by David Barry
‘Bill!’ Jack shouted over the night club din. ‘Come and meet Gloria. Gloria this is my business partner Bill. ‘
Gloria thrust a delicate pale hand at Bill and he shook it. Her bones felt small and vulnerable as he applied pressure and he eased up on the handshake. There was something doll-like about her, though in a very beautiful and natural way.
Bill sank into a chair and lit a cigarette. While he ordered himself a beer from a waitress, Jack melted before Gloria’s gaze, kissed her lightly on the lips, and looked as if he wanted to vanish inside the kiss. But there was also restraint in his passion, knowing that this was the sweet anticipation of greater things. Bill caught the end of this exchange and a fearful warning alerted him like the drummer’s cymbal crash.
Jack slid a hand lovingly onto Gloria’s, leaned across her, and told Bill, ‘Gloria’s in Strike Up The Band. ‘
‘Congratulations,’ Bill said. ‘I hear it’s a great show. ‘
‘It sure is,’ she acknowledged. ‘But I’m only in the chorus. ‘
‘Honey,’ said Jack, sliding his other hand underneath hers, ‘don’t put yourself down. ‘ He looked at Bill, his eyes sparkling with the pride of a lover. ‘Gloria may only be in the chorus, but wow! You can’t take your eyes off her. What a knockout performance. ‘
Bill smiled, in spite of the niggling doubt he had about his partner’s serious involvement with yet another girl. ‘I’m sure Jack’s right,’ he said. ‘I expect you’ll be discovered one day, and - who knows? - you may even have your own show. ‘
She shrugged and looked down. When she spoke, it was with a trace of wistfulness. ‘I expect every chorus girl thinks she’s going to be a star. If you don’t make the big time by the time you’re. . . ‘
She checked herself, gave an embarrassed laugh and shook her head.
‘I’m sure you’re being hard on yourself,’
‘Just being a realist,’ she said with a shrug and smiled at him, displaying a perfect row of sparkling teeth.
He liked her honesty and could appreciate what Jack saw in her. Although she was a stunningly attractive, she also had a head on her shoulders, he felt. But now it was down to business. He looked pointedly at his watch so that Jack noticed.
‘Honey,’ his partner began, with an apologetic shrug. . .
‘I know, you have business to discuss. In any case, I have to be at the theatre early; there’s a routine we have to tidy up. ‘
She picked her handbag up from the side of her chair and rose, pecking Jack on the cheek, all in one brisk movement. ‘See you after the show, Jack. Hey, I’m really excited. I’ve never been in the Plaza before. Nice meeting you, Bill. ‘
‘And nice meeting you,’ Bill replied, lost in his own thoughts. As soon as she had gone, he said to Jack, ‘You got a room booked at the Plaza?’
Jack gave him a lascivious grin. ‘You bet. Us hard-earners deserve a little luxury in life. ‘
‘And what about Kitty?’
‘She thinks I’m out of town. ‘
The band was ending it’s number, every musician competing for a final riff instead of ending clean. The drummer won, marginally beating the clarinetist with a flourishing roll on the snare. Bill’s beer arrived. He took a pensive sip, wiping the foam off his top lip with his tongue. Jack watched him closely, thinking that his partner seemed a trifle moody.
‘Something bothering you?’ he asked.
‘Band’s about to strike up again,’ Bill replied. ‘Mind if we go somewhere quieter to talk?’
‘You’ve just got your beer. ‘
‘You know this stuff doesn’t do anything for me. ‘
Jack nodded. ‘Okay. ‘ He paid the bill and they left the Dutchman’s joint. It was late afternoon, and it was still light outside. It was the end of a working day for most people and Bill and his partner dodged in-and-out of the teeming hordes of office workers heading for home.
‘Where we going?’ Jack asked.
‘Thought we’d go where it’s quiet. The apartment. ‘
They didn’t have far to walk from the Dutchman’s to their apartment in the theatre district. Since the bank job out on Long Island, Bill had given the place a bit of a facelift, a coat of paint here, a coat of paint there, and some fancy furnishings and pictures on the walls. ‘If we’re using this place as an office and somewhere to lie low,’ he’d told his accomplice, ‘we may as well make it more habitable. ‘
‘I’ll make the coffee,’ Jack offered as they entered the apartment. Straight away Bill opened the desk drawer and pulled out a sheaf of notes, details of their next potential bank job.
‘You cased that joint yet?’ Jack called out from the kitchenette, as he filled the percolator.
‘Got all the details right here. I figured I’d use a mailman’s uniform this time. ‘
Jack hurried back into the room, a puzzled expression on his face. ‘How the hell does a mailman get into a bank? I mean they have a mailbox for delivering the mail. ‘
Bill grinned at him and placed one hand above the other, with a three inch gap between. ‘Mailbox this big. ‘ He widened the gap between his hands another three inches. ‘Package this big. ‘
Jack laughed. ‘Hey! That’s pretty neat. And maybe you need a signature as well. ‘
‘A signature is essential,’ Bill replied seriously, assuming the demeanour of an over-conscientious mailman.
Jack pulled a bentwood chair away from the desk, turned it to face him, and sat astride it, his arms folded across the back. ‘Okay. So where is this bank?’
Bill sat in an easy chair, facing Jack. ‘First things first,’ he said. ‘We need to talk. ‘
‘Oh?’ Jack questioned warily, as if he knew what was coming. ‘What about?’
‘Your love life, Jack. ‘ He saw that Jack was about to protest and continued hurriedly. ‘This is not a moral issue. I couldn’t care less about someone else’s infidelities. But we’re treading on dangerous ground here. Does Kitty have any suspicions about your philandering ways?’
Jack shrugged. Then, realizing the gesture could be interpreted to mean he didn’t know, he exclaimed emphatically, ‘Jesus! I hope not. ‘
‘I need you to level with me, Jack. Not long after that job on Jamaica Avenue, I was out with both of you at the Silver Slipper, and you kept staring and flirting in a most obvious way with the cigarette girl. ‘
‘Hey! Now wasn’t she a bit of all right?’
‘Kitty blew her stack that night. The scene was embarrassing. ‘
Jack tried to look contrite, but the expression failed him. It was more an expression of male solidarity, one man to another. You know how it is with women.
‘And if Kitty’s that jealous over a minor flirtation,’ Bill continued.
Jack interrupted him. ‘That was the booze talking. She’d had a skinful. ‘
‘But if she finds out about any of these other broads, Jack. . . Hell hath no fury, and all that. ‘
A tiny smile tugged at the corners of Jack’s mouth. He looked pleased with himself. ‘There are no other broads. Only Gloria. ‘
‘So what happened to the hat-check girl, and that redhead you met at the Algonquin?’
Jack grinned sheepishly. ‘They’re through. I’m in love, Bill. I can’t stop thinking about Gloria, morning, noon and night. ‘
Bill frowned and scratched thoughtfully at his chin. . This was worse news than the philandering. He stared at Jack, who was grinning at him, suffused with that special glow reserved for someone newly in love. After a long pause, Bill spoke in what he considered was his gravest voice.
‘You have to end this relationship with Gloria. ‘
Jack reacted like he’d been jabbed with a needle. ‘Jesus, Bill! This is not some one-night affair. It’s serious. . . it’s not like we. . ‘
As soon as these words escaped from Bill’s mouth, he regretted it. As he suspected, his partner went on the attack.
‘And what about Louise? Are you telling me. . . ‘
‘She has no knowledge whatsoever of our activities,’ Bill cut in. ‘And even if she did find out, I know I could rely on her loyalty. ‘
‘Oh?’ Jack said with a trace of sarcasm. ‘And how is Louise different from Kitty?’
‘It’s simple, Jack. Stay loyal to a woman, love her, and she’ll return the compliment. No woman’d betray a man who loves her and remains faithful to her. Even you know that. ‘
Jack stared at the floor, thoughtfully biting his bottom lip. Eventually, he locked eyes with Bill, playing for sympathy. ‘You mean I have to get rid of Gloria? Just like that. ‘
Bill decided it was time to throw down his ace. ‘You’re a reliable partner, Jack. I trust you. But. . . I’d hate to have to look around for another. ‘
He left it at that. Allowing the silence to do its work, to allow the enormity of his words to sink in. He became aware of the Broadway sounds: a piercing whistle and shout as someone hailed a cab; a paper boy selling the latest edition; a squeal of brakes.
Jack stared into the distance for a long while. He knew his partner was right. He also knew that Bill was serious about terminating their relationship if it came to the crunch. He couldn’t allow that to happen. Jesus! Not with his life-style. He had a luxurious and expensive apartment on the Upper East Side, two cars housed in the underground car park, and some expensive habits to support. He couldn’t possibly allow this partnership to be terminated.
‘Okay,’ he agreed after a long pause. ‘I’ll let it simmer with Gloria for a while, then let it cool down. How’s that?’
The coffee started to percolate, sending an appetizing roasting aroma into the room. Bill stretched his legs then got up. ‘Why don’t you keep your date with Gloria at the Plaza? Then, tomorrow morning, make sure you have a serious pillow talk with her. Happily married man, and all that. You like her, but. . . ‘
‘But it’s just one of those things,’ Jack concluded.
‘Exactly. Make her feel important, but that she shouldn’t come between you and your wife. I’ll pour us some coffee. Then we’ll talk about this beautiful bank. ‘
As Bill was out in the kitchenette, fetching the coffee, Jack pondered the situation between himself and Gloria. It was one hell of a dilemma. Would he be able to throw her over in favor of Kitty? He had serious doubts about that. He decided to do as Bill had advised him for the time being, and hope things would work out in the future. One thing was for certain, if he remained with Kitty, he was still going to see Gloria on the side. He had to have her. He just had to. Whatever the cost.
Chapter Five
May, 1931
The Browning automatic pistol was standard army issue, and Bill had bought one for himself and Jack through an ex-soldier who had been an armorer during the Great War. Bill had his Browning aimed at the manager of the Bronx County Savings Bank and saw that the guy was staring at him with a mixture of fear and loathing. He was a heavily built man with a florid complexion, and Bill suspected that he was the sort of man who given an opening would have a go. But nobody argues with a gun aimed at their head.
Jack waved his Browning back and forth along the row of subdued employees as he struggled to shut the clasp on his dispatch case which was bursting with five and ten dollar bills, and Bill could see him struggling one-handed with the case, trying to shut it thoroughly without taking his eyes off the bank employees. He knew his partner didn’t want to risk walking along the street leaving a trail of money behind him, but it was time for them to make themselves scarce. It was almost bank opening time, and they didn’t want to risk trying to escape through a queue of early-bird customers waiting outside. Eventually Bill heard the click of Jack’s case and breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Let’s go,’ he said.
Using the same modus operandi as the Jamaica Bank, Jack warned them: ‘We’re leaving. We have a third member of our gang waiting outside. Anyone attempting to follow us in the next five minutes will be shot. ‘
As they backed towards the door, Bill could see by the expression on the manager’s face that he didn’t believe Jack, and was already poised to come after them and raise the alarm. And if a cop happened to be walking along the street. . .
‘He means it,’ Bill snapped. ‘So don’t even think about it. Our accomplice always aims for the kneecaps, so if you want to spend the rest of your days in a wheelchair. . . ‘
It was the psychological advantage he needed. The manager’s expression was inscrutable but his face had drained of color and Bill knew he would now think twice before running after them. Jack had the door open, and they slid through, slamming it behind them. A man carrying an expensive-looking brown leather briefcase, was waiting for the bank to open.
‘Be open any minute now,’ Jack assured him. Then they both melted into the early-morning crowd and headed for their car. Jack walked a few paces ahead of Bill. He thought of all that money he was carrying. What a haul! And Bill’s mailman bag was bursting with crisp new twenties. They must have somewhere in the region of $100,000, Jack reckoned. The thoughts of all that money and seeing Gloria that evening gave him a snug feeling in his groin and he felt the warmth surge in his penis as it grew erect. By the time he got to the car, he had an amused expression on his face, which Bill noticed as he slid into the passenger seat.
They pulled away, in the opposite direction from the bank, and as Bill threw his mailman’s hat over the back seat and struggled out of the jacket, he asked Jack what he found so amusing.
Jack, unwilling to admit to getting a hard-on, tossed his glasses and hat onto the floor by his partner’s feet and said with a light, nervous laugh in his voice: ‘It’s just too damn easy, Bill. ‘
‘It’ll get harder,’ Bill said, ‘when they start to figure out our M. O. Once the papers give it a hammering, and the cops put two and two together. . . ‘
They drove in silence for a while. The atmosphere in the car became heavy with Jack’s troubled thoughts, and Bill knew that he was trying to formulate some sort of strategy. Bill remained silent, letting his partner work it out in his own way. When Jack eventually spoke, his voice was perfectly controlled. Although it was always Bill who seemed to be the brains of their two-man outfit, always the one to make the decisions, now it was Jack’s turn to take the lead.
‘I’ve been thinking, this mailman’s uniform we hired, we need to get it back before this thing hits the papers. It’s a way of tracing the robbery back to us. Once the cops start asking questions about where the uniforms are coming from, they just might hit on where we get our supplies. So I think we ought to find another apartment and create another theatre school. ‘
‘Sounds like a good idea,’ Bill agreed.
‘And I’ve had another idea about hiring uniforms. I think we ought to hire a whole production. Different uniforms, including some female costumes. That way the one we want is part of a job lot, and is more likely to go unnoticed. ‘
Bill turned and grinned at his partner. ‘Now that really is a great idea, Jack. I really should have thought of that before. ‘
‘We could even make up names for the actors, with all their different measurements. ‘
‘Sounds good to me. ‘
‘I mean,’ said Jack, swerving to avoid a car that had broken down on the 3rd Avenue Bridge, ‘that’s the second time we’ve used the uniform stunt to get into a bank. I think the banks’ll be more cautious in the future. ‘
‘Just what I was thinking,’ Bill agreed. ‘That’s why I think we ought to go for some other establishment.
‘Such as?’
‘Jewelry store. ‘
Jack gave his accomplice a cursory look, trying to ascertain if he was being serious.
‘I’ve already cased Rosenthal & Son,’ Bill continued. ‘You know, the one next to the Capitol Theatre. ‘
Jack’s voice rose an octave. ‘Are you serious? That’s on Broadway and 51st. Talk about shitting on our doorstep. ‘
Bill chuckled confidently. ‘Doesn’t really matter where we commit a robbery. We’re not gonna get caught, Jack. Are we? And that’s all we have to worry about. Staying one step ahead of the game. Just keep telling yourself, we’re not going to get caught. Because everything we do we plan down to the last detail. That’s one of the reasons we’ve been successful so far. ‘
Bill said it like an employer motivating an employee, and he slapped Jack’s leg.
But Jack wasn’t convinced. ‘And another thing, we lose a large percentage of our haul when we sell to a fence. ‘
‘I’ve been inside Rosenthal’s, and believe me those rocks’ll fetch a small fortune. Just think of what we lose to the fence as money we might have had to pay the IRS if we were gainfully employed. ‘
Jack suddenly felt more relaxed as they came into East Harlem and he threw Bill an impudent grin. ‘Yeah, and we all have to pay our taxes. ‘ His grin froze when he glanced in the mirror and spotted the cop car following them. ‘Jesus Christ! The cops are behind us. ‘ Feeling his partner might turn round, he cautioned, ‘Don’t look round. Keep looking ahead. ‘