1944 - Just the Way It Is

by James Hadley Chase

  ‘I see,’ Joe stood up and moved away from her. ‘You’ve made rather a mess of it, haven’t you?’

  ‘Don’t be a heel, Joe,’ she said. ‘It wasn’t my fault any more than it was yours that Casy had a gun. We’re just not getting the breaks.’

  ‘Who killed him?’ Joe asked. ‘Spade?’

  ‘I don’t know. He was dead when I got into the room. He’d been knifed.’

  Joe turned suddenly. ‘Well, what do we do now? We don’t get anywhere.’

  Lorelli jumped to her feet. ‘Why don’t you get out and leave it alone if you don’t like the way it’s going?’

  ‘Shut up!’ Joe said.

  There was a pause, then Lorelli said, ‘I’m going to work with Harry Duke. We talked it over tonight. He knows a lot and he’s going to get somewhere. I’d back Duke against Spade.’

  Joe stared at her. ‘You’ve been talking to Duke?’ he said, in a thin voice.

  ‘He’s been talking to me,’ Lorelli said, hastily, not liking the look in Joe’s eyes. ‘I thought you and me might join up with

  him.’

  Joe hesitated. ‘If Paul ever heard. . .’ he stopped, looking at her.

  ‘You’re not going to tell him, are you?’

  Joe shook his head. ‘No,’ he said. ‘Why should I?’ He moved about the room restlessly. ‘So Harry Duke’s in this now?’ he went on. It seemed to worry him.

  Lorelli went back to the divan and sat watching him. She was almost sorry she had told him.

  ‘First Bellman,’ Joe said, half to himself. ‘Then Spade, then Schultz, then you and me and now Duke.’ He leaned against the wall and looked at her. ‘Timson, Kells and probably Casy. Everyone knows about it.’

  ‘But they don’t,’ Lorelli said. ‘You’re making a fuss about nothing. They’ve only got on to the fringe of it. What do we know, if it comes to that?’

  ‘The point is,’ Joe said, reasoning to himself, ‘is there anything there? That’s what I’m trying to get at. Or is the whole thing phoney? We only know what Schultz said to Spade. It doesn’t seem as if we’re getting any further than that.’

  Lorelli said quietly, ‘If we could make Schultz talk.’

  ‘Ah,’ Joe nodded. ‘That might be something.’ His face became stony. ‘I think I could make him talk.’ He screwed up his eyes, thinking. ‘Where is he, anyway?’

  Lorelli shook her head. ‘He hasn’t been back all day,’ she said, looking at the clock. It was after eleven. ‘He didn’t say he’d be late.’

  Joe sat down. He felt tired and his head ached. ‘I couldn’t take him tonight,’ he said, feeling his wrist gently. ‘He won’t be easy.’ He yawned and ran his fingers through his close-cropped hair. ‘We’d have to kill him after, I suppose.’

  Lorelli flinched. ‘No,’ she said. ‘We’ll keep clear of that.’ Then she remembered that Joe was a killer and she felt a little sick.

  ‘He’d have to go,’ Joe repeated. He rested back on his elbow. ‘Then there’s Spade.’ He glanced at Lorelli. ‘Spade’s really the important one. How do we get on to him?’

  Lorelli shook her head. ‘I don’t know.’

  Joe said, ‘Well, that’s another thing I’ll have to look after.’ He got to his feet. ‘I think I’ll go to bed,’ he went on, moving to the door. ‘This hurts,’ he touched his wrist.

  ‘What are you going to tell Schultz? He’ll notice it.’

  ‘He won’t see it ‘until tomorrow. Then it won’t matter.’ Joe looked at her, his eyes vacant. ‘About Harry Duke,’ he added as he reached the door. ‘We can do without him. Both of us. . .’

  She nodded. ‘If that’s how you feel,’ she said. ‘I only thought. . .’

  ‘I know.’ He opened the door. ‘I wonder how much you told him?’ The look he gave her made her feel cold.

  Without giving her a chance to answer, he went out of the room.

  Lorelli sat for some time thinking. She was nervous of Joe. She was scared of Schultz too. If Schultz knew what she had said to Duke, he’d kill her. She was sure of that. She had a feeling that if anyone was going to get anything out of this business it was going to be Duke. There was something about him that inspired her confidence.

  The thing to do, she decided, was to play along with Joe as long as he looked safe and then switch to Duke. She made up her mind that she wouldn’t stand for any killing. If Joe was going to get that way then the sooner she went over to Duke the better.

  The clock on the mantelshelf struck eleven-thirty. It was no good staying up all night waiting for Schultz. He might come in any time. She got to her feet and as she crossed the room, she heard a car draw up and a minute later a key turned in the front door.

  She whipped back to the divan and was lighting a cigarette when Schultz came in.

  She stared at him in surprise. He came into the room with a firm, brisk tread and his big saucer-like eyes were unnaturally bright.

  ‘Waiting up for me, my pigeon?’ he said, going over to the sideboard and pouring out a stiff whisky.

  ‘I’ve been in bed half the day,’ she said, trying to be casual. ‘So I thought I’d sit up. You’re late, aren’t you?’

  ‘You haven’t been drinking brandy?’ he asked, looking at the brandy bottle which she had forgotten to put back with the other bottles. He picked up the empty glass and sniffed at it. ‘Or have you been entertaining?’ He turned and looked at her, his eyes hooded and suspicious.

  ‘I got bored so I tried to cheer myself up,’ she said, lolling back on the divan. ‘Don’t mind, do you?’

  ‘Nasty habit. . . brandy.’ He came over and sat down in the armchair. ‘What a day,’ he said as if he meant it. ‘And to think you’ve been in bed resting your nice little body.’ He raised the glass and poured half the whisky down his throat.

  Lorelli sat staring at him, feeling a little sick. His right cuff was bloodstained and there was a smear of blood on his elbow.

  She was too scared to say anything.

  Schultz sat limply in the chair, his eyes darting around the room. First on her, then on the door, then to the window and then back to her again. He finished the whisky and again she saw the blood stain as he raised his wrist.

  ‘That’s better,’ he said, putting the glass at his feet. ‘I wanted that rather badly.’ He sat back and took out his cigarette case. ‘Where’s Joe?’ he asked, abruptly.

  ‘Joe?’ Lorelli might never have heard of him. ‘Why, he’s gone to bed.’

  Schultz scowled. ‘I want him.’ He got to his feet and waddled to the door.

  ‘He’s got a headache,’ Lorelli said, quickly. ‘Can’t I do anything. . .?’

  Schultz paused and half turned. ‘How amusing,’ he said. ‘My pigeon is being considerate.’ He opened the door and shouted, ‘Joe!’

  There was a moment’s silence, then Joe called, ‘Yes?’

  Schultz said, ‘Come downstairs, will you?’ He came back into the room, moved the armchair so that he could see both Lorelli and the door and sat down again. ‘So Joe’s got a headache.’ He smiled at Lorelli. ‘I’ve often wondered if I was doing right letting you two stay together in this house. It’s a big temptation. You’re both very young.’

  ‘Don’t talk like a dope,’ Lorelli said, angrily. ‘I’ve told you before, Joe’s just a kid.’

  ‘Yeah, so you did. I remember.’ Schultz took out a handkerchief and mopped his bald head. ‘It’d be amusing if you two thought you could double-cross me,’ he went on. ‘I’m quite capable of taking care of myself. Perhaps you didn’t think so?’

  Lorelli flounced round on the divan, so that her back was to

  him. ‘You make me tired,’ she said. ‘You’re jealous. That’s all the trouble is with you.’

  ‘Very probably,’ Schultz said, a spiteful look in his eyes. ‘After all I am a little old for you. Yet, my pigeon, I have been nice to you, haven’t I?’

  ‘I don’t know what you’re driving at,’ Lorelli said. ‘I think I’ll go to bed.’

  ‘N
o,’ Schultz said, ‘I’ve got something for you to do. You and Joe.’

  She turned. ‘Tonight?’

  He nodded. ‘Something very important.’

  The door opened and Joe came in. He stood looking at Schultz without expression.

  ‘Come in, Joe,’ Schultz said. He had put his handkerchief on his lap with his hand under it.

  Joe looked at the handkerchief, then at Schultz’s face. His mouth tightened. ‘Did you want me?’ he asked tonelessly.

  ‘What have you done to your wrist, Joe?’ Schultz asked. ‘Lorelli said you had a headache. She didn’t say anything about your wrist.’

  ‘Oh, I cut it,’ Joe said, leaning against the wall. ‘It’s nothing.’

  ‘I see.’ Schultz pulled at his lower lip. ‘Can you drive the car?’

  ‘Tonight?’ Joe’s voice betrayed his dismay.

  ‘I wish you two wouldn’t keep saying that. Of course, tonight. Immediately.’

  ‘I’ll drive,’ Lorelli said, quickly. ‘His wrist’s worse than he says. It was a bad cut.’

  ‘You seem to know everything, don’t you?’ Schultz said, looking at her coldly. ‘I suppose you put the bandage on?’

  ‘If a fella cuts himself, what do you expect me to do?’ Lorelli demanded. ‘Hang out flags?’

  Schultz took the handkerchief off his lap and put it in his pocket. He was holding an automatic in his left hand.

  Both Lorelli and Joe froze when they saw it.

  ‘What’s the idea?’ Lorelli demanded, harshly.

  Schultz waved the gun at her and then at Joe. ‘Just a precaution,’ he said, with an oily smile. ‘I’ve learned to take precautions and besides, didn’t I tell you that it would be unwise to double-cross me?’

  Joe said, ‘What’s the idea?’ He was careful not to move because he didn’t like the determined, cold expression on Schultz’s face. It was almost as if Schultz had made up his mind to shoot.

  ‘Never mind,’ Schultz said, getting to his feet. ‘We’re going on a little journey. I’ve got a job I want you to do.’ He jerked his head. ‘Come on,’ he said. ‘You can drive the car, my pigeon, and Joe can sit beside you. I’ll sit at the back. I won’t be lonely

  because I’ll have the gun.’

  ‘Well, if that’s how you feel,’ Lorelli said, shrugging, ‘I suppose we’ll have to go. You don’t mind if I get a coat, do you?’

  ‘I’m afraid we won’t stop for that,’ Schultz said, smiling again. ‘It’s hot out . . . you won’t need a coat, nor will Joe need a hat. You’ll come just as you are.’

  Lorelli looked at Joe helplessly, but he gave no sign.

  Schultz motioned her to the door. ‘Get moving,’ he said.

  ‘What are you going to do with me?’ Lorelli asked, now getting into a panic. She didn’t like the fixed, glassy look in Schultz’s eyes.

  ‘If you don’t get out of this room when I tell you,’ Schultz said softly, ‘I’ll hurt you and then Joe’ll have to carry you.’ His other hand groped and caught up the whisky bottle by its neck. ‘I’ll knock you on your pretty head with this.’

  She suddenly felt weak and put her hand on Joe’s arm. He winced away, going pale and Schultz was quick to notice his pain.

  ‘More than a cut, Joe,’ he said, softly. ‘We’ll look at that later. Now, march!’

  They went out of the room, into the darkness outside. For one fleeting moment, Lorelli nearly ran for it, but she remembered Schultz was an expert shot and she remembered, too, the look in his eyes. She climbed into the car and Joe followed her.

  ‘What are we to do?’ she whispered, as Schultz was climbing in.

  Joe said, ‘Wait. He’ll slip up. Just wait.’

  ‘Don’t whisper,’ Schultz said, evenly. ‘It’s rude,’ and he smacked Joe on the side of his face with the gun barrel,

  Joe sat forward, holding his face in his hand, his breath coming from between his teeth in a little hiss.

  Lorelli had a horrible premonition that Schultz was going to kill them. She sat back against the cushions of the car, her fists clenched to her mouth, trying not to scream.

  Schultz poked her with the gun. ‘Pull yourself together, my pigeon,’ he said in her ear. ‘Or I’ll get annoyed with you.’

  With trembling fingers she turned the ignition switch and started the engine. ‘Where are we going?’ she asked.

  ‘To the office,’ Schultz said. ‘And step on it.’

  The drive through the dark streets was a nightmare to Lorelli. She clung to the wheel, her eyes staring at the jerking pools of light thrown by the headlights. She wanted the car to go on forever into the darkness, because she knew that so long as she was driving nothing would happen to her.

  The gun barrel rapped her shoulder. The sharp pain made her catch her breath and she squirmed away.

  ‘All right, all right, you stop here,’ Schultz said. ‘Don’t tell me that you don’t know the place.’

  She stopped the car and sat huddled behind the wheel. Joe hadn’t moved. He sat, his face in his hand, leaning forward, motionless.

  Schultz slid out of the car and stepped away. The gun jerked up, covering them. ‘Come on,’ he said. ‘Both of you out this side.’

  Lorelli and Joe got out of the car and stood looking at him.

  Joe’s arm began to throb and he was worried about it. If it wasn’t for that he wouldn’t have been scared of Schultz. Joe had a lot of confidence, but with one arm, it wasn’t going to be so easy.

  ‘Take the key and open up,’ Schultz said, tossing the key at Joe.

  It fell at Joe’s feet. He picked it up and walked to the door of the poolroom. He unlocked it and went in, putting on the lights. Schultz had to give Lorelli a little shove before she would go in and she immediately ran over to Joe.

  Schultz shut the door. ‘Across the room and downstairs. Be careful how you go. I’ll be right behind you.’

  They crossed the room and with Schultz following them they went down a steep flight of stairs. They stood in a dimly lit cellar that smelt damp. There was also a strong smell of whisky and beer from the large vats that stood round the room

  Schultz pointed to a trap door. ‘Get it open,’ he said. ‘Go on, it won’t bite you.’

  Joe took hold of the small iron ring that protruded from the trap and pulled. It was too heavy for him and Lorelli went to his help. Together, they got it open. They looked down with growing uneasiness into a dimly lit vault.

  Schultz watched them with a little smirk on his face. ‘Down you go,’ he said, softly. ‘Now is the time for you to start anything if you feel that way. I warn you, no one will hear me shoot, so you must please yourselves what you do.’

  Lorelli said, ‘Paul, you can’t do this. What have I done? Why have I got to go down there?’

  ‘You won’t be there long,’ Schultz said, gently, ‘I just want to make sure where you are when I want you. I’m going to be busy for the next few hours. You’ll be all right down there and you’ll have company. Now, get down.’ His finger tightened on the

  trigger of the gun and the hammer lifted slightly.

  Lorelli sat on the floor, her legs hanging into space. The drop was not more than twelve feet and she swung herself down.

  ‘Now you, Joe,’ Schultz said, watching the boy with intent eyes.

  Joe hesitated. He hoped that Schultz would have been off guard at least a few seconds, but he had given him no chance. He had been watching Joe the whole time, the gun never leaving Joe’s chest.

  Catching Schultz’s eye Joe decided that this was not the time to start anything and with a little shrug, he dropped through the trap.

  Lorelli and Joe stared up at Schultz as he padded forward and lifted the trap door. Then they suddenly heard a startled gasp from behind them. Out of the dim shadows a figure moved, slid away from them and crouched in a corner.

  Lorelli screamed and grabbed hold of Joe.

  ‘There’s nothing to be scared of,’ Schultz called from above. ‘Let me introduce you. The l
ady in the corner is Miss Russell. Miss Clare Russell, late of the Clarion. You’ll all have time for a nice little chat,’ and laughing quietly, he let the trapdoor down

  with a slam.

  TWENTY

  Harry Duke drew up outside the Chez Paree, got out of his car and stood looking up at the dark building.

  Somewhere down the street a clock chimed one.

  The Chez Paree was closed and two patrolmen stood at the front door. They looked at Duke suspiciously. One of them came down the steps.

  ‘What do you want?’ he asked, looking Duke up and down.

  ‘Why, it’s closed,’ Duke said, looking beyond the patrolman at the building. ‘What’s the idea? I wanted a drink.’

  ‘You’d better come inside. The sergeant might like a word with you,’ the patrolman said, grimly. ‘Come on.’

  Duke fell in step beside him. ‘Sure,’ he said. ‘If it’s O’Malley, he might dig me up a drink.’

  The patrolman looked at him closely. ‘I’ve seen you before somewhere, ain’t I?’ he asked.

  ‘Duke . . . Harry Duke’s the name.’

  The patrolman relaxed. ‘Why, Mr. Duke, I didn’t recognize you. The sarg’ll be pleased to see you.’

  They came up to the door and the other patrolman looked at Duke with interest.

  ‘It’s Mr. Duke,’ his companion said to him. ‘Wants to see the sarg.’

  ‘Go right in,’ Stone said, pushing open the door. ‘He’s in the office up on the left.’

  Fleming, the other patrolman, cleared his throat as Duke walked into the hall. ‘Mr. Duke, you’ll pardon me, but how do you fancy Daybreak for tomorrow? Sarge says he looks good and I wanted to make myself a little dough for the weekend.’

  ‘He looks fine,’ Duke said, airily, ‘I’ve never seen a finer horse in the stable. Take the stable away and he’ll fall down.’ He crossed the hall, leaving the two patrolmen gaping after him.

  He found O’Malley in Bellman’s office wandering around, smoking one of Bellman’s cigars.

  The police sergeant seemed surprised to see him.

  ‘Hello, sarg,’ Duke said with a smile. ‘They said you were up here.’