Whiff Of Money (7 page)

Once when Drina and Labrey were together on a job, Girland had passed them, and Drina had pointed him out to Labrey who had stared at the tall, dark man, envying him because he was now out of this rat race of a racket.

'Have you swallowed a wasp or something?' Vi asked, staring at Labrey.

'Is he tall, dark with a big nose?'

'I wouldn't call it big... it's a dreamy nose.'

'Is he tall and dark?' Labrey restrained his impatience with an effort.

'Yes, and handsome.'

Labrey had telephoned Drina before signing off. Drina had told him that Girland was now involved somehow with Sherman. Labrey felt a wave of excitement run through him.

'Sit down,' he said, patting the bed.

'I'm busy, dopey... can't you see?' Vi turned to the mirror. I can hear what you say without sitting ... ouch!'

Labrey's hand cracked across her buttocks, making a pistol-like report.

'Ooooh! You beast!' Vi cried, dancing with the sting and rubbing herself. She started towards the basin of water when Labrey snarled, 'Come here and sit down or you'll get a hiding!'

The note in his voice brought her to an abrupt standstill. She looked at him. His thin, white face had that savage expression she didn't often see, but when she did, it scared her.

'All right, all right, you needn't have hit that hard.' She came hurriedly and sat by his side. 'What is it? God! You hurt me!'

I want to know exactly what happened between Girland and Benny. I want every detail... right from the beginning.'

'What on earth for?' Vi demanded, bewildered, her eyes opening wide.

Labrey's hand came down on her naked thigh with another vicious slap that made her squeal.

Talk!'

Hurt and now really scared, Vi talked. At the end of her recital, Labrey said, 'You're definitely meeting him at this restaurant at nine o'clock tonight?'

'Yes.' Vi rubbed the red mark on her thigh. 'Look what you've done to me, you stinking brute!'

'Shut up!' Labrey thought for a long moment. 'You're sure it was a blue film?'

'I'll say. They were on the bed, very busy.'

Labrey got to his feet.

'Now listen, don't say a word to anyone about this ... do you understand? Don't go yakking as you always yak.' He leaned forward, his eyes glittering to stare directly into her eyes. 'This is important. If you say one word to anyone, I'll fix you and you'll stay fixed!'

Vi shrank away from him, horrified by the murderous expression in his eyes.

'I won't say a thing ... honest'

'You'd better not. Stay here until I come back. Don't move from here!' 'I'll stay.'

Again he stared at her for a long chilling moment, then turned and went from the room. She heard him going down the stairs three at the time.

What's happening, she thought. Oh, God! He's never been like this before! He looked as if he could kill me! Has he gone crazy! What does it all mean?

She sat there, trembling, the water from the ends of her hair making patterns on the red, soiled bedspread.

* * *

Although he was satisfied that he had lost Drina, Girland was still cautious. He wanted to be certain there wasn't a second tail. As Drina darted off down Rue de Vaugirard, Girland left the shop doorway and retraced his way towards Benny's studio. He spotted a free taxi, crawling in the traffic, signalled and slid in as the taxi stopped. The taxi moved off again before the cars behind could begin any impatient hooting. Girland told the driver to take him to the American Embassy.

Twenty minutes later, he walked into Mavis Paul's office. The moment she saw him, she snatched up a heavy ruler and eyed him suspiciously. She had had one embarrassing experience with him and she had no intention of repeating it.

'Hello, beautiful,' Girland said, regarding the ruler and keeping his distance. 'Long time no see. You're looking as radiant as this May morning. When are we going to have dinner together? I have a new and wonderful Bukhara rug I want to show you.'

Mavis snapped down a switch on the intercom.

'Mr Girland is here, sir.'

' Send him in.' Dorey 's voice was curt.

Mavis flicked her pretty fingers to the door.

' On your way, Romeo.'

Girland shook his head sadly.

'If only you could realise what you are missing. A night out with me is an experience every beautiful girl dreams of.'

I can imagine,' Mavis said, unimpressed. 'He's waiting,' and putting down the ruler where she could grab it, she continued with her typing.

'The last time you kissed me...' Girland began but Mavis seized the ruler.

'Not another word from you!' she said, her face red. 'Go in there!'

The door opened and Dorey peered into the office.

'What are you waiting for, Girland? Come in... come in,' he said impatiently.

As Girland wandered into the big room, he said sadly, 'It's spring and yet there is still ice around. I find it depressing.'

'You leave my secretary alone,' Dorey snapped. He had once caught Girland kissing Mavis and the shock still irked him. 'She's a serious girl and you're wasting your time.'

Girland folded himself down in the visitor's chair. 'It's never a waste of time. Where there's a will, there's a woman.'

Dorey snorted and sat behind his desk.

'You are sure Drina was following you?'

'Of course.' Girland took the 8mm film from his pocket and put it on the desk. 'Lock it away. Now the Soviets are interested that film could be dynamite for Sherman.'

'You think Drina spotted Sherman?'

'I'm sure of it.' Girland reached for one of Dorey's hand-made cigarettes and lit it. 'I can't understand why they didn't alert the police that he was travelling on a false passport. They could have got him cold. Why follow me?'

'Kovski is a fool,' Dorey said. 'We can thank our lucky stars.'

'Well, at least, he knows you have met Sherman and there is a film involved.' Girland thought for a moment. 'If Kovski thinks this is important enough - and it's my bet he will - he will put pressure on Benny Slade.'

'Who's he?' Dorey demanded.

Girland told him.

'Benny had to see the film. The girl meant nothing to him. I had to show him the film to get a lead on the man who shot it. Kovski could work on Benny who is soft. If they twist his arm, he will sing. If Benny sings, Sherman is in real trouble.'

Dorey considered this.

'I can't do anything official, Girland. I'm relying on you. Can you protect this man?'

'Oh, sure, but it'll cost.' Girland studied Dorey. 'You did say expenses, didn't you? I don't want my money frittered away.' 'This is important. Spend what you like.' Girland looked at Dorey.

I would never have expected to hear you make such a statement,' he said. 'Well, well... of course it's Sherman's money you're spending, but even at that. ..'

Dorey banged his fist on the desk.

I want action and I want results! You'll be paid, but I want results.'

'Take it easy. I know a couple of toughies who can take care of

Benny. Instead of screaming for results, Dorey, let's have some money.'

Dorey took from his drawer a thick envelope which he tossed across the desk.

'Here's ten thousand in traveller's cheques.'

'Thank you... now I can get to work.'

Girland stowed the envelope away in his pocket.

'Don't lose them! They're unsigned!' Dorey hated to see Girland take so much money from him so casually.

'The way you're working yourself up, you're heading for an ulcer.' Girland reached for the telephone. He spoke quietly, then replaced the receiver.' That takes care of Benny.' There was a pause, then he went on, 'Maybe you had better alert Sherman the Soviets are interested in him.'

'How can I?' Dorey lifted his hands and slammed them down on his desk. T can't send him a coded cable. He's never learned to decode a cable for himself. I'm cut off from him. This is unofficial, and it has to remain unofficial.'

Girland stroked the end of his nose while he thought. 'I'm beginning to see now that I'll have to earn my money,' he said with a crooked smile. 'I'm not so sure I'm going to like this job.'

'If you don't want it then give me back my money!' Dorey barked.

'I'm not as sure as all that' Girland got up and began to move to the door.

'And leave my secretary alone!' Dorey said.

'What nasty ideas come into your little mind.' Girland looked sadly at Dorey, eased himself out of the room and closed the door.

At the sight of him, Mavis picked up the ruler.

Girland came slowly over to her desk, placed his hands on it and leaned towards her.

'My father told me never to be afraid of a pretty girL Since you are the loveliest star in my sky... kiss me.'

She stared at him for a long moment, then slowly put down the ruler as Dorey opened his door.

'You still here, Girland?'

Mavis returned to her typing and Girland straightened up. He regarded Dorey with an exasperated expression.

'The only person who could ever have loved you was your mother,' he said, 'and I am sorry for her.'

'Never mind about my mother,' Dorey snapped. 'You get off and earn your money.'

Girland glanced at Mavis who was pounding away on her typewriter, shook his head and moved out into the corridor.

As he closed the door after him, Dorey stamped back into his office.

Without pausing in her typing, Mavis smiled.

Malik sat behind his small, shabby desk and listened to what Labrey had to tell him. He thanked the gods that all his agents weren't as stupid and as unreliable as Drina. He decided this long-haired boy with his ridiculous green tinted glasses was worth five of Drina. When Drina had reported that he had lost Girland, Malik couldn't see how he was to make further progress. Now Labrey had come to him and had opened it all up again ... or rather, Labrey's girl had done so.

'Can you trust this girl?' Malik asked. His fiat green eyes surveyed Labrey.

'Can you trust any woman?' Labrey shrugged. So this is Malik, he was thinking. He had heard a lot about this man from Drina, and it gave him a kick to have direct contact with him. He was everything that Labrey would wish to be: big, muscular, ruthless and very efficient. 'I've thrown a scare into her, but it might not stay thrown.'

'Have you anything you can use against her?' 'She steals from shops ... she's always at it' 'You have proof of this?' 'Her place is full of stolen stuff.'

'That is not proof. We will have to make use of her as Girland is interested in her. Would she work for us?' Labrey hesitated.

I don't think so. She has no brains. She has no feeling for politics. All she thinks about is money, clothes and sex.'

Malik thought for a moment: a massive stone-like figure, his huge killer hands resting on the desk.

'Then we will pay her. What do we pay you?' 'Eight hundred a month.'

'We will pay her six hundred. Tell her she has no choice. Tell her we need her. If she won't co-operate, then one night something bad will happen to her . .. frighten her. Make sure she understands that Russia rewards good agents, but punishes bad ones. Do you understand?'

I understand.'

'Arrange it then.' Malik regarded Labrey. 'I shall have further work for you. You have done well. I will see you get more money.'

When Labrey had gone, Malik unlocked the bottom drawer of his desk and switched on a tape recorder. From the drawer he took a sensitive button microphone, so sensitive it didn't need leads to the recorder. He tapped the microphone gently to make sure the magic eye of the recorder reacted, then he clipped the microphone over his wristwatch and covered the watch with his frayed shirt sleeve. He walked down the corridor to Kovski's office. Kovski was busy writing a minute. He started violently when he saw Malik who had moved silently to Kovski's desk.

'Will you never learn to knock?' Kovski snarled, putting down his fountain pen.

Malik sat on the hard, upright chair.

'Sherman will be arriving at the Kennedy airport in another five hours,' he said. 'We know he is travelling on a false passport and in disguise. I understand he would not be welcomed by us as the future President. It occurred to me that you could alert the American airport police that he is travelling on a false passport.' Kovski stared at him. 'And suppose I do?'

'The police will have to take action: the Press will hear about it, there will be a scandal: Sherman won't be elected President,' Malik said.

Little red patches or rage appeared on Kovski's face. Had he thought of this himself, he might have acted, but coming from Malik made this impossible as Malik had foreseen.

'Since when have you been asked to dictate policy?' Kovski demanded, his voice shaking with fury. 'This is not your job! Your job is to find out why Sherman came to Paris and why Dorey has talked to Girland!'

'An anonymous cable to the American police at the Kennedy airport would result in Sherman's embarrassment,' Malik said woodenly. T suggest it is your duty to send this cable.'

'Are you telling me what my duty is?' Kovski shouted.

'Yes.'

Kovski glared with hatred at the big man sitting so relaxed before him.

'Be careful,' he said viciously. 'You are in disgrace! You are nothing! A word from me could send you for years to Siberia. You are to do what I tell you! Understand that! I will not listen to your views which are of no importance because you are stupid!' His rage so carried him away that he found he was no longer afraid of Malik.

'By sending this cable, you would be certain that Sherman could not become President of the United States,' Malik said, his face expressionless.

'You think so, you fool?' Kovski snarled. 'Are we so sure this man is really Sherman? We have only the word of that idiot Drina! If this man is really Sherman - and there are doubts and we alert the American police, then how are we to find out why he came here? This is what we want to find out! As soon as the CIA know we know who he is, they will throw up a smokescreen and then we will find out nothing!'

'We don't need to find anything out if you will send the cable. We will have achieved what we want . . . Sherman, won't be elected President.'