1968 - An Ear to the Ground (14 page)

The bigger of the two was an immense Negro, standing well over six feet with shoulders like a barn door. His shaven head was glistening with sweat, his flat features were coarse and brutal. Known as Jumbo, he was regarded with terror in the slum district in which he lived. The other was Hank Borg, a sniffer, white, thin, not more than twenty years of age, his pinched rat-like face pitted with acne. He held a .38 automatic in his hand and his snake’s eye glistened with an insane fever.

Henry felt a cold wave of fear like icy water run over him. The size of this gigantic Negro horrified him.

With one swift movement, Johnny grabbed the briefcase and stood up. Looking at him, Henry saw there was a thin circle of white around Johnny’s mouth. Johnny backed away, watching Hank.

‘Go ahead and shoot, creep,’ he said softly. ‘Abe will love it.’

Hank said in a snarling whisper, ‘I’ll bust your goddamn leg. Put that case back on the table.’

Johnny continued to back away. He was now away from the desk and had space to manoeuvre.

‘Take it easy, Colonel,’ he said. ‘The junkie daren’t shoot. He’s bluffing.’

Hank looked uneasily at the Negro.

‘Take him . . . we’re wasting time.’

The enormous Negro’s brutal face split into a sneering grin.

‘Come on, little man, hand it over.’

Johnny dropped the briefcase on the floor beside him.

‘Come and get it,’ he said, standing motionless, his hands hanging by his sides.

The Negro had to pass Henry and come around the desk to reach Johnny. He moved very swiftly. Henry, his old heart beating violently, slid out his long leg as the Negro swept past him. His Mexican booted foot caught the Negro’s ankle.

The Negro stumbled, struggled to regain his balance as Johnny was on him, fingers laced, smashed down on the back of the Negro’s neck, driving him to his knees. Johnny jumped back and kicked the Negro on the side of the face. The Negro’s skin burst under the impact like an overripe tomato dropped on the floor and blood splashed on Johnny’s shoe.

The Negro grunted, shook his head and began to heave himself up, blood pouring down his face. Johnny waited until the dazed giant was on his knees, then he struck him a vicious karate blow on the side of his thick neck. The Negro’s eyes rolled back and he flattened out on Abe’s shabby carpet.

Johnny turned and looked at Hank who was backing away.

‘Get out!’ he said softly.

Hank turned and fled.

Johnny looked down at the bleeding Negro, then he looked at Henry.

‘You all right?’

Henry was pressing his hand hard to his heart. He was breathing unevenly. These brief moments of violence had shaken him, but he nodded.

‘Sure?’

‘Yes . . . I’m all right.’

Johnny grinned.

‘You’ve got guts, Colonel. I said it before and I’ll say it again. That foot work of yours needed nerve. You handed this ape to me on a plate.’

He caught hold of Jumbo’s right ankle and dragged him out of the office, across the corridor to the top of the stairs.

Then with a vicious kick, he propelled the great body down the long flight of stairs to land with a crash on the lower landing.

Abe, concealed by the bend of the corridor, watched this with his eyes bulging out of his head. When he was sure Johnny had returned to the office, he went up to Jumbo, slapped his face and dragged him upright.

Jumbo moaned, shaking his head.

‘Get the hell out of here, you useless jerk!’ Abe snarled, then he went to the elevator and took it to the ground floor, knowing now he just had to raise credit from somewhere.

Three hours and five minutes later, he returned to the office, an oily smile on his fat face. He placed a briefcase on the desk.

‘All fixed, Johnny. It was tricky, but I got you your money,’ he said. ‘Go ahead and count it.’

Johnny opened the briefcase, divided the money, giving Henry half. They counted it. The sum was for one hundred thousand dollars in $50 bills.

‘Fine,’ Johnny said. He pushed two of the wash-leather bags over to Abe. Then he opened the third and took from it a treble rope of pearls. These he dropped into his pocket, then tossed the bag over to Abe.

‘Hey! What do you think you are doing?’ Abe exclaimed. ‘I’ve just bought those pearls!’

‘No, you haven’t. This is treachery money. I warned you not to play tricks,’ Johnny said. He walked over to Abe who cowered away from him. ‘The next time you pull a stunt like that on me, I’ll break your neck.’ He moved to the door, nodding to Henry. ‘Let’s go, Colonel.’

Not looking at Abe, Henry followed him to the elevator.

***

In the meantime, Lisa and Harry had returned home. Although Lisa looked better for the sea trip, she was still in pain.

The new drugs had done little for her. She was still short tempered and kept picking on Harry because he hadn’t sold the Texan.

But by now, Harry was past caring about Lisa’s criticisms. He had had three unforgettable days and two unforgettable nights with Tania, that alone was worth anything that Lisa threw at him.

He also knew that in two days’ time there was to be the annual general meeting of the Cohen Self-Service Stores in San Francisco. Lisa always attended this meeting, and Harry felt that he could duck out of it since he had been away from the office for so long. But it wasn’t to be. Optimistically, he had already alerted Tania that he would be free for two nights so when Lisa announced that she didn’t feel well enough to attend the meeting and that Harry must go as her representative. Harry nearly blew his stack. But he had no argument nor excuse to duck out, so he had to go.

That night, he sneaked out of the house and went with Tania to the apartment. He broke the news to her.

Tania nodded gravely.

‘It is destiny, Harry. Do you believe in destiny?’

‘Sure,’ Harry said. He wasn’t interested in destiny right at this moment. ‘It’s stinking bad luck. Anyway, there it is. I have to go.’

‘And she will be alone . . . with her nurse?’

‘And all the other servants . . . you don’t have to bother your head about her.’

‘She’ll go to bed at ten-thirty as you told me she always does with a sleeping pill, I suppose?’ Tania said, not looking at him. ‘It’s sad for her, isn’t it?’

‘Oh, forget it.’ Harry put his arm around her. ‘Let me tell you something . . . you are looking very overdressed.’

Tania smiled.

‘That can be arranged very quickly . . . she won’t have friends while you are away?’

‘No. When she entertains, I have to be there. Now come on, Tania! Get those clothes off.’

Harry returned around two o’clock in the morning to the house. He let himself in and moved silently to his room. Then he had a shock that sent a cold wave of blood rushing up his spine. At the far end of the corridor, he saw Lisa’s bedroom door was open and the light was on.

‘Harry?’ The hard querulous voice struck terror in Harry’s heart.

He braced himself and walked slowly down the corridor and paused in Lisa’s doorway.

She was propped up in bed. A copy of War and Peace lay by her side. Her pinched, pain-ridden face was pale, her big eyes glittering.

‘Where have you been?’

Harry realised unless he could bluff his way out of this situation, he was in serious trouble.

‘Why, Lisa,’ he said, coming into the room and closing the door. ‘Why aren’t you asleep? Are you in pain?’

‘Where have you been?’

‘I couldn’t sleep. I went for a walk.’ He came to the bed and sat by her.

‘A walk? At this time . . . it’s after two. I don’t believe you!’

‘Lisa . . . please . . .’ Harry forced a smile, aware sweat was running down his back. ‘You have enough problems of your own. I haven’t told you. . . I sleep badly. I have things on my mind. . . I find when I can’t sleep, the best thing to do is to get up, dress and take a walk. . . then when I come back I do sleep.’

Her glittering eyes were suspicious.

‘Have you found a whore?’ she demanded and the viciousness in her voice chilled Harry’s blood.

God! This is dangerous! he thought.

‘Lisa . . . how could you say such a thing?’ He had to convince her and although his hypocrisy sickened him, he continued, as he leaned forward, forcing his eyes to meet hers, ‘You and I are in this mess together. It is a mess. . . it’s not what marriage should be, but because of you, I have accepted the situation. There is no other woman in my life except you. If you can’t believe this, then I have failed you. I have told you before and I’m telling you again, that first time when you and I made love was the best ever. So wonderful, I can live with it now and for always.’

Hearing himself say these words, Harry was ashamed of himself, but he was so frightened he let his lies flow.

She regarded him for a long, shattering moment, then she shrugged.

‘All right, Harry, I understand. Get some sleep now. You have two busy days ahead of you.’

Harry got slowly to his feet, scarcely believing she had accepted his story and wishing she didn’t continue to stare at him so suspiciously.

‘Yes . . . I’m sure to sleep now.’

As he reached the door, feeling he had saved the situation, she said, ‘Harry. . .’

He paused, his heart thumping.

‘Yes, darling?’

‘Please don’t go out walking again. It has upset me so. When I telephoned your room and got no answer, I was frightened. If you can’t sleep, please come and talk to me. Will you?’

With a sinking heart, realising the trap he had walked into, Harry nodded.

‘Of course, darling, I won’t do it again.’

***

Martha and Gilda were on the terrace when Henry came slowly across the blue and white tiles.

‘Well, what happened?’ Martha demanded. ‘Did you get the money?’

Henry sank into a chair. He was still feeling shaken.

‘Gilda, my dear, would you get me a strong whisky?’

Seeing his grey, drawn face, Gilda went swiftly across the lounge to the bar.

‘Did you get the money?’ Martha banged her small, fat fist on the bamboo table.

‘Johnny’s got it.’

‘Johnny?’ Martha’s voice went up a note. ‘Where is he?’

‘In his room.’

‘So Johnny’s got it!’ Martha shifted her bulk in the chair, making it creak. ‘So you can’t handle him! It’s a wonder I don’t have a stroke!’

‘Calm yourself. I would never have got it. At least, we have something,’ Henry said, hesitated, then went on, ‘Martha . . .I’ve been thinking . . . we’re getting too old for this racket.’

‘You mean you’re getting too old!’ Martha snorted. ‘I’m not!’

Gilda came out, carrying a stiff whisky and soda.

‘Thank you, my dear,’ Henry said, taking the glass from her. He swallowed half its contents, then set the glass down and touched his lips with his handkerchief.

‘Stop acting like a goddamn ham!’ Martha shouted. ‘What happened?’

Henry told her.

‘The fact is, Martha, we wouldn’t have got a dime if it hadn’t been for Johnny. Abe was going to twist us. Those two thugs could have walked out with all the stuff and Abe would have sworn he knew nothing about them.’

This news shook Martha. Her fat flesh quivered.

‘I thought we could trust Abe.’

‘Can we trust anyone?’

Johnny came out on to the terrace. He tossed a bundle of $50 bills on the table.

‘There you are . . . sixty-six thousand, six hundred and sixty-seven bucks. Share it among yourselves. I’ve taken my share.’

‘How about that pearl necklace?’ Martha snapped.

Johnny grinned at her.

‘That’s danger money. . . I’m keeping it.’ He went over to a chair and sat down. ‘Now look . . . what you three don’t seem to realise is that you are in big time, but you are small timers. This is a rough, tough racket. It all falls on me, so I get the major share.’

Martha began to explode, but a look from Henry stopped her.

Henry said quietly, ‘Yes, I follow your argument, Johnny, but let us be fair. This was Martha’s brainwave. She has produced the brains and . . . I admit it. . . you the brawn. I think we should split the value of the pearls between us.’

Johnny threw back his head and laughed.

‘Who are you kidding? Who haggled with Abe? Who handled that black ape? Who got the jewels anyway? Okay, it was her idea, but any dope can dream up an idea, but that doesn’t mean he can carry it out. None of you could have swung this job and got a hundred grand out of Abe if I hadn’t handled it. . . so shut up!’ He turned to look at Gilda. ‘Do you want to eat out? I need a change. There’s a sea food restaurant I fancy. . . want to come along?’

Gilda stared with startled surprise, but she got quickly to her feet.

‘Yes . . . I would like that.’

‘Okay. Throw some clothes on and we’ll go.’

Her face slightly flushed, Gilda hurried away to her room.

He’s nibbling at the bait, she thought happily as she slipped out of her bikini. Play it cool, baby, and you’ll land him.

On the terrace, Johnny lit a cigarette.

‘The day after tomorrow,’ he said, ‘I’ll take a look at the Crails’ house. I guess I can get in if I wear that electrician’s uniform. Nothing like a uniform to fool the suspicious. Then we’ll do the job. It’s worth six hundred and fifty grand. I’ll sell the stuff to Bernie Baum. I’ve had enough of Abe. Bernie can have it for three hundred. He’ll jump at it for that price. That’s two hundred grand for you three.’

‘Who the hell do you think you are?’ Martha screamed furiously. ‘I make the plans! Henry fixes the prices!’

‘Oh, shut up, Fatso,’ Johnny said. ‘I’m handling this. Neither of you have a hope of dealing with Baum. You’re too old!’

Seeing Martha was about to explode, Henry said quietly, ‘He’s right, Martha. Okay, Johnny, we leave it to you.’

Martha was so angry she couldn’t trust herself to speak. She sat there, her fat flesh quivering.

Gilda came out on to the terrace. She was wearing a simple blue frock. She looked cool and lovely. Johnny regarded her and Gilda thought there could be sudden interest in his eyes.

They went off together in the Cadillac.

‘Got your money yet?’ Johnny asked as he sent the big car fast along the beach road.