Not My Thing

Terrell hesitated. No threats of withholding evidence would bother Drysdale.

‘Okay, Syd, you get your exclusive. Who do you think pulled the kidnapping?’

‘Word of honour?’ Drysdale asked, his little eyes probing.

‘You’ll get your exclusive. Now tell me!’

Drysdale beamed. He leaned forward and said quietly, ‘I’m willing to bet my Sunday lunch that the man who fixed the kidnapping is Lucky Lucan.’

8

Kling strode into his cabin at the Star Motel, slamming and locking the door behind him.

He found Ng Vee standing by the kitchen stove, stirring a saucepan of savoury-smelling food.

That smells great,’ Kling said. ‘I’m starving! What is it?’

‘Curried beef, rice and green peppers, sir,’ Ng said, not looking at Kling. ‘It’ll be ready in five minutes.’

‘Great!’ Kling moved out of the kitchen. ‘We’ll talk as we eat.’

He turned on the TV set. He was feeling triumphant. In ten days’ time, he would be worth five million dollars! He had certainly handled this sonofabitch Jamison beautifully. He stared for a moment at a busty girl screaming into a mike and, grimacing, he switched off the set.

The table was laid. He nodded. This kid certainly was a find! He never seemed to put a foot wrong, and his cooking was out of this world.

Kling took his place at the table and began to nibble bread.

Five million dollars!

He would be able to kiss the Mafia bosses goodbye. He would no longer have to plan to knock off some pest. With five million dollars, he would be able to live as he had so often dreamed of living.

Ng came in and set a big dish of the curried beef and a side plate of fried bananas and rice before Kling.

‘Terrific, kid!’ Kling said, as he began to pile the food on his plate. ‘Man! I’m starving!’

He didn’t notice that Ng only helped himself to a token portion of the food. Nor did he notice that Ng only toyed with his food while he ate ferociously.

After ten minutes or so, Kling, his hunger slightly appeased, grinned at Ng.

‘How did it go, kid? How did she behave?’

His face expressionless, Ng said, ‘No problem, sir.’

Kling gave his short, barking laugh.

‘Come the day, kid, when you say there is a problem. Then I’ll really get worried.’ He shovelled more food into his mouth. ‘This is top-class,’ he went on. ‘What happened when she surfaced?’

Ng moved his food around with his fork.

‘She was very calm, sir,’ he said. ‘I explained that she had been kidnapped. There was no trouble. She accepted the situation.’

Kling continued to eat.

‘You’ve done a great job, kid. Now, I’ll tell you something. I’ve talked to Jamison. In ten days, he’s going to part with five million dollars. I had him in a squeeze. There was nothing else he could do. So, in ten days’ time, I’ll be worth five million dollars! And, as you’re always saying, with no problems. How do you like that, kid?’

‘I am glad for you, sir,’ Ng said. He felt if he put any more food in his mouth, he would throw up. ‘What will happen to Mrs Jamison?’

‘I’ll tell you what I’m going to do when I get this money,’ Kling said, ignoring Ng’s question. ‘I’m going to charter a big yacht, and I’m going to drift around the world.’ Kling’s smile widened. ‘I want you to come with me. Get it?’

Ng bowed politely.

‘Thank you, sir.’ He got to his feet and began to gather up the dishes. ‘I have an ice with fruit, sir, if you would like it.’

Kling shoved back his chair and stood up.

‘No. I’ve had enough. A great meal, kid. You know what I’m going to do now? I’m going to town to celebrate earning five million bucks! I’m going to find a red head, well stuffed into her dress, and I’m going to screw her until she yells blue murder!’

Ng continued to collect the dishes.

‘Yes, sir,’ he said.

‘Hey, kid! Let’s go together. It’s time you had a girl,’ Kling said. ‘Come on! Leave that junk. Let’s you and me paint the town red.’

‘Thank you, sir, but please excuse me. I would rather watch TV if you don’t mind.’

‘Jesus!’ Kling exclaimed. ‘What a character you are!’

‘Yes, sir. May I ask what will happen to Mrs Jamison?’

As Kling lit a cigarette, his face turned ruthless.

‘What do you think, kid? Let me spell it out. I am a professional killer. When someone comes to me and tells me he wants someone rubbed out because he or she is a nuisance, and if this guy gives me the money I ask for, then I do the job. I’ve worked for years with the Mafia. They know I can be relied on. They don’t give a damn if I do an occasional private job, but they would give a damn if the word got out that I hadn’t delivered. So, you ask what will happen to this woman? So, I’ll tell you. She’s going to be rubbed out, and you and I will go on a world cruise.’

Holding the dishes, Ng stood motionless, looking like an ivory statue.

He asked, in a low, flat voice, ‘How will you kill her, sir?’

Kling shrugged impatiently.

‘I have ten days to think about that… nothing messy.’ He looked thoughtfully at Ng. ‘Suppose you do your blood-vessel trick? How about it, kid?’

Ng shivered.

‘I have never killed a woman, sir.’

Kling grinned.