Fast Buck

Rico staggered out of the room, and Baird heard him calling to Luigi. Shrugging his shoulders, Baird sat down and helped himself to another whisky. The only regret he felt for leaving town was that he wouldn’t get the chance of seeing Anita again. He had found out where she worked, and most nights he parked his car near the restaurant to watch her come out when the restaurant closed. Sometimes he followed her home, and spent a half an hour watching the light in her window, seeing her pass and repass as she moved about the room, preparing for bed. He made no attempt to speak to her, and he was careful that she shouldn’t see him. He told himself again and again he was get ing soft in the head, and he was wasting his time, but the fascination of seeing her from a distance was irresistible to him.

Rico returned ten minutes later. He carried a suitcase which he placed on the table.

‘Luigi wil look after things for me,’ he said. ‘I’ve got a couple of grand in here, and there’s the five grand from Kile. But unless I have to, I don’t want to go…’

The telephone bell rang sharply, cutting off his words. He answered it while Baird lounged in his chair and watched him.

‘Yeah, Sam. This is Rico. What’s going on down there?’ He listened, and Baird saw his face go green. ‘They have? Okay. Thanks, Sam. Come up to the club and see Luigi. He’l pay you off.’ He hung up and looked at Baird, who was already on his feet, reaching for the suitcase. ‘They’ve found her! Sam saw them hook her out about three minutes ago.’

‘Come on, then,’ Baird said. ‘Let’s get out of here fast. First stop Red River Basin.’

Rico tore at his hair.

‘Leaving all this! I’l be ruined…’

Baird was already walking rapidly down the passage to the car park. Rico snatched up his hat and coat and rushed after him.

The dark blue Packard was waiting at the rear exit.

‘There’s another set of licence plates in the boot,’ the parking at endant said, coming up. ‘The tank’s full, and there’s a Thompson under the rear floor boards. Anything else I can do?’

‘Can you ditch the Buick?’

The parking attendant grinned.

‘I’ve already done that. I left it in a vacant lot about a mile away.’

‘Nice work,’ Baird said approvingly. ‘If they ask questions, tel them you haven’t seen us.’

‘Sure.’

Rico scrambled into the Packard.

‘Good luck, Mr Rico. I’l stal them,’ the parking attendant said.

‘Thanks, Tim. Maybe I’ll be back,’ Rico said mournful y.

Baird let in the clutch, swung out of the parking lot, and headed up town.

MacAdam, who had been sitting in his car waiting patiently for Gillis to show, spotted Rico in the Packard. He thought he recognised Baird at the wheel. He didn’t hesitate. Instinct told him it was more important to go after Baird and Rico than to wait for Gillis.

He trod on the starter and shot his car away from the kerb.

VI

‘Peggy, darling,’ Gil is said, turning on his boyish charm and leaning across the table to catch her hand, ‘aren’t you get ing a little bored with all this? Wouldn’t you like to come back to my place? We could have much more fun alone together.’

His blonde companion screwed up her eyes to focus the tanned, smiling face that appeared to bob up and down like a toy balloon on a rough sea.

‘I’m having fun right here,’ she announced, in a voice that carried across the restaurant. ‘I don’t want to go to your dreary old place. I’ve been there, and I know what you cal fun. I’m staying right here.

Let’s have some champagne.’

Gillis’s smile became fixed. He glanced a lit le anxiously at the tables close to his. Some of the diners were looking at Peggy, amused smiles on their faces.

‘I think you’ve drunk enough already, darling,’ he said, keeping his voice low. ‘Come on, Peggy, let’s get out of here.’

‘I don’t want to,’ she said, with drunken obstinacy. ‘I want some champagne. I’m not asking you to pay for it. I’l pay for it myself. I’ve lots and lots of money. Hey, waiter!’ she went on, raising her voice.

‘Where’s the lousy waiter? Waiter!’

Gillis went white with suppressed fury. If there was one thing he hated, it was to be the centre of a scene. People were now staring at him, and some of them were whispering to each other.

‘Keep your voice down, you lit le fool!’ he said furiously. ‘You’re making a scene!’

‘I don’t care!’ the girl cried. ‘Why shouldn’t I make a scene if I want to? I’m paying for this meal, and if I want to, I’m entitled to make a scene!’

A waiter came up quickly.

‘Is there anything madam wants?’ he asked, bowing.

‘Get some champagne,’ the girl ordered. ‘My boy friend’s thirsty. He only drinks champagne if I pay for it. Don’t you, Adam darling?’

Gillis pushed back his chair. He was sweating now.

‘Sure,’ he said soothingly. ‘But excuse me a moment. I’l be right back. I’ve just remembered I’ve got to make a phone call.’