Just Another Sucker

‘In a few days. When she does return, I will speak to her. I am quite sure she has nothing to do with this accident.’

‘Can you explain, sir, why her car should be left at Lone Bay parking lot?’

Malroux moved restlessly.

‘No. What my daughter does with her car is no concern of mine.’ He reached out and picked up a book that was lying on the table. ‘When my daughter returns, I will arrange for you to see her if it is still necessary. I am sure by then you will have traced the person responsible for the accident. I am satisfied my daughter has nothing to do with it. Good day to you, Lieutenant.’

‘Well, that’s that,’ Renick said as we walked back to the Packard. ‘He’s a cool old bird, isn’t he?’

I was feeling limp.

‘We don’t know for certain she has been kidnapped,’ I said. ‘He could have wanted that money for a business deal.’

Renick shook his head.

‘I don’t think so. Even a millionaire doesn’t make a bank manager open his bank on a Sunday unless it is a life and death matter. I’m willing to bet she’s been kidnapped. We’d better report to Meadows.’

The District Attorney was pacing his office and chewing a dead cigar when we walked in.

Renick told him about finding the car, about the bashed wing and of his interview with Malroux.

‘He’s not talking,’ he concluded. ‘I can’t say I blame him. Do you think we should put a call out for the girl?’

Meadows threw his cigar into the trash basket.

‘No. We’ll wait. I’m not sticking my neck out. Malroux’s got plenty of influence. If we move in now and make trouble for the girl, I’m the guy who’ll hear about it. We’ll wait.’

Renick shrugged.

‘Okay, sir.’ He turned to me. ‘Keep near a telephone, Harry. I may need you in a hurry. Are you going home?’

‘Yes. If I go out I’ll leave a telephone number with Nina where you can get me.’

‘Do that.’

I drove home.

Nina was working in the lounge on a garden pot. She put down her paint brush as I came in.

‘Darling… I’m so excited.’ She put her arms around me. ‘Is it going to be all right?’

I swung her up in my arms and sat down with her on my lap.

‘It’s going to be all right. I’m working again and it’s a job I’m going to like.’

She asked me why John had wanted me so urgently and on a Sunday. I told her about Malroux.

‘John thinks the girl has been kidnapped, but I’m not worrying my brains until we know for certain.

Personally, I think Malroux could have wanted the money for a big business deal.’ I steered the conversation away from Malroux by asking her if she still planned to go on with her art work now I had a steady job.

‘We can afford it if you want to drop it,’ I said.

‘I think I’ll go on. Anyway, until the end of the season.’

After dinner, I said I would go down to police headquarters to if there was any news.

‘I won’t be long. I think it’s an idea to show myself.’

I drove to the nearest drug store and called Odette.

‘It’s fixed for tomorrow night,’ I said. ‘It’s going to work. I want you to catch the eleven o’clock plane back here. When you arrive take the bus to the terminus. You’ll get there just after one. I’ll be waiting for you. I’ll take you to the cabin and leave you there. Then I’ll collect you-know-what and come back.’

She said she understood. Her voice sounded anxious.

‘You’re sure it is going to be all right?’

‘Yes… relax. I’ll see you at the bus terminus at one o’clock,’ and I hung up. I then called police headquarters. The desk sergeant told me Renick had gone home. I guessed nothing had happened, so I went home myself.

The next morning, soon after nine, I went down to the District Attorney’s office. It seemed odd to be starting a routine life again: odder to sit at a desk.

Renick’s secretary gave me a bunch of files. She said if I read through their contents, I would have a good picture of what was going on in the office. She said Renick would be in later in the day.

I started on the files. Renick came in soon after eleven. He sat on the edge of my desk and asked me how I liked the feel of work again.

‘I like it fine,’ I said. I waved my hand to the files. ‘This is right up my street. Any news of the Malroux girl?’

‘Nothing so far. I have a guy out at Lone Bay parking lot. If she turns up to take her car, he’ll call me.

There’s nothing else I can do until Malroux calls us in. The Federal boys and the State police are all standing by.’

‘If Malroux pays the ransom and the girl is returned, you may hear nothing further.’

‘These days kidnappers don’t usually return their victim. They are safer dead,’ Renick said grimly. ‘If she has been kidnapped, I’ll bet you he’ll call us in.’ He slid off the desk. ‘Well, I’ve work to do.

Anything you want – I’m right next door.’