One Bright Summer Morning (1963) by James Hadley Chase

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

CHAPTER SEVEN

Kramer sat in a lounging chair, a cigar gripped between his teeth. Behind him stood Moe Zegetti. Opposite him, in another lounging chair, sat Vic Dermott.

From where he sat, Vic could see through the window across the patio to the garage. The garage doors were open. Riff was working on Vic's Cadillac. He had already replaced the sparking plugs. He was now removing the licence plates and replacing them with plates Kramer had brought with him.

The time was some minutes after nine o'clock.

Kramer said, “You'll reach Van Wylie's place around eleven o'clock. You know what to say. You have to convince him that if he doesn't pay up without fuss he'll never see his daughter again. I'm not fooling. If something turns sour, I'll bow out and leave you all to the Cranes. Understand?”

“I understand,” Vic said.

“He'll try to find out who you are,” Kramer went on. “If he does find out and traces you here, there'll be a massacre.” He leaned forward and pointed a thick finger at Vic. “The Cranes don't surrender. They'll kill your wife, your baby and the Van Wylie girl and then they'll fight it out to a finish.”

Vic didn't say anything.

“So it is up to you to convince Van Wylie to give you the cheques. When you have them, you will drive to San Bernadino. You'll go to the Chase National Bank and cash the first one. You will then drive to Los Angeles and go to the Merchant Fidelity Bank and cash the second cheque. You'll put up for the night at the Mount Crescent Hotel. I've reserved a room for you in the name of Jack Howard. At eleven o'clock, I'll telephone you. If there are no snags you will go to the Chase National Bank in L.A. and cash the third cheque. From then on you'll drive up the coast, cashing cheques from the list you have. You will finally arrive at Frisco. I'll be waiting for you at the Rose Arms Hotel. You'll hand over the money to me and then you are free to return here. By the time you get back, Miss Van Wylie will have been released and the rest of my people will have gone. From then on, you say and do nothing. To you, this has never happened. But if you start acting smart and imagine you can give us away to the Feds, one day someone will arrive at your home and he will wipe you, your wife and baby out. That's a promise. Understand?”

“Yes, I understand,” Vic said woodenly.

“Well, that's it . . . don't say you haven't been warned.” Kramer got to his feet. “The car's ready. It's time you got off.”

Vic stood up.

“My wife is afraid of being alone. What guarantee have I that nothing happens to her while I am away and while you're not here?”

“My dear fella,'' Kramer said with his expansive insincere smile, “you have nothing to worry about. He's here.” He waved to Moe. “The Cranes may be a little wild, but our friend here can control them.

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