1972 - You're Dead Without Money

by James Hadley Chase

  ‘Before coming to Paradise City, Vin had been working Miami. While leaving a Miami hotel bedroom with some old dowager’s jewel box he had the bad luck to walk into the hotel dick. He knocked the dick cold. In the struggle he dropped the jewel box, but he got away. He knew the dick would give the cops a good description of him so he decided to move on and he moved here.

  ‘Cindy spotted him as he was buying himself some neck ties in one of the best stores in the City. She thought he was a real doll, but that didn’t stop her trying for his billfold. There must have been something about Vin that spoilt her concentration because he felt her fingers slide into his hip pocket.

  ‘He turned and smiled at her. They looked at each other and this chemistry thing called love clicked in her. She handed him back his billfold with a nice apology and accepted his offer of an ice drink. They talked for the rest of the afternoon until Cindy realized she should have been home an hour ago. This threw her into a panic. Not only had she been chatting up this handsome guy for hours but she had neglected her afternoon’s work and had earned no money. This she explained to Vin who laughed and gave her twenty bucks, telling her he wanted to see her the following afternoon.

  ‘Vin was pretty blasé about girls, but Cindy got to him. I’m not saying he fell in love with her as she had with him, but he liked her better than any other girl he had met and he wanted to see her again.

  ‘Cindy agreed to meet him at the Lido where they could swim and talk. She had made no secret about what her father and she did for a living. Vin had been genuinely amused and he hinted he was in the crime racket himself although he didn’t go into details. Cindy was impressed as he drove off in his Jaguar. Not only was he handsome, fun and sexy, she thought as she made her way home, but he was rich.

  ‘Joey was quick to spot something had happened when Cindy came in. There was that faraway look in her eyes that girls get when they are turning soppy over some man.’ Barney paused to heave a great sigh. ‘The number of times, when I was young, I’ve seen that look would surprise you. Like me, Joey knew the signs and a cold wind blew over him although he was smart enough not to ask questions.

  ‘During the next six days, Cindy and Vin met every afternoon and by that time they were both crazy about each other.

  ‘Then Cindy decided it was time to break the news to Joey. She dreaded telling him, but it had to be done. She couldn’t go on deceiving him. She explained all this to Vin and asked him to meet her father. At first, Vin said no, but Cindy pleaded and because he wanted to please her, he shrugged and agreed.’

  * * *

  ‘Be nice to him, Vin,’ Cindy said. ‘He’s been a wonderful father to me. Come around tomorrow at midday. That will give me time to break the news and get him in the right mood.’

  ‘Okay . . . okay,’ Vin said indifferently. ‘I’ll come. I wouldn’t do it for any other doll, but for you, I’ll make the exception.’

  ‘Joey knew he was going to be told by the nervous way Cindy behaved when she came home. Joey had had six days in which to get used to the idea that Cindy was finally in love. He had told himself over and over again this was inevitable and he now knew if he wasn’t to lose Cindy he would have to play his cards carefully. This could be calf love: something that wouldn’t last, but he doubted it He decided there was only one thing to do: he had to be understanding, pretend to be happy for Cindy and hope the guy came up to expectations and wouldn’t let Cindy down. The thought of spending the rest of his days on his own depressed him, but this he knew he would have to accept. If he could persuade Cindy not to rush into marriage, he would try, but he would try gently.

  ‘After supper, instead of turning on the TV set, Joey said quietly, ‘What’s on your mind, baby? Something you want to tell me?’

  ‘So Cindy told him.

  ‘Joey nodded.

  ‘It happens all the time and it had to happen to you. If you’re happy, then that makes me happy, but are you sure?’

  Cindy went to him and put her arms around him.

  ‘I was scared of telling you. I thought you’d be angry.’

  ‘What’s there to be angry about? A girl like you should get married.’ Joey forced a smile. ‘Besides, I want to be a grandfather. I like kids. When’s the wedding to be?’

  Cindy’s eyes opened wide.

  ‘We’re not planning to get married yet. We just want to be together, have fun . . . we don’t want kids for heaven’s sake . . . anyway, not yet.’

  Joey suppressed a sigh of relief.

  ‘But you do plan to get married, baby?’

  ‘We haven’t discussed that,’ Cindy frowned. ‘We just want to have fun.’

  Joey nodded.

  ‘Well, tell me about him.’

  He listened to Cindy’s eulogy, his heart despairing and his face alight with false interest.

  ‘He’s a big operator,’ she concluded. ‘He hasn’t told me just what his racket is, but it must be big. He’s a terrific dresser and drives this big Jag and he’s free with his money. You’ll love him, dad. I’m sure you will.’

  Joey said he hoped he would. Then after a pause, he asked if Vin had a record.

  ‘A record? What do you mean?’ Cindy stiffened.

  ‘Well, you know . . . do the cops know him. . . has he ever been inside?’

  ‘I’m sure he hasn’t! Of course not! Vin’s much too smart to have a record.’

  ‘That’s fine.’ Joey hesitated, then went on, ‘We have to be careful, baby. So far we have kept clear of the cops. The bigger the operator the more dangerous he is.’

  ‘I don’t know what you mean!’ Cindy had never spoken so sharply to her father before and Joey inwardly cringed.

  ‘I don’t mean anything, baby. I just said we had to be careful.’

  ‘We are careful. I can’t see what Vin has to do with it. I tell you . . . he’s as smart as a whip.’

  From his long experience in petty crime, Joey knew those who were smart as a whip were those who invariably got caught, but he didn’t say so. He could only hope now that this affair wouldn’t last long.

  When Cindy said Vin was coming to lunch the following day, Joey told her he was delighted.

  * * *

  Barney leaned forward and looked over at Sam. He pointed to his enormous belly and wigwagged with his eyebrows.

  ‘If it’s all the same to you, mister,’ he said. ‘I’ll have another hamburger.’

  * * *

  The meeting between Joey and Vin went off better than either man expected. Joey certainly leaned over backwards to be pleasant, knowing Cindy was listening to every word he uttered and watching every change of his expressions. There was something about Vin that impressed Joey: his self-confidence, the determined light in his steel grey eyes and the suggestion of ruthlessness told Joey this was no ordinary smalltime crook. He also realized that Vin seemed genuinely fond of Cindy and this pleased him: at least, his adored daughter wasn’t going to be given the runaround.

  Rather to his surprise, Vin found Joey easy to talk to, quick-witted and in no way the heavy father.

  The lunch which was elaborate was a success. After the meal, Vin took them in his Jag up in the hills, away from the crowded beach and went out of his way to make Joey feel he wasn’t the odd man out.

  Around 16.00, Joey who had enjoyed talking about his past life, telling Vin some of his varied experiences, said it was time for him to go to work.

  ‘You take the day off, baby,’ he said to Cindy. ‘You and Vin have a little fun.’

  They drove back to the City and dropped Joey off at the bus station. As they drove away, Cindy looked anxiously at Vin.

  He grinned at her.

  ‘He’s a nice old guy,’ he said. ‘Small time - but I like him.’ He put his hand on Cindy’s. ‘We three are going to get along fine together.’

  That’s the way it turned out. After a week, Joey suggested that Vin should move in with them at the bungalow. After some thought, Joey had decided he could see more of Cindy if Vin mov
ed in and besides, he found he liked having Vin around to talk to. He didn’t realize until now how he had been missing male conversation.

  After hesitating, Vin agreed. He was getting a little worried about his financial position. He was staying at a modest hotel, but the rates of even a modest hotel in Paradise City came high. Before very long, he told himself he would have to do a job. Up to now, he had been content to enjoy Cindy’s company.

  He refused to admit to himself that the encounter with the hotel dick had shaken his nerve. He decided he would give hotels a wide berth. He must tackle one of these villas he had heard so much about. So when Joey suggested he took one of the spare bedrooms and contribute twenty dollars a week to help out, Vin, after checking his billfold and finding he was down to his last five hundred dollars, agreed.

  All the same, although pressure was now relaxed on his billfold, Vin told himself he must get down to work. He was a stranger in Paradise City and had no connections which made things tricky. He knew Joey and Cindy had been coming to the City for the past three years and he decided to have a word with Joey to find out if Joey could steer him to a steal.

  So one morning while Cindy was preparing the lunch and the two men sat under the shade of a tree in the little garden, Vin casually asked if Joey knew of a reliable fence in the City.

  ‘Fence? There are several.’ Joey shook his head. ‘I wouldn’t say they are reliable. The best fence is Claude Kendrick. He runs a big antique shop in the swank district of the City, but he is strictly big time. He supplies antiques and modern art to most of the big shots living around here and makes a fortune, but he also deals in hot goods. It depends, of course, what he’s offered. Give him something top class and he’ll take it, but not small stuff. Abe Levi who runs a tourist junk shop takes the small stuff, but he pays badly. All the same, I should think Abe would be the man for you.’ Joey looked thoughtfully at Vin. ‘Are you thinking of pulling a job?’

  ‘My dough’s running out,’ Vin said, frowning. ‘Yes, I’ve got to do a job.’

  This was a shock to Joey although he was careful not to show it. He had been under the impression from what Cindy had told him that Vin was loaded with the stuff and now to hear Vin was running short more than depressed him.

  ‘Look, Vin,’ he said. ‘Don’t do anything rash. I . . .’

  Vin’s sudden scowl stopped him short. For the first time, Joey saw the meaner side of Vin’s nature and this was also a shock.

  ‘Rash? I don’t get you.’ Vin growled. ‘When I pull a job, I do it right.’

  ‘I’m sure you do,’ Joey said hastily, ‘but you’re in Paradise City now, Vin. This City’s special. It’s like a closed shop if you know what I mean.’

  Vin stared at him.

  ‘Like a . . . what?’

  ‘The boys here have everything organized,’ Joey explained, his tone apologetic. ‘Outsiders aren’t encouraged.’

  Vin stiffened and his eyes hardened.

  ‘Is that right? Am I an outsider?’

  Joey fidgeted with his beautifully shaped hands.

  ‘I guess you are, Vin. The boys won’t take kindly to you if you start operating here.’

  ‘So what will they do if I do operate?’

  Joey ran his fingers through his thick, grey hair.

  ‘From what I hear they will tip the cops, and Vin, make no mistake about this, the cops here are dynamite. It’s their job to protect the rich living here and believe you me, they do a job.’

  Vin lit another cigarette. He thought for a long moment, then, his voice more subdued, he asked, ‘So how do I get an in, Joey?’

  Joey looked unhappy.

  ‘It’s tricky, but talk to Abe. Tell him you’re in the business and ask him politely what he can do for you. It’s the only way, Vin. If Abe turns you down, that’s it. You must not operate in this City. If you do, without Abe’s say-so, you’re certain to get picked up by the cops.’

  ‘I never had this trouble in Miami,’ Vin said angrily. ‘What the hell’s with it with this goddamn City?’

  ‘Take an older man’s tip then,’ Joey said. ‘Live here and work Miami. It’s not all that far away. You could spend a couple of days there, do a job and come back here.’

  Vin shook his head.

  ‘Miami’s too hot for me now,’ he said sullenly. ‘I’ve got to work this City if I’m going to work at all.’

  Joey shifted uneasily in his chair.

  ‘You’re not in trouble?’

  ‘Trouble? No, but the cops in Miami have a description of me. I can’t go back there.’ Vin stared up at the blue sky. ‘I’ll tell you something. I’m getting sick of this way of life, Joey. As soon as I get any money I either lose it or spend it. I want to do a once-and-for-all job that will set me up for three or four years . . . I want to marry Cindy. I want to buy a bungalow somewhere on this coast and for us three to settle there. You and me could go fishing and we could talk. Cindy and I could have fun and you could stick around because I like you, Joey. I wouldn’t want you to leave us. We’ve talked about it. When Cindy and I want to be alone I’d give you the high sign and because you’re smart you’d leave us alone. That way we could all live together and have fun.’

  Joey couldn’t believe his ears. This was what he had been praying and hoping for. Tears rushed into his eyes and he had to get out his handkerchief and pretend he was stifling a sneeze.

  ‘But, first, I’ve got to pull a big one,’ Vin went on, not noticing Joey’s emotion. ‘It’s got to be big. Fifty thousand dollars would do it. Now how the hell am I going to find a job worth all that bread?’

  Fifty thousand dollars!

  Joey sat up in alarm.

  ‘Now look, Vin, that’s kid’s talk. Fifty grand! They could put you away for fifteen years. Now get that right out of your mind! You don’t think I want a son-in-law locked away for fifteen years, do you?’

  Vin stared at him, his eyes cloudy and far away. He didn’t have to put into words the thought that was going through his mind. Joey knew Vin was regarding him with friendly contempt and Vin knew he was looking at a man who lived and thought small and would always live and think small.

  Cindy came to the open door that led to the living room.

  ‘Come and get it,’ she called.

  As the two men got to their feet, Vin asked, ‘Where do I find Abe Levi?’

  * * *

  Abe Levi’s junk shop was located on the waterfront near, where the sponge trawlers and the lobster boats anchored. The shop was one of the City’s tourists’ attractions. It contained anything from a stuffed snake to a tortoiseshell comb, from glass ‘diamonds’ to handicrafts made by the local Indians, from a canoe to the original muzzle loader that killed some General during the Indian wars. You name it, Levi had it. Stuffed with objects, the vast, dimly lit shop was served by four attractive Seminole girls, wearing their native costumes.

  Levi kept behind the scenes in his small, pokey office. Although Levi made a large and steady income from the junk he sold, he made an even larger and even more steady income from handling loot the local thieves offered him and at a much bigger profit.

  Abe Levi was tall and thin with a balding head, a hooked nose and eyes as impersonal as bottle stoppers. He regarded Vin as Vin sat by Abe’s old-fashioned roll top desk and what Abe saw he didn’t like. He didn’t like handsome men. He dealt with the small fry of the City’s thieves who were invariably shabby and far from handsome. This tall, bronzed man in his immaculate suit and outrageous tie and his arrogance made Abe instinctively hostile.

  Vin had explained who he was and that he was looking for a job to pull. Abe listened, stroking his hooked nose with thin boney fingers, shooting quick glances at Vin and then looking away.

  ‘If I find something,’ Vin concluded, ‘are you in the market to buy?’

  Abe didn’t hesitate.

  ‘No.’

  The flat note and the hostile expression sent a wave of hot anger up Vin’s spine.

  ‘What do y
ou mean?’ he snarled. ‘You’re in the goddamn business, aren’t you?’

  Abe fixed Vin with his bottle stopper eyes.

  ‘I’m in the business but not to outsiders. There’s nothing here for you in this City. Try Miami. They take outsiders. We don’t.’

  ‘Is that right?’ Vin leaned forward, his big hands into fists. ‘If you don’t want my business, there are plenty who will.’

  Abe continued to stroke his nose.

  ‘Young man, don’t do it,’ he said, ‘This City is a closed shop. We have enough working here without outsiders. Go to Miami, but don’t try to operate here.’

  ‘Thanks for nothing. So I operate here,’ Vin said, red showing through his bronze. ‘Who’s going to stop me?’

  ‘The cops,’ Abe said. ‘The cops here know there must be a certain amount of crime in this City. They accept this, but they don’t accept a new face. Someone will tip them that a new face has arrived and the owner of the new face has ideas. In a few days that new face is either run out of the City or else lands up behind bars. Take my tip: there’s nothing here for you. Go to Miami. That’s a fine city for a young man like you . . . but don’t try anything here.’

  Vin stared for a long moment at this tall, thin Jew and it dawned on him that this old man was being helpful in his odd way. He lifted his shoulders and stood up.

  ‘Well, thanks,’ he said. ‘I’ll think about it,’ and turning, he made his way through the shop, ignoring the Indian girls who were ogling him hopefully and into the hot sunlight of the waterfront.

  For the first time in his life, he felt a lack of confidence and a nagging fear that soon his money would run out. He didn’t want to leave Paradise City. He wanted to be with Cindy. But what was he to do? He knew a warning when he was given a warning and Abe Levi had shown him the red light.

  With lagging steps, he walked to where he had parked the Jaguar.

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