Whiff Of Money

'Chance? You say I wouldn't have known?' the guttural voice grated on Sherman's ears. 'I knew when you left New York. I knew you were in Paris. I know you have met Dorey of the CIA. That is why I am here - two hours ahead of my flight to Rabut. I am here because I want to know why you have taken this irresponsible risk. I demand to know!'

Sherman stared at him, shrinking a little under the glaring rage that burned from the small, venomous eyes.

'You knew?' Sherman felt blood leaving his face. 'I don't believe it! How could you know?'

Radnitz made a savage, impatient movement with his hand.

'You are an important investment, Sherman. I have agents who are well paid to keep me informed about all my investments... especially you. I am asking you why you are here.'

Sherman licked his dry lips.

'This is a private matter. It is nothing to do with you. I can't discuss it.'

Radnitz drew on his cigar. His hooded eyes never left Sherman's sweating face.

'Why did you go to Dorey and not to me?'

Sherman hesitated, then he said with an effort. 'Dorey was my only hope for help. He and I have been friends for a long time ... I mean real friends.'

Radnitz's thin lips curved into a pitying smile.

'So you don't consider me as a friend?'

Sherman looked directly at him, then slowly shook his head.

'No... I look on you as a powerful associate, but not as my friend.'

'So you have put your trust in a fool like Dorey?' Radnitz touched the ash off his cigar and it dropped onto the thick, green carpet. 'You begin to worry me. I am now wondering if you have the personality, the authority and the necessary leadership to make for a great President.' He leaned forward. 'Don't you realise that if you are in urgent, personal trouble, you don't go to friends? You come to people like myself who has an investment in you and who knows how to handle any kind of trouble. So tell me . . . what is this personal and urgent trouble of yours?'

'Dorey is no fool!' Sherman exclaimed. 'He is handling this and I am satisfied he will produce results!'

'I asked you: what is this personal and urgent trouble? I have a right to know.'

Sherman thought rapidly. Perhaps he had been irresponsible in rushing off to Paris to consult Dorey who had only been able to offer him the services of a man who Dorey had admitted was something of a crook. Maybe he (Sherman) should have consulted Radnitz and dumped the whole sordid affair in his lap, but Mary had been against consulting Radnitz.

She feared and hated this fat, squat German. When Sherman had asked her if she thought he should see Radnitz, she had begged him not to. Now, although he still refused to accept Radnitz's estimate of Dorey, he began to wonder if he should have listened to his wife's advice and instead, have gone immediately to Radnitz. After all, Radnitz had everything to gain in helping him and he also had tremendous influence.

Quickly, he came to a decision.

'I will tell you,' he said. Briefly, he told Radnitz about the stag film, the threatening letter and also that there were three other films and his need to find his daughter.

Radnitz sat motionless, drawing on his cigar, bis hooded eyes veiled while he listened.

'So you see,' Sherman concluded, raising his hands helplessly. 'I was desperate. Dorey is my friend. He is helping me. I had to take the risk of coming here, but now I can see I could have been hasty.' He forced a smile. 'I see now I should have come to you.'

Radnitz let rich-smelling smoke roll out of his thin-lipped mouth.

'So Girland is handling this operation?'

Sherman regarded him.

'Sounds as if you know this man.'

'There are few men of his ilk - happily few -1 don't know. I once employed him with disastrous results.(see 'This Is For Real') He is clever, cunning and dangerous ... a man I would never trust.'

'Dorey said he was my only chance to get these films.'

'Yes... I think Dorey might be right. If one pays Girland enough, he delivers. He could find the films and also your daughter.' Radnitz looked quizzingly at Sherman. 'Then what?'

Sherman moved uneasily.

I will destroy the films and control my daughter.'

'Will you? How old is your daughter?'

'Twenty-four.'

'So how will you control her?'

'I'll reason with her... persuade her...'

Radnitz made an impatient movement with his hands.

'What do you know about your daughter, Sherman?'

Sherman looked away, frowning, then he said slowly, 'She has always been tiresome, unruly ... a rebel. I admit I don't know much about her. I haven't seen her for three years.'

' I know that. I have had her watched... she is part of my investment.' Radnitz shifted his bulk in the chair. 'What are your feelings about her?'

Sherman shrugged.

'I can't say I have any great feelings about her. She just doesn't fit in with my way of life. It would be impossible to have her with us at the White House ... utterly impossible.'

There was a long pause, then Radnitz said in his quiet, deadly voice, 'Suppose some unfortunate accident happened to her and you lost her... would you mind?'