I Hold the Four Aces Part 7

Hinkle served coffee and brandy and then cleared the table.

aHinkle! Go to bed!a Helga said. aWe have everything we need. Mr. Grenville will lock up. You must be very tired.a aThank you, madame, if you are sure there is nothing further, then I will retire.a aNothing, and thank you for a wonderful dinner. Have a good nightas rest.a aAnd I trust you will too, madame,a Hinkle said and carried the tray into the kitchen.

aI really donat know what I would do without him,a Helga said. aHe is part of my life.a aYes.a Grenville lit a cigarette. aI can well imagine.a There was a pause, then Helga said, aLet us now talk seriously about ourselves, Chris. Let us be absolutely frank. I will begin. I married Herman for what I could get out of him. He was a cripple and impotent with not a shred of kindness in him. He wanted a good-looking, clever hostess to run his various establishments, and I fitted his requirements. There was to be no cheating, but I did cheat. I have this thing which is a curse. I need a man.a She smiled at him and patted his hand. aI am so sick of sordid affairs I want a permanent man. I have never been in love before, but I am n o w . with you.a Startled by her frankness, Grenville said, aI love you too, Helga, but there is this thing in me that will not allow me to live on a woman. You are too rich.a aAll right, I have to respect that,a Helga said. aNow tell me something: if I gave all my money away, would you marry me?a Grenville stared at her.

aBut you couldnat possibly do such a thing!a aNever mind what I could or couldnat do!a Again there was a snap in her voice. aThe question is would you marry me if I had the same amount of money as you had?a Again feeling trapped, Grenville touched her hand.

aOf course I would.a She smiled at him.

aDonat look so worried. I am not going to do anything so stupid as to give away my husbandas magic key. It unlocks so many doors. So, as I donat intend to descend to your financial level, you must ascend to mine. If you were worth five million dollars which you had earned and which belonged to you, would you marry me?a Grenville ran his fingers through his hair.

aHelga! Do stop this! I could never make five million dollars!a aI will show you how you could make them.a Grenville stared incredulously at her.

aHow?a aBy using your talents. I will make you a senior partner in my corporation. We are setting up a factory in France, and then in Germany. With your flair, your appearance and your languages you could handle the deals. You would have accountants, experts and a.s.sistants, but you would control the deals. You would become a stockholder, and you would be on a percentage basis. I promise you, this would be no gift. You will earn every dollar you make, but I know, in three or four yearsa time, you would be worth five million dollars. I would lend you this money at six per cent interest. It would be yours.a She smiled at him. aWe could get married tomorrow.a The very thought of working in an office with Helga, driving him on, with accountants and experts crowding him, made Grenville inwardly shudder.

aItas wonderful of you, Helga, but frankly, I couldnat cope. Itas not my thing,a he said earnestly. aIt is a marvellous offer, butaa aOf course, you could cope with it!a There was now steel in Helgaas voice. aYou would have me behind you, and the whole of my organization. We could have marvellous fun.a Then Grenville remembered Archeras advice: love her.

aThis is terribly exciting, Helga.a He got to his feet. aWould you let me think about it? May we sleep on it? Iam almost convinced, as long as you would be with me to help me, but seeing you, in the moonlight, looking so lovely, I want to love you.a aOh, Chris!a Helga gave him her hand. aYes, letas make love.a He put his arm around her, and together they walked across the terrace into the living-room.

aDarling, will you close the shutters? Iall be waiting for you. Hurry!a As Grenville wound down the shutters, Helga walked happily to her bedroom.

At exactly 08.30, the following morning, Hinkle entered Helgaas bedroom, pushing the breakfast trolley before him. As he began to draw the curtains, Helga came awake, and immediately became aware that Grenville was not at her side.

aWhere is Mr. Grenville?a she asked sharply.

aHe is taking a swim, madame.a aOh.a Helga relaxed. She sat up in bed and fluffed up her hair. aCoffee! You are always so punctual, Hinkle.a aYes, madame. It is a beautiful morning. I trust you slept well.a Helga laughed.

aMarvellously!a Hinkle pushed the trolley to the bedside.

aWill you be in for lunch, madame?a aNo. We are going into the mountains and we wonat be back until four or five. If we could have an omelette for dinner?a aCertainly, madame.a He left her, and Helga drank her coffee, thinking about Grenville. His love-making had been marvellous. She felt sure now that she could persuade him to take an important position in her corporation. She wouldnat want to be married in Lugano. She would want the marriage to take place in Paradise City. To launch Grenville, it would have to be a big affair, and the thought thrilled her.

They would fly to Paradise City at the end of the week. The announcement would be made. There would be a lot to arrange. She wondered how Loman and Winborn would react. Then she frowned. She suddenly remembered she had gone off with Chris without telling Winborn or Loman where she was!

She also remembered she had left most of her clothes at the Plaza Athenee Hotel.

Winborn might even imagine she had been kidnapped! Jumping out of bed, she took a quick shower and then slipped into a trouser suit.

As she left the bedroom, Grenville, wrapped in a towel, came towards her.

aDarling!a Helga ran to him and they kissed. aDid you have a lovely swim?a aMarvellous.a aIave just remembered. I havenat told my people I am here. Ask Hinkle for coffee and sit on the terrace. I wonat be long.a Leaving him, she went into the living-room and reached for the telephone.

Grenville went to his bedroom and put on slacks and a polo neck sweater, then went out onto the terrace.

aTea or coffee, sir?a Hinkle asked, suddenly appearing.

aCoffee please, nothing else.a Grenville sat down. Faintly, he could hear Helga talking on the telephone. He must gain a little time, he told himself. He must see Archer. But how?

While swimming, he had considered Helgaas proposal. He was sure, even in four yearsa time, he would not be capable of earning five million dollars. No, he must first try for the million dollars Archer was promising him. If that didnat work, then maybe he would have to think again, but, first, he must see Archer.

Hinkle brought the coffee.

aIs there a golf course near here?a Grenville asked.

aYes, sir: a reasonable one, I understand. It is at Ponte Tresa. I have a map if you would care to look at it.a aThanks, I would.a He had finished his coffee and had studied the map before Helga appeared. She looked irritated.

aIam going to be held up,a she said, sitting by his side. aMy stupid people are making a mess of buying the site at Versailles.a She put her hand on his. aThatas why you are going to be so important to me. You and I, working together, wonat make a mess! I was planning to go into the mountains, but, now I must stay here for more telephone calls.a Here was Grenvilleas chance.

aI understand.a He smiled at her. aHelga, darling, about last nightas talk. May I have just a little time? Would you mind if I have a game of golf? When playing golf, I think better than at any other time, and I will be back with an answer.a He smiled. aI think the answer must be yes.a Helga, her mind now occupied with business, nodded.

aGo ahead, darling. Take the Rolls. When do I see you?a aIall be back around three oaclock. Will that be all right?a aOf course. But your clubs, donat you need clubs to play golf?a Grenville laughed.

aThe pro will lend me a set.a He got to his feet, bent and kissed her. aIall get off.a She watched him leave, disappointed. She would have liked him to have stayed with her, to be able to consult him, to get his views on the difficulties that had arisen, and to be able to a.s.sess his thinking, but, she told herself, there was time.

Standing on the terrace, she watched him drive away in the Rolls, then she went to her bedroom where Hinkle had just finished making the bed.

aWould it bother you to give me something light for lunch, Hinkle?a she asked. aI have phone calls to make and Mr. Grenville is going to play golf and wonat be back until after lunch.a aCertainly, madame. I suggest a grilled sole.a aYes.a She wandered restlessly around the bedroom. aHinkle! I really love him! Iam trying to persuade him to take a position in the firm, but he is so correct. If I can persuade him, we will marry.a aIf that would make you happy, madame,a Hinkle said, in his disapproving voice, and went into the bathroom.

The telephone bell began to ring, and for the next three hours Helga was engrossed in the affairs of the Herman Rolfe Electronic Corporation.

chapter five.

Sitting in the shabby lounge of the Hotel de Suisse, Archer thought back on the previous day. He had been busy and was satisfied. He had rented a Mercedes from the Avis people, then had gone around talking to the various estate agents until he had found a small wooden villa on the outskirts of Paradiso which is a continuation of Lugano. It was a modest place and he had been forced to rent it for a month, but it would act admirably, he told himself, as a hide-out for Grenville.

Tomorrow at 14.00, Segetti and Belmont would arrive. He would drive them to Helgaas villa so that they would know where to find it and then to the rented villa. Tomorrow night the kidnapping would take place.

Archer nodded to himself. As long as Grenville had taken care of Helga, Archer could see no reason why, in a few days, he wouldnat be worth a million dollars. It was, he thought, a well worked-out plan, but everything depended on how well Grenville had done his homework.

Glancing through the dirty gla.s.s doors of the hotel that led into the street, he saw a silver and black Rolls-Royce pull up and Grenville about to get out.

Jumping to his feet, Archer hurried from the hotel, and Grenville, seeing him, opened the off-side door. Archer got into the car and Grenville set it moving.

aWhat a magnificent car!a Archer exclaimed, and a wave of envy ran through him. He thought if it hadnat been for Helga, by now he might just possibly have been able to buy such a car.

aI have to talk to you!a The sharp note in Grenvilleas voice made Archer look quickly at him.

aIs something wrong?a aThis woman is suffocating me! Sheas driving me crazy!a Grenville snapped. He edged the car through the heavy traffic until they came to the lake. He looked for parking s.p.a.ce, but, in Lugano, parking s.p.a.ce was practically non-existent. Muttering under his breath, he continued on, until he found a s.p.a.ce with a no-parking sign. He pulled in and turned off the engine. aShe now wants me to work in her firm! Can you imagine? Sheas determined to marry me! She says she will loan me five million dollars so I wonat be living on her! Who in his right mind would want to work for her? She would never leave me alone! When I wasnat s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g her, Iad be at a desk!a Archer drew in a deep breath. If only such an offer had been made to him, he thought. How he would have jumped at it! A loan of five million dollars, and the opportunity to work with the Herman Rolfe Electronic Corporation! He regarded Grenville and suddenly had complete contempt for him. He was, indeed, a gigolo, afraid to work, afraid of responsibility.

aYes, I understand your feelings,a he said quietly. aBut there is no need to get worked up, Chris. How have you left it?a aI told her I wanted to think it over,a Grenville said sullenly. aI said I thought best when I was playing golf. It was the only thing I could think of to get away from her. She is caught up with some dreary business about buying a site in Versailles so she let me go.a He banged his clenched fist on the driving wheel. aShe would marry me tomorrow if I agree to work for her!a aBut thatas what we want her to think, Chris,a Archer said patiently. aYou are taking this far too seriously. There is no chance of you two getting married. You have done very well. Keep it up. When you go back, tell her you will work for her and the sooner you can marry her, the happier you will be.a Grenville took out his cigarette case and lit a cigarette.

aThe thought of being married to her makes my blood run cold. Are you sure it is going to be all right? When can you get me away from her?a Again Archer regarded him, feeling contempt. What would he give to change places with this handsome, useless dummy?

aTomorrow night you will be kidnapped and your worries will be over,a he said. aThings are very definitely going our way.a aI hope they are. You have no idea how possessive and domineering she is! Iave never met such a woman.a aDo try and relax,a Archer said soothingly. aEverything is arranged. Tomorrow night at ten oaclock, two men will arrive, wearing hoods and carrying guns. They will threaten you both. You should put up a very minor show of resistance, but donat overdo it, as these two are amateurs. Go with them. They will leave Helga a note which I have prepared. I will coach them what to say to her. I a.s.sure you they will say enough to stop her calling the police. They will drive you to a villa I have rented and I will pay them off and then I will take over. I a.s.sure you, in less than a week, you will be worth a million dollars. It is really as simple as that.a Grenville stubbed out his cigarette in the ash-tray.

aBut what about Hinkle?a aYes, thereas Hinkle.a Archer frowned. aWhat time does he go to bed?a aG.o.d knows! Last night Helga sent him to bed after dinner.a aTo be on the safe side, we will make the kidnapping at eleven oaclock. Suggest Hinkle leaves you two alone.a aHe may stay up.a aThen one of my men must take care of him. And another thing, Chris, you must unlock the front door. I know the villa. There is no way to get in except through the front door. There is a loo in the vestibule. Excuse yourself, once you know Hinkle is out of the way, then unlock the front door, understand?a Grenville nodded.

There came a tap on the car window and both men looked around. A policeman in a white helmet, brown uniform and jackboots was looking at them.

Exasperated and nervy, Grenville pressed the b.u.t.ton to lower the window.

aWhat is it?a he barked in Italian.

aYou are in a no-parking zone, sir,a the policeman said. aI am giving you a ticket.a aTo h.e.l.l with that!a Grenville snapped. aThere are no parking places in this stupid town! You people should get parking properly organized!a Archer, who had lived in Switzerland for a long time and knew how touchy the Swiss police were, was horrified.

The policeman as eyes hardened.

aYour papers, sir.a aOh, for G.o.das sake!a Grenville opened the glove compartment and gave the policeman the caras papers.

After taking some time examining the papers, the policeman again regarded Grenville.

aThis is not your car?a aYou can read, canat you?a Grenville snapped. aThe car is owned by Madame Herman Rolfe. You may possibly have heard of her. She lent me the car.a The policeman as face became stony.

aYour pa.s.sport, sir.a As Grenville travelled so much, he always carried his pa.s.sport with him. He handed it to the policeman.

Then Archer made a stupid mistake. He intervened. Taking out his wallet, he produced one of his old business cards, giving his name and the address of his late firm of international lawyers.

aAs you will see, officer,a he said in his smoothest manner, aMr. Grenville is English and is not used to continental regulations. I a.s.sure you, Madame Rolfe has lent him this car. He is staying with her as her guest.a The policeman studied the card, then handed it back. He returned the car papers and the pa.s.sport to Grenville.

aPlease donat park in a no-parking zone in the future, sir,a he said, saluted and motioned Grenville to drive on.

As the Rolls drifted away, the policeman, who had an excellent memory, began to write in his notebook. He was puzzled that a man so shabbily dressed as Archer was could claim to be an international lawyer.

aThe b.a.s.t.a.r.d!a Grenville muttered as he continued on along the lake road.

aFor goodness sake, Chris!a Archer said nervously. aYou canat talk that way to a Swiss policeman. That was very stupid of you.a aTo h.e.l.l with him!a He pulled into the parking lot of the Eden Hotel.

aLetas have a drink.a The two men walked onto the terrace and took an isolated table. They sat down and Grenville ordered two gin martinis.

aNow look, Jack, this has to come right,a he said. aTell me about these men who are going to kidnap me. Are you sure they are reliable?a Archer waited until the drinks arrived, then he began to talk.

Grenville returned to the villa a little after 15.00, feeling relaxed. Archer had convinced him that in a few days he would own a million dollars with no strings attached. He had played nine holes with the pro and had beaten him so easily that the pro had generously said that Grenville was the best golfer he had ever played with and that pleased Grenville.

He drove the Rolls into the garage and then entered the villa. As he closed the front door, he could hear Helga talking on the telephone, so he went to his bedroom, took a shower, changed, then wandered into the living-room.

Helga was wearing her hard expression, but it softened at the sight of him.

aWhat a morning!a she said. aThese fools! They have been driving me out of my mind!a She pushed aside a ma.s.s of papers spread out on the desk and getting to her feet, she ran to him and kissed him. aDear Chris! Tell me the answer, tell me it is yes!a aIt is yes,a Grenville said and picking her up, he carried her into her bedroom and kicked the door shut. aAnd we will have an immediate dress rehearsal.a aYouall shock Hinkle!a Helga said, but she was already slipping out of her trouser suit.

aTo h.e.l.l with Hinkle! I have myself a wife.a Ten minutes later, lying side by side, naked on the bed, Helga, ecstatically happy, began to tell Grenville about her wedding plans.

aWe will go to Paradise City. I have a wonderful place there on an island. Itas perfect. There is a cottage which you can have while I make the announcement. It must be a big, big wedding, Chris! There are so many important people and their wives, my executives and people we deal with who must be invited.a Grenville cringed at the thought, but he gently stroked her hand.

aI am the luckiest man in the world,a he said, thinking by tomorrow evening he would be free of her, never see her again, and own a million dollars.

A gentle tap sounded on the door and Hinkle said through the door, aMr. Winborn is on the telephone, madame.a He spoke in his doleful, disapproving voice.

aOh, d.a.m.n the man!a Helga said furiously, but she s.n.a.t.c.hed up the telephone receiver by the bed.

aWhat is it, Stanley?a She listened, then said, aNo! We will not pay a dollar more! This is a try-on! For G.o.das sake, Stanley, canat you handle this instead of bothering me. Iam trying to relax.a Grenville slid off the bed and went into the bathroom. G.o.d! he thought, to be married to this commercial machine! She was still talking when, dressed, he wandered out onto the terrace.

aSome tea, sir?a Hinkle asked, appearing.

aA double whisky and soda,a Grenville said and sat down.

Helga didnat appear for half an hour.

aI want to tell you about this deal, Chris,a she said, sitting by his side. aYou will be handling it. It is going to be big and the French government are trying to be greedy. Let me begin from the beginning.a For the next hour, Grenville nearly went crazy with boredom while Helga talked figures, costs, loans, interest rates and so on. Somehow, he managed to keep an intelligent expression and nod from time to time, but the crunch came when she paused and said, aNow you know the setup, Chris. What is your opinion?a Grenville flinched. He had no opinion because he had scarcely listened to what she had been saying and even if he had been listening, all this financial talk meant nothing to him.

aBefore expressing an opinion, Helga,a he said carefully, aI would like to study the papers and the figures. Would that be possible? Iave warned you Iam green about finance, but I think I could be a bit intelligent if I had a couple of hours looking at the plans and the figures.a Helga, looking disappointed, nodded.

aAll right, Chris. Iall get Winborn to fly copies of the contract and figures down here right away. I can see your point.a She reached for the telephone at her side and called Paris as Hinkle arrived with a shaker of vodka martini and gla.s.ses.

Grenville thought: at least, Iave gained time!

As Hinkle poured the drinks, Helga spoke to Winbornas secretary and told her to send copies of the Versailles contract and the figures immediately.

aI want it by tomorrow,a she snapped and hung up.

aWill you be dining in, madame?a Hinkle asked.

aLetas go out, darling,a Grenville said hurriedly. He felt he had to get away from the villa and away from financial talk. aIsnat there somewhere amusing where we could eat?a aOf course. Thatas a good idea. We will go to Huguenin: it is simple, but good. No, Hinkle, we will go out.a When Hinkle had left the terrace, Grenville, anxious to get Helgaas mind off business, began asking questions about her Paradise City home. Helga was happy to give him a description of the house and time moved swiftly. A little after 20.00, she went to her bedroom to change and Grenville remained on the terrace. Another twenty-seven hours, he thought.

After a good Italian-style dinner, they wandered, hand in hand, along the lakeside. Helga was now relaxed, her mind at ease. This man was going to be her husband! She kept looking at him, admiring his tall, lean figure and his handsome face. She thought of the excitement of the wedding preparations. What a surprise it would be for Loman and Winborn! She wondered when she should tell them. She decided it would be wise to hold back the news until they had met Grenville and until she had told them that he would be a senior partner. She imagined they wouldnat be happy about this, but there was nothing they could do about it! She was in complete control of the corporation, holding seventy-five per cent of the shares. The other directors would also raise their eyebrows, but to h.e.l.l with them! It was a little disappointing that this tall, handsome man hadnat shown any real interest in the corporation as yet, but she mustnat rush him. Working with him, she was sure she could ignite his interest.

She realized she was neglecting him so she asked about his game of golf.

Grenville too had been wandering along, thinking of tomorrow nightas kidnapping, still a little uneasy about the results. He began to tell her about his game of golf with the pro, and like most golfers, he gave her a blow-by-blow account of his game, which rapidly bored Helga who thought golf a complete waste of time, but she simulated interest and said, aBravo!a when Grenville concluded by saying he had thoroughly beaten the pro.

Returning to the villa, they found Hinkle waiting up for them.

aNow, Hinkle,a Helga said firmly, ain the future, after dinner, you must go to your room. I know you like TV. If there is anything I want, I will ring for you, but I do not want you to wait up for us. Is that understood?a Hinkle inclined his head.

aVery well, madame, if that is your wish.a aMr. Grenville will lock up. So after dinner, please relax.a Listening to this, Grenville drew in a sigh of relief. Maybe Archer was right when he had said everything was going their way.

Grenville came awake soon after 07.00. Helga, by his side, was sleeping.

This was the day, Grenville thought, but he had to get through twenty-two hours before he was liberated. He was sure those awful papers and accounts would arrive in a few hours. Then Helga would expect him to study them and then express an opinion. This he couldnat face. His only escape was to feign illness. This was nothing new to him. Time and again, when he could no longer bear the company of his various old women, he had pleaded migraine. It was a certain winner.