1972 - Just a Matter of Time by James Hadley Chase

Author:James Hadley Chase [Chase, James Hadley]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

The telephone bell rang in Bromhead’s room and he lifted the receiver.

‘Jack?’

He recognized Solly Marks’s wheezing voice.

‘That’s me.’

‘Your problem’s taken care of.’

‘Thanks.’ Bromhead replaced the receiver. He sat for a long moment, thinking. It had to be done. Gerald was becoming a nuisance, but Bromhead now thought uneasily how much his operation was costing him. Solly Marks had agreed to take care of Gerald, have him under constant supervision, feed him and keep him occupied for the sum of ten thousand dollars. Marks didn’t seem to operate under a fee of ten thousand dollars.

Bromhead had signed yet another I.O.U., knowing he was in the red with Marks for $22,000. He also knew that Marks didn’t lend money unless he was certain of collecting. This operation had to succeed!

He continued to think. It looked set, but there could be snags. Things happened that you didn’t think of or couldn’t foresee, but the overall plan was working well. He had listened to the tape Sheila had played on the old lady’s recorder. What an artist Sheila was! If he had written the script for her, he couldn’t have done better. And this inspiration of buying the tape recorder for the old lady! This was something he wouldn’t have thought of. How this must have shaken Patterson when he had seen it! He was sure he had Patterson now where he wanted him. Now thanks to Solly Marks, Gerald had been removed from the scene and would be kept on ice until the time was ready to use him. Yes . . . the operation was going well!

He got to his feet and left his room. The time was 19.10. Mrs. Morely-Johnson would be having cocktails with friends on the terrace. He entered the hotel lobby and crossing to one of the telephone booths, he called the penthouse. Sheila answered.

‘Jack,’ Bromhead said.

‘Come up,’ she replied and replaced the receiver.

Bromhead nodded approvingly. No words wasted . . . like him . . . a professional.

He walked into her office, hearing the chatter of people on the terrace, sure it was safe for them to talk for at least half an hour.

‘He’s gone to L.A.,’ Bromhead said, standing by her desk. ‘You don’t have to worry about him now.’

Sheila stiffened.

‘Gerry’s gone? What happened?’

‘Don’t let’s waste time . . . he’s gone and he’s safe. You must now talk to Patterson.’

‘I can’t believe it! You really mean Gerry’s gone?’

‘Stop worrying about him . . . he’s gone.’

She drew in a long breath. Perhaps for the first time, she really realized she was dealing with a man who would let nothing stand between himself and money. She thought of Gerald. He wouldn’t have gone unless he had been under some kind of pressure. She looked at Bromhead who was regarding her thoughtfully. She got no clue from his expression as to what had happened.

‘Patterson . . .’ Bromhead said quietly.

‘Yes.’ She tried to dismiss a frightened Gerald from her mind.

‘Don’t worry about Patterson,’ Bromhead said. ‘He’s hooked.

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