Whiff Of Money

But Girland was alive to the risk. He had no idea what time Rosnold got up. He didn't want Rosnold to find Gilly's bedroom empty. He slid out of bed and went into the bathroom. Before turning on the shower, he called. 'Oh your way.

I'll see you downstairs in an hour.'

When he had shaved and showered, he returned to the bedroom to find she had gone. He felt relaxed and fine. He ordered toast, marmalade and coffee and then dressed. He threw open the french windows and stood, breathing in the sharp May air, watching the movement of the people on the street below.

* * *

At the modest hotel opposite the Alpenhoff, Malik left his room, walked down the corridor to Labrey's room. He tapped and entered.

Vi, wearing bra and panties was making up her face before the small mirror. Labrey was putting on his shoes.

'Just bust in!' Vi said angrily, snatching up her wrap and struggling into it. 'Haven't you any manners?'

Malik ignored her. He tossed her passport on the bed, then he signed to Labrey to follow him. Out in the passage, Malik said, 'Ihave no further work for you two for the moment. You are to return to Paris.' He took from a worn wallet several 100 DM bills and handed them to Labrey. 'I am satisfied with your work. Lintz and I can now handle it. You are to report to Kovski. Tell him I am still following Girland. Tell him nothing else. Do you understand?'

Labrey nodded. He was relieved he could take Vi back to Paris. He had had a hell of a night with her.

'And she?' Labrey asked.

'Tell her she will work for us in the future. Give her some of that money. There is plenty for both of you,' Malik said. I thought I might use her here, but she is now no longer necessary. Get off quickly.'

He left Labrey and went downstairs and joined Lintz who was sitting at a table outside the hotel.

'You've checked us out?' Malik asked as he sat down.

'Yes ... we're all ready to go.'

'I've got rid of those two upstairs,' Malik said. 'They have served their purpose. Now, they will only be in the way.'

'So what do we do now?' Lintz asked.

'The three of them will be going to the Obermitten Schloss some time this morning,' Malik said, lighting a cigarette. 'We follow them there. This is rather like a jigsaw puzzle, but now, the pieces are falling into place. I know now that this girl, Gillian Sherman is the daughter of the future President of the United States and that they are estranged. She is living with Pierre Rosnold, the man she is travelling with. He specialises in pornographic films. The girl is without morals and we can assume she has made a pornographic film. We know Sherman had a movie projector with him which he gave to Dorey who passed it on to Girland. I think it is obvious the girl is blackmailing her father. Now Radnitz's nephew appears on the scene. We know Radnitz and Sherman have a bargain. Radnitz will get a big contract from Sherman if Sherman becomes President. It would be in Radnitz's interest to stop the girl blackmailing her father. The girl, Rosnold and Girland have been invited to Radnitz's Schloss . . . why? Knowing Radnitz, they are going there to get their throats cut.'

'Do we care?' Lintz asked, looking at Malik.

'Yes. For reasons I will not discuss with you, we care,' Malik said quietly.

Half an hour later, while the two men still sat watching the movement of the crowd as it passed along the narrow sidewalk, Labrey and Vi came from the hotel. Labrey was carrying a suitcase. He paused at Malik's side.

'We're on our way,' he said. 'If there is anything else ... ?'

Malik shook his head.

'No ... you have been useful... get off.'

Vi stood away from Malik. She could scarcely believe she was leaving this silver-haired giant who so terrified her.

With Labrey, she began to walk towards the railway station.

'Pretty girl,' Lintz said, eyeing Vi's legs as she moved quickly along the street.

'A whore,' Malik said indifferently, 'but she will be useful.'

'Yes.' Lintz laughed, then seeing Malik was blank-faced and his eyes brooding, he cut off his laugh and remained silent.

A few minutes to mid-day, a black Mercedes turned into the Alpenhoff Hotel's driveway and pulled up outside the entrance. A short, thick-set man, wearing a green livery of cloth and leather, went into the hotel.

Malik became alert.

A few minutes later, the man came out followed by Gillian, Girland and Rosnold. Two porters carried their bags.

'They are on their way,' Malik said. 'Get our bags.'

Lintz went into the hotel.

The short, thick-set man in the green livery was talking to Girland.

'If you will follow me in your car sir, I will take you to the Schloss,' he was saying. 'It's about an hour's drive.'

Gilly said to Rosnold, T want to drive in the Merc. You follow us... okay?'

'No!' Rosnold said curtly. 'You are driving with me!'

Overhearing this exchange, Girland went to his hired Mercedes and got in. Without waiting to see if Gilly was winning her argument, he started the engine and followed the black Mercedes out into the main street.