I Hold the Four Aces Part 5

aAnything you say, Helga.a He now realized she was completely dominating him. A Margaux a29 would cost at least five hundred francs, but he remembered Archeras advice: play along with her!

She looked at him, her eyes sparkling.

aThis is fun, Chris. Tell me about your day.a aMy day? Oh, I wandered around, had a swim, and missed you.a That pleased her and she patted his hand.

aI missed you too, but tomorrow will be different. We can enjoy ourselves. Iam dying for a swim.a aAnd what did you do?a he asked, knowing already what she had done.

aLetas talk about that later.a The direct stare made him uneasy.

So they ate the meal which was excellent, and talked about this and that. Grenville found he wasnat able to launch into one of his monologues, although he wanted to tell her about Monte Carlo and the Rainiers. Somehow, Helga dominated the conversation, telling him of her experiences when Herman Rolfe and she had spent many weeks in Cannes.

The meal finished, she said, aLetas return to the hotel.a To his relief, she signed the check and gave a lavish tip.

He said rather feebly, aThis should be on me, Helga,a but apparently, she didnat hear.

Driven back to the hotel, they went together to her suite. She walked out onto the balcony and looked at the sea, the crowds, the palm trees and the lights.

aI love Cannes,a she said, as Grenville joined her.

aYes: it is special.a He stood by her side, uneasy and worried.

aNow letas talk business.a She dropped into a chair.

Grenville wished Archer was here. This woman was demoralizing him. He had never met a woman with her strength of character; never before heard such sudden steel in her voice, or had to meet such a direct stare.

aBusiness? Of course.a He sat beside her. aYou mean the Patterson thing.a She smiled at him.

aChris, you have many splendid talents, but property promotion is not for you.a Grenville crossed his long legs and opened his gold cigarette case, which he offered. Helga took a cigarette and he did. He lit the cigarettes before saying, aYou could be right.a She threw back her head and laughed. Looking at her, Grenville suddenly realized she was really a beautiful woman. Her throat line was superb.

aWhen you told me about this Blue Sky promotion and that you had become involved,a Helga said, aI decided to check. Yesterday, I instructed my people to investigate Joe Patterson. This morning I inspected the site at Vallauris. Now, let me tell you what I have discovered. First, Joe Patterson: he has spent five years in a U.S. jail for fraud. He has very little money: just enough to keep up appearances. The Blue Sky promotion is yet another of his many swindles. I went this morning to the cadastre at Vallauris. They told me that there are two footpaths through this piece of land, so it would be impossible to build. Leger, the agent, is a crook. You now have to face the fact, Chris, that you have got yourself involved in a swindle.a Taking out his handkerchief, Grenville wiped his damp hands.

aI did say, didnat I, Helga, no one in their right minds?a aYes,a she broke in. It irked him that she kept cutting him short. aWe can forget Patterson. Iam sorry, because you wonat get the two per cent on this so-called deal.a Grenville shrugged.

aLife is like that, isnat it? I never really thought I would.a He stared down at the crowd, moving on the promenade. aMaybe I had better see this farce to the end. If Patterson really wants me to go to Saudi Arabia, it could pay me to do so.a He thought this was a smart move, and looked at Helga. But her searching stare made him immediately uncomfortable. He forced himself to smile at her.

aForget Saudi Arabia,a Helga said curtly. aI have a suggestion to make.a aYou have? What is it, Helga?a aMy corporation can use your talents. I want you to become a member of my executive staff.a With an effort, Grenville kept his face expressionless.

aBut I know nothing about electronics.a aYou wonat need to. I want you as my personal a.s.sistant.a Helga put her hand on his. aYou canat imagine how many things I have to deal with, and with you at my side, my work would be halved. What do you think?a Here it is, Grenville thought and suddenly gained confidence. His fingers caressed Helgaas wrist.

aI would love that, but tell me first: your personal a.s.sistant?a He looked at her with that sensual look he could produce for middle-aged or elderly women that had never failed. aHow personal?a aVery, very personal, Chris, darling,a Helga said and got to her feet.

As he went with her into the bedroom, Grenville thought that this time he hadnat fluffed it. He could almost hear Archer applauding on the sidelines.

The warm sun, coming through the slats of the shutters, woke Helga. She moved voluptuously, sighing, then opened her eyes. Looking at the bedside clock, she saw it was 10.00.

She had never slept so well. Turning on her side, she looked at the pillow beside her and touched it.

Grenville had left her soon after 03.00, and she hated him going, but both had agreed he must return to his room for appearancesa sake.

She ran her fingers through her silky hair.

What a lover! The best ever!

She arched her body, longing for him to be by her side, and longing for him to take her yet again.

What a lover!

For some minutes, she lay still and re-lived the events of the night. Perfect! And it must be repeated and repeated and repeated! This wonderful man must be her husband! She now couldnat bear the thought of ever being parted from him. He had everything: looks, intelligence, talents, and was magnificent as a lover!

Hooked! she told herself and laughed. Yes, and why not? He loved her as fiercely as she loved him.

She knew it by the way he looked at her and had caressed her. Of course she must be careful. She mustnat rush this. He was English, and there was this reserve about him. He was certain to have a stupid bias that as she was so rich, he shouldnat marry her, but this, she felt sure, she could handle.

But certainly not in the Carlton Hotel.

She turned on her side as she thought, then suddenly, she smiled. Of course! The villa in Castagnola!

The perfect love nest: away from the prying eyes of the press. Chris and herself. Nothing could be more perfect!

Herman Rolfe had always liked to spend a month or so in Switzerland and had bought a villa, owned by a successful American movie producer, just outside Lugano, with a wonderful view of the lake. It was in this villa that Archer had unsuccessfully tried to blackmail her, but that was now in the past. It was the ideal place for a discreet love affair.

Her mind became active. There were things to arrange. First, she would need someone discreet to run the villa. The local women would gossip. Then she smiled and hugged her pillow.

Hinkle!

That tubby, kindly man who had looked after Herman Rolfe for over fifteen years, and who had now transferred his loyalty to her, and who was almost like a father figure to her.

Of course, Hinkle!

She s.n.a.t.c.hed up the telephone receiver and asked the concierge to find out details of a flight from Miami to Geneva, and another flight from Nice to Geneva.

Then breaking the connection, she called Signor Transel who looked after the Castagnola villa. She told him to have the villa opened and cleaned, saying she would be arriving the day after tomorrow.

Signor Transel said he would arrange it immediately.

She then ordered coffee.

The concierge called, giving her times of the two flights, and she told him to book a single from Miami and two from Nice.

Her coffee arrived.

She called the hotel operator and asked her to connect her with her residence in Paradise City. The operator said it would take only a few minutes.

Helga drank her coffee, lit a cigarette and waited, thinking of Grenville.

The telephone bell rang.

aI have your residence on the line, madame,a the operator said.

aHinkle?a Helga said excitedly.

aYes, Madame. I trust you are well.a She stifled a giggle. This was so like Hinkle.

aIam marvellous! I have news!a aIndeed, madame?a His fruity, bishopas voice came clearly to her. aIt would seem it is good news.a aI am in love, Hinkle!a There was a pause, then Hinkle said, aThat would appear to be excellent news, madame.a aI have found a man I want to marry!a Again a pause, then Hinkle said, aI trust this gentleman is worthy of you, madame.a She laughed.

aOh, Hinkle, donat be so stuffy! Heas marvellous! Now listen. I have arranged to have the Castagnola villa opened. I want to stay there for a week or two, so I can get to know Mr. Grenville better, do you understand?a aCertainly, madame, and you would like me to be with you.a aYes! Drop everything. Iave booked you a flight.a Picking up the paper on which she had made notes, she read out to him the flight number and time of departure.

aCertainly, madame. I will be at the Geneva airport the day after tomorrow at 22.30.a aMr. Grenville and I will be arriving a little later. Oh, Hinkle, Iam so happy!a She blew a kiss in the air.

aThen I am happy for you, madame.a She hung up.

Now for a car.

She called the Rolls-Royce agent in Lugano.

aI want a Rolls,a she said, after she had introduced herself.

aYou are fortunate, Madame Rolfe, we have just had delivery of the new Camargue. It is truly a magnificent car: two tone, silver and black.a aI want it! I shall be arriving at Geneva airport at 22.30 the day after tomorrow. Please contact Signor Transel, who is my agent in Lugano. He will arrange all that is necessary.a aThe car will be waiting for you, madame, at the airport.a Herman Rolfeas magic key!

Chris! Dear Chris! How she longed for him to be with her now! Two more days, and they would be utterly together, safe from the press, just he, she and Hinkle!

aRelax, Chris,a Archer said soothingly. aThings are going our way.a They were sitting in a shabby bistro on the rue de Canada.

aYou can say that!a Grenville said explosively, abut I have to live with her! G.o.d! She is now so possessive! She is like a female spider who eats her male!a aCome! come!a Archer spoke sharply. aYou and I will make a million each out of her. You must expect to work for it. So far you have done a wonderful job, but there is still more for you to do. Before she is completely hooked, she has to imagine you want to marry her.a Grenville stiffened.

aMarry her?a aI will leave it to you to convey the impression you want to be her husband,a Archer said. aI know Helga. She is lonely: she has fallen for you, and once she believes you will marry her, we have a hook in her that will not come out.a Grenville had already told him that Helga was taking him to the villa at Castagnola for two weeks and Archer was delighted.

aIt couldnat be more perfect. Thatas why I am telling you things are going our way. How well do I know that villa!a He eyed Grenville. aSo she has given you some money?a aShe forced it on me. She told me to go out and buy clothes!a aWell, you will need clothes. Donat sound so annoyed. After all, you did tell me you are a professional gigolo, didnat you?a Archer smiled. aHow much did she give you?a aA hundred thousand francs!a Archer nodded.

aHelga is always generous to her lovers. It is a little exaggerated, but after all, she is worth millions.a He paused, his eyes sharp. aI need money, Chris, if I am to carry out my plan. Suppose you give me fifty thousand?a aSuppose you tell me about this plan you keep hinting about?a Grenville demanded.

aYes, of course.a Archer sat back in his chair. aIt is really quite simple: all good plans should be simple. After three days in the Castagnola villa, and after you have convinced Helga you want to marry her, and after you have screwed her blind, if you will excuse the coa.r.s.e expression, you will be kidnapped and held to ransom, and the ransom will be two million dollars.a Grenville gaped at him.

aHave you gone out of your mind? Me? Kidnapped?a aThis will be a faked kidnapping, but the ransom wonat be faked,a Archer said. aI know Helga. Once you have convinced her you want to marry her, we have her exactly where we want her. Consider the situation. Everything is wonderful: love, marriage, no longer lonely. She will be spinning like a top, then suddenly you are kidnapped. If she doesnat pay two million dollars, she will never see you again. She has so much money, to get you back she wonat hesitate. We collect the two million: one for you and one for me. What do you think?a aWell, for G.o.das sake!a Grenville looked stunned. aSuppose she goes to the police?a aShe wonat. I a.s.sure you, I shall so frighten her that she will not go to the police. I know Helga. Sheall pay.a aSo, she pays, then what?a aAs soon as I have the money, we leave Switzerland. Again, I repeat I know Helga. Once she realizes she has been taken for a sucker, her pride wonat let her cry thief!a aHow will she pay this money?a Grenville asked.

aA good point. She and I are old enemies. Once you have been kidnapped, I shall call on her. It will give me the greatest pleasure. I have a numbered account in a private Swiss bank. She will pay this money to this account, and I shall transfer half to you.a aBut who is going to do the kidnapping?a Grenville asked uneasily.

aThat I am going to arrange. I have a good contact in Geneva. Donat worry about that.a Archer looked at his watch. aNow, give me fifty thousand francs. I must be on my way to Geneva in an hour.a Grenville hesitated, then took a bundle of French francs from his pocket. He gave Archer half the bundle and Archer stuffed the bills into his pocket.

aFrom Geneva, I shall go to Lugano,a Archer said. aI shall be staying at the Hotel de Suisse. Contact me there. Your job is to convince her you canat live without her. Leave everything else to me.a He smiled at Grenville. aKidnapping is very fashionable these days. She wonat be suspicious. When it happens, donat act brave. Put up a little show of resistance, but nothing more. It will happen unexpectedly. You will be taken from the villa, and after that, all you will have to do is to keep me company until we get the money.a aThis worries me,a Grenville said uneasily. aI have done a few shabby deals in the past, but Iave never gone so far as to do anything criminal.a aThis is not criminal, Chris.a Archer got to his feet. aThe police wonat come into it. Think what you will be able to do with a million dollars. With that kind of money you will be free of all those old, rich women. Love her, Chris: thatas your job. The more she needs you, the easier it will be to get the money from her.a Grenville drew in a deep breath.

aAll right. When will it be?a aThree days after you have settled in at the villa, but we will meet again before then. I will let you know what I have arranged.a Archer paused, his eyes turning bleak. aShe outsmarted me once, now it is my turn.a

chapter four.

Some two years ago, when Jack Archer had been a senior partner of a reputable firm of international lawyers in Lausanne, he had received a telephone call.

A harsh American voice said, aThis is Moses Seigal talking. You know me?a Archer always read the Herald Tribune, so he knew Moses Seigal was one of the important Mafia men, and was being hunted by the F.B.I. for tax evasion.

aYes, Mr. Seigal,a he said cautiously. aI have read about you.a aYeah. Now listen, I want your advice and Iall pay. A guy who gives advice to a guy as big as Herman Rolfe is my idea of a guy. Iall be at Bernieas restaurant, Geneva, at eight oaclock tomorrow night. You be there, and youall pick up some dough,a and he hung up.

For some minutes Archer hesitated. He knew Seigal was on the run, but he also knew the Mafia people were dangerous to refuse. So, without telling his partners, who would have been dismayed, he decided it might be profitable to himself personally, to talk to this man.

Bernieas restaurant was on a side street off Quai Gustave. It looked unimpressive, dark and shabby.

Entering, Archer had been greeted by a short, thickset, swarthy-looking man with a beard, who had told him Mr. Seigal was waiting.

The bearded man, introducing himself as Bernie, had taken Archer through the crowded restaurant to a room at the back where a fat, beetle-browed Italian was drinking Campari soda.

aOkay, Bernie,a the man growled. aGet us some of your swill. Iam in a hurry.a He waved Archer to a chair.

aI ainat got long,a he said as Archer settled himself. aIave got a load of hot money. I want to stash it. What do I do?a Bernie came in with two plates of spaghetti, drenched in tomato sauce, plonked them down and went away.

A little shaken, Archer said, aIn cash or bonds?a aIn cash.a Seigal began to attack the spaghetti, eating like an animal.

aI could arrange for you to have a numbered account in a reliable private bank,a Archer said.

aYeah. Thatas what I heard. Okay, you fix it. I got the money right here.a Seigal nodded to a battered suitcase by his side. aTwo and a half million bucks.a Archer flinched.

aYes, Mr. Seigal, I can arrange thata aYou get fifty thousand Swiss francs. Okay?a This would go straight into Archeras pocket. He had no intention of sharing it with his partners.

aThat is perfectly okay with me, Mr. Seigal.a aSo itas fixed, huh?a Seigal was eating as he talked. Spaghetti fell from his mouth, and Archer thought he was utterly revolting. aYou take the dough, huh?a He belched, then again crammed spaghetti into his mouth. aI had you investigated, Archer. Youare an all right guy, but if you think you can walk off with my dough, think again. My boys would take care of you.a aThereas no question of that,a Archer said stiffly. aLeave the money with me, and I will arrange it. Give me an address where I can send the account number.a Seigal nodded.

aTo my wife. Here.a He took out his billfold and produced a stack of Swiss francs and a card.

aThatas the address, and thereas your pay-off.a By now, he had almost demolished the spaghetti which Archer hadnat touched. He looked at his watch. aIave got to get moving.a Bernie came in.

aWant some more, Moses?a aHavenat the time. My G.o.dd.a.m.n plane is about to take off. Hey, Bernie, look at this guy. His name is Jack Archer. Heas taking care of my money. He does me a favour: you do him a favour, huh?a Turning to Archer, he went on. aBernie is Mr. Fix-it in this town. Anything you want done, talk to him: heall fix it. Right, Bernie?a aIf you say so, Moses, it is so,a Bernie said.

And Archer remembered.

Leaving Geneva airport, he told the taxi driver to take him to Bernieas restaurant. As he sat in the taxi, he remembered how he had taken the two and a half million dollars to a bank and had deposited them.

The director of the bank knew him, so there was no problem. He had sent the number of the account to Seigal's wife. Two months later, he read in the Herald Tribune that Moses Seigal had been shot to death.

Paying off the taxi, Archer walked into the shabby restaurant. There was Bernie, standing behind the bar, slightly older, slightly heavier, who recognized him and came to him, offering a hard, sweaty hand.

aMr. Archer!a ah.e.l.lo, Bernie.a aCome and have some spaghetti.a Bernie led Archer into the back room. aAnd a bottle of Valpolicella,a and he went away.