. Finding him in the kitchen, he explained he was going away and gave him the money. ‘This should hold you until I get back. I’m going to see Mr. Lewishon.’

The majordomo bowed and gave Elliot a sad, searching stare as he took the money. The stare told Elliot the old man was aware of the mess he was in.

‘I’ll write if I stay away longer than a week,’ Elliot said, uncomfortable at the searching stare and the sadness on the old man’s face. He returned to his bedroom, paused to look around, feeling sure this would be the last time he would call this room his own. Then shrugging, he picked up the suitcase and walked down to the garage.

As he was getting into the Alfa Romeo, he saw a girl walking slowly up the drive: a blonde, wearing a white sweatshirt and scarlet shorts.

‘Cindy Luck!’ he thought, surprised and he drove down, pulling up beside her. ‘Hello.’ He smiled. ‘What brings you here?’

Cindy seemed ill at ease and her smile forced.

‘I... I wanted to see you again.’

Vin, Joey and she had gone over the kidnap plan. Vin felt sure that Cindy could get Elliot to their bungalow.

‘Get him here,’ he said, ‘then I’ll handle him.’

Cindy had hesitated.

‘You won’t hurt him, Vin?’

‘Hurt him? Forget it! I’ll just poke a gun at him and he’ll fall to pieces. I know these phoney tough guys. They’re fine up there on the screen, but show them a gun in real life and they’re just wet spaghetti.’

Elliot regarded her. She’s certainly a dish, he thought. If it wasn’t for this goddamn tin foot, I’d get her laid.

‘Well, here I am,’ he said. I’m just off to Hollywood.’

Cindy’s eyes opened wide. This was unexpected.

‘Oh, Mr. Elliot! My father will be so disappointed. He is a terrific fan of yours. When I told him I had been here and you had actually given me lunch — honest, he nearly died with envy. He was really upset so I said I would try to persuade you to come and see him.’ Her mind worked swiftly as she saw alarm come into Elliot’s eyes. ‘I know it’s asking a lot but my father is an invalid and he has so little pleasure. He’s seen all your movies and he really thinks you’re the greatest... as I do.’

Elliot hesitated, then thought: What have I got to lose? I now haven’t a friend in the world and here’s this kid... what a dish! It won’t kill me to see her old man. It’ll give them both a hell of a kick. He smiled. ‘Okay. Where do you live, Cindy?’

‘On Seaview Boulevard.’

‘That’s fine. It’s in my direction. Hop in.’ Elliot leaned over and opened the offside door. ‘I can’t stay long, but if it will please your old man, it’s my pleasure.’

Cindy felt suddenly sick. She had allowed herself to be persuaded by Vin to take part in this kidnap plan. As Vin pointed out the money would mean nothing to Elliot and once they had got it, they would get married and have a ball. She had gone along with this, not thinking of Elliot, but now he was being so kind, she began to have qualms. For a long moment, she stood hesitating, then when he told her to hurry up, she obeyed and got in the car.

‘I can’t thank you enough,’ she said, not looking at him. ‘You don’t know what this will mean to my father.’

‘Forget it,’ Elliot said as he drove on to the highway. ‘I’m repaying a little debt You said something very nice to me... something no one has ever said to me.’

‘Did I?’

‘You wouldn’t remember because it came from your heart. You were talking about my home. You said I deserved it because I had given so much pleasure to so many people.’ He smiled at her. ‘I’m now trying to live up to your image of me.’

Cindy looked away. For a brief moment, she was on the point of telling him she was leading him into a trap, but thinking of Vin and her father and how much this money would mean to them and that this nice movie star wouldn’t miss giving them fifty thousand dollars when he must be worth millions, she resisted the urge.

‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I did mean what I said and you are living up to my image.’

Elliot drove fast to Seaview Boulevard. He was a little puzzled that this girl at his side seemed so tense. As she remained silent, he asked abruptly, ‘Anything on your mind, baby? Something wrong?’

Cindy stiffened.

‘Wrong? No. I was thinking how lucky I am and how kind you are.’

Elliot laughed. ‘Oh, come on, Cindy! Don’t soft soap me. I’m just behaving like a normal human being.’

‘Are you?’ Cindy thought of Vin and for the first time since she had fallen in love with him, she realized with a little pang that there was no kindness in him. He was hard, tough and glamorous but without kindness and Cindy suddenly realized kindness was as important as glamour. She compared Vin with Elliot and then Elliot with Joey. Elliot and Joey were a lot alike: they had warmth, but not Vin.

‘Not many people who are as famous and as rich as you,’ she said quietly, ‘would bother with people like my father and myself.’

‘Wouldn’t they?’

Maybe she was right, he thought. He wondered if he would have bothered with her if Pacific Pictures had renewed his contract. He decided he wouldn’t have. He wondered what he was letting himself in for. The old man would probably be a god-awful bore. Well, he needn’t stay long.

‘I’m seeing my agent tomorrow,’ he said. ‘I could be starting work again.’

Cindy turned. Her face lit up and she looked so pleased Elliot cursed himself for telling such a stupid lie.

‘I’m so glad! I read about the accident. It just made me sick. It was so awful for you.’

Elliot shrugged.

‘These things happen.’ He hesitated, then went on. ‘My left foot is made of tin now.’ He looked sharply at her. ‘That shock you?’

‘Shock me? Why should it? You walk beautifully. No one would know.’

‘They know when I take my shoe off.’ The bitter note in his voice made her flinch.

‘Yes... I understand. I’m sorry.’

‘Why should you be sorry?’

She hesitated.

‘Well, go on, say it.’

‘It must be hard on you. I’m sure you had lots of girls... you shouldn’t let a thing like this spoil your life.’ Again she hesitated. ‘What has a foot to do with it when a man and a woman are in love?’

Elliot whistled softly between his teeth.

‘You don’t know, kid. It makes a hell of a difference. You just don’t know.’

‘I said if a man and a woman are in love. I don’t mean just jumping into bed... I mean love.’

‘Would it make any difference to you?’

‘I plan to get married very soon,’ Cindy said, not looking at him.

‘You are?’ Elliot was startled that what she had told him gave him a letdown feeling. This sudden pang of disappointment irritated him. What was this chick to him? She was a dish, of course, but nothing more and yet to be told she was getting married depressed him. ‘Who’s the lucky man?’

‘You’ll meet him. He’s staying with father and me.’ Cindy pointed. ‘It’s the end bungalow on the right’

Elliot surveyed the small bungalow, half hidden by shrubs. He was not surprised by its shabbiness. In fact, he rather liked its downtrodden appearance... so different from his own luxury home.

He pulled up outside the gate behind Vin’s blue Jaguar.

‘Is that your boyfriend’s car?’ he asked as Cindy joined him on the sidewalk.

‘Yes.’

‘Good car... well, come on, chick, I can’t stay long.’

Cindy led the way up the path to the front door.

Joey and Vin watched from behind the net curtains. Joey was sweating and his legs felt weak. Vin held a.38 automatic and he was breathing heavily.

‘She’s done it!’ he said. ‘I knew she would! Well, here comes fifty grand! Just leave this to me.’

‘Don’t hurt him,’ Joey pleaded. ‘Be careful, Vin. I don’t like any of this. I...’

‘Just shut up, will you?’ Vin snarled. ‘I’ll handle it.’

Cindy opened the front door.

‘Please come in.’ Her voice was so husky Elliot looked at her. She had lost colour and now looked terrified.

‘What’s with it, baby?’ he asked, puzzled. ‘Are you all right?’

Then he heard a sound behind him and he looked around.

Vin stood in the open doorway of the living room, the gun pointing at Elliot.

‘Just take it easy, buster,’ Vin said, his voice like a fall of gravel. ‘Come on in. One wrong move from you and I’ll give you a second belly button.’

For a moment Elliot was startled, then he quickly recovered. He smiled.

‘That dialogue is right out of a B movie,’ he said, then he looked at Cindy. ‘I’m disappointed in you. Who would have thought you would turn out to be a gangster’s moll?’ He laughed. ‘More B movie dialogue.’

Here, Barney paused. He regarded me with a sly look, then said, ‘Would you like to try Sam’s sausages, Mr. Campbell? They are one of the specialities of the house. They are soaked in rum before being fried in a chili sauce. I can recommend them.’

I explained that I had had dinner and I had to watch my weight.

‘Too much attention is paid to weight watching,’ Barney said, a note of scorn in his voice. ‘You live only once, mister. I’d hate to think of all the food I might have missed if I watched my weight. You follow my reasoning?’

I said I got the idea and perhaps he would like a sausage or two, but strictly not for me.

He smiled and lifted one thick finger at Sam. This must have been a pre-arranged signal for Sam came hurrying over with a plate of a dozen small sausages, the colour of mahogany, their skins wrinkled and glistening.

‘Try one,’ Barney said, pushing the plate towards me, but something warned me to resist. I said for him to go ahead and count me out. ‘They’re hot,’ Barney said, feeding one of the sausages into his little mouth. He chewed and I saw his eyes begin to water and I was thankful I had been strong minded; After a long swill of beer, Barney wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and settled himself. ‘Real dynamite,’ he said, nodding his approval. ‘I’ve seen so-called tough guys jump three feet in the air after just one of these little beauties.’

‘You got to this kidnapping,’ I said. ‘So what happened?’

Barney reached for another sausage as he said, ‘Well, Vin acted tough and he could be tough when he was in the mood. He scared the hell out of Cindy and Joey but he made no impact on Elliot.’

‘Elliot walked into the living room and sat down in the best arm chair. He ignored Vin and the threatening gun and concentrated on Joey. He liked the look of Joey and was surprised to see the old man was trembling.

‘ “Is this your father, Cindy?” he asked.

‘ “Yes.” Cindy was also trembling.

‘Elliot nodded to Joey.

‘ “I congratulate you. You have a lovely daughter, Mr. Luck. And this gentleman waving the gun at me... is he your fiancé?”

‘ “Now listen, buster,” Vin snarled. “Button up! I do the talking around here!”

‘Elliot continued to ignore Vin. To Cindy, he said, “I wouldn’t have thought he was your style. This act of his wouldn’t jell even on TV. I thought you could have aimed higher than him.”

‘Vin recognized he was being challenged. He saw Cindy’s uneasy look and also Joey’s reaction.

‘ “Okay, punk,” he said viciously. In the past, he had dealt with tough guys, smart punks and creeps who looked for trouble. This tall, handsome movie star had to be cut down to size and to learn right away who was the boss. Moving forward, he reached out and made a grab at Elliot’s shirt front. The idea was to jerk Elliot out of the chair, rush him across the room, slam him against the wall and knock the breath out of him, but it didn’t work that way.

‘Elliot chopped down-on Vin’s wrist, lifted his foot and rammed it into Vin’s chest to send him flying over him and the chair to crash on an occasional table, flattening it, the gun falling out of his hand.

‘Elliot was on his feet and had caught up the gun while Vin lay still, stunned.

‘ “I’m sorry, Mr. Luck,” Elliot said mildly. “I hope that table isn’t valuable.”

‘Joey stood speechless, aware that Elliot was holding the gun. Into his mind came a vision of a patrol car pulling up and Cindy and he being bundled into it and the iron gates of a prison clanging behind them for at least ten years.

‘Why had he listened to Vin? Why hadn’t he insisted that Cindy should have had nothing to do with this thing?

‘Cindy, backed against the wall, looked with terrified eyes at Vin, wondering if he was badly hurt.

‘ “Don’t look so upset,” Elliot said to her. “He’s all right. What’s a little tumble to a he-man like him?”

‘Vin shook his head, trying to clear it. Then he got unsteadily to his feet. He glared at Elliot, his mouth working with rage, his fists clenched.

‘ “Make a wrong move, buster,” Elliot said with a grin, “and I’ll give you a second belly button.”

‘Looking at Vin with his viciousness and then at Elliot, calm, amused and completely unflustered, Cindy felt a sudden change of heart. She realized that Vin wasn’t the man for her. The realization came as a shock to her and she moved quickly to Joey and caught hold of his hand. Joey, who sensed things, knew with frightened joy that he had got his daughter back.

‘ “Suppose we all sit down and talk this thing over,” Elliot said. “You over there.” He waved Vin to a chair by the window, some ten feet from where he was standing. “Go on... sit down unless you want me to let this heater off and get the police here.”

‘Muttering, but cowed, Vin went to the chair and sat down. Elliot smiled at Cindy.

‘ “You and dad sit there, please,” and he waved to the sofa.

‘Glad to sit down, Joey went to the sofa and he and Cindy sat side by side.

‘Elliot took a chair away from them all. He put the gun on the arm of the chair, took out a pack of cigarettes and watching Vin, he lit the cigarette.

‘ “Well now, Cindy. You owe me an explanation. What’s all this about?”

‘Joey squeezed Cindy’s arm.

‘ “Tell him, baby,” he said. “The truth never hurts anyone.”

‘ “Oh, shut up!” Vin snarled. “Keep your mouth shut, Cindy! Don’t listen to him!”

‘Cindy flushed and her eyes snapped. No man talked that way to her and got away with it.

‘ “Mr. Elliot... I’m so ashamed,” she said, looking straight at Elliot. “It seemed so easy... we want money terribly badly. It was Vin’s idea. When he heard I’d met you, he said it would be easy to kidnap you and you’d pay to be freed. It didn’t sound bad the way Vin put it. He promised not to hurt you. As you are so rich, my father and I felt you wouldn’t miss the ransom and we could make a new life for ourselves. Now, of course, I see how wrong it was. Please forgive us.”

‘Elliot gaped at her.

‘ “Ransom? What were you going to ask?”

‘Cindy looked at Joey for guidance and Joey nodded.

‘ “Fifty thousand dollars. With all your money, Mr. Elliot... you wouldn’t have missed that, would you?”

‘Elliot burst out laughing. While Joey and Cindy stared at him and Vin glared savagely, Elliot laughed until he had to mop his eyes with his handkerchief.

‘ “What’s so funny about it?” Cindy asked nervously.

‘ “Funny? It’s the best joke of the year! My poor, misguided people, I bet I’m as broke as you are. All I have in the world is my car, a suitcase of clothes and nine thousand dollars in cash — and the money doesn’t belong to me. I’m getting out of here before my creditors catch up with me. You certainly picked the wrong victim. What’s the matter with you three? Didn’t you ask around? Don’t you know you should never take anyone on face value?”

‘ “He’s bluffing,” Vin said and made to get out of his chair.

‘Elliot dropped his hand on the gun.

‘ “I wouldn’t, pal,” he said. “Even with a tin foot I can handle you.” There was a look in his eyes that made Vin sink back in the chair.

‘ “You mean you really haven’t any money... you’re not rich?” Cindy asked. “But the Rolls and that marvellous villa! You can’t expect us to believe that!”

‘ “The Rolls went back to the agent a few hours ago. The villa doesn’t belong to me. I’m on the run, baby. I’m washed up.”

‘ “Yeah? No one’s washed up with nine thousand dollars,” Vin said.

‘ “How long will that last? When it’s gone... that’s it. I’ve no way of making a living. I’m through.”

‘ “But all that money... you could live on it for at least two years,” Cindy said, thinking how little they managed to live on.

‘ “Lots of people could live on it for years, but not me,” Elliot said. “I either keep my standards or I don’t want to go on living.”

‘There was a pause, then Joey, speaking for the first time, said, “I don’t think that’s right thinking, Mr. Elliot, if you’ll excuse me saying so. We live on two hundred dollars a week and we get by.”

‘ “I don’t want to get by,” Elliot said. “I want to live. If you were so satisfied living on two hundred a week why stick your neck out on a kidnapping rap?”

‘Joey flinched.

‘ “I didn’t want to do it,” he said earnestly. “I wouldn’t have done it, Mr. Elliot.”

‘ “He’s right,” Cindy said. “Vin and I persuaded him. We want money! I’m sick of living like this! I’m sick of stealing every day. I want a big sum of money so I can enjoy myself and not go out dipping into people’s pockets.”

‘Elliot lifted his eyebrows.

‘ “Is that what you do?”

‘ “Yes! Daddy does the same! Every day! And all we get out of it is a mingy two hundred a week.”

‘ “And what does he do apart from waving guns at people?” Elliot asked, nodding towards Vin.

‘ “That’s my business!” Vin barked. “You keep your mouth shut, Cindy! You’re talking too much!”

‘ “He’s a burglar,” Cindy said, ignoring Vin.

‘ “An interesting trio.” Elliot smiled at them. “I’m sorry I can’t help you. In my better days, I might have been tempted to give you fifty thousand, but you’ve arrived a little late.” He got to his feet. “I must be on my way.” He left the gun on the arm of the chair and moved to the door. “Take my tip... layoff the kidnapping racket. I don’t think you’re in that league.”

‘ “You’re right, Mr. Elliot,” Joey said. He paused, hesitated, then blurted out, “You’re not planning to make trouble for us? I mean... the police?”

‘ “Of course not,” Elliot said. “Who knows? In a little while the police may come looking for me.” He had said this jokingly but the truth of it suddenly struck him. He realized with a sense of shock that he was no better than these three professional thieves. They stole in a small way, but he had been stealing in a big way. By walking out like this he was stealing from the bank and his creditors. The nine thousand dollars in his hip pocket was stolen. The clothes on his back and in his suitcase were stolen. “Goddamn it,” he thought. “I’m a thief! I’m as dishonest as these three are!” Then into his mind came the memory of Louis de Marney as he said, “You have the opportunity of getting the stamps — how you get them is no business of ours — we will accept them from you, ask no questions and give you two hundred thousand.”

‘Elliot studied the three as they sat looking at him. Maybe with their help, he could get hold of these stamps. Suppose he paid them fifty thousand? That would leave him with a hundred and fifty. With that kind of money he could really have a ball before he called it a day.

‘The idea caught fire in his mind.

‘ “If you three really want fifty thousand,” he said, “how about earning it?” He came back to his chair and sat down. “How would you like to do a job with me?”

‘Vin eyed him suspiciously.

‘ “What kind of job?”

‘ “In your line.” Leaning forward, Elliot told them about the Russian stamps.’