Half an hour later, Maverick joined him.
aLuggage, Roger,a Kendrick said as Maverick sat down by his side. aMrs. Lepski must have smart luggage to go with her purchases.a aShe is a little stubborn about money,a Maverick said. aStill, it is an idea. Iall see if I can persuade her.a Kendrick laid his fat hand on Maverickas arm.
aShe must have luggage: a nice suitcase and a vanity box. In fact, dear Roger, you had better provide two suitcases: one for her and one for her husband, but the vanity box is a must.a Maverick studied his cousin.
aI rather doubt . . .a aWait. You will offer these pieces of luggage at such a ridiculously low price, she wonat be able to resist. I will pay the difference.a aYou are not being frank with me, Claude,a Maverick said, his voice sharp. aYou are cooking up something.a aYes.a Kendrick sighed. He knew his cousin. aLet us say I will pay you ten thousand dollars, and no questions asked.a aI am sorry, Claude. I will want to know what all this is about. I refuse to be involved in something you are hatching, unless I know exactly what it is.a Kendrick sighed again. He knew he would get no cooperation from his cousin without laying his cards face up. His sudden inspiration had to be the solution of getting the icon to Switzerland. The icon, carried by a well-known police officer, surely would cross the frontiers. Knowing it would now cost him a great deal of money, he told Maverick of the big steal.
chapter three.
For the next two days, Carroll was extremely busy and loving every minute. She took Lepski to Harry Levine, one of the better tailors in the city, and supervised his kitting out for the trip. Lepski had flamboyant tastes, but Carroll would have none of it. She chose a charcoal-grey suit for eveningwear, a sports outfit, a pair of extra dark blue slacks, four conservative shirts and three conservative ties. Although Lepski argued, she stamped on his objections, announcing that if he wanted that G.o.d-awful shirt he kept fingering, then he would pay for it himself.
Finally, satisfied her husband would travel as a suitably dressed escort, she told Harry Levine to deliver the purchases and she paid by cheque.
aI need a new hat,a Lepski said. aGot to have a hat.a aLepski!a Carroll snapped. aOnly cops and old, bald men wear hats these days! You donat need a hat! I donat want you to look like a cop!a aG.o.dd.a.m.n it! I am a cop!a Lepski shouted.
aNo hat!a Carroll said firmly, aand if you dare to take that abortion you are now wearing on your head, Iall destroy it! Now, go back to work. Iam going to have my fitting.a Leaving Lepski muttering to himself, she walked the two blocks to Maverick.
She had a dreamy two hours with two fitters who pinned and smoothed and murmured compliments about her figure. To Carroll, this was living! Finally, the fitters told her the dresses and the travelling suit would be delivered in two daysa time.
Leaving the fitting room, Carroll found Maverick waiting.
aMrs. Lepski! I do hope you are happy,a he said with his wide, white toothy smile.
aMarvellous!a Carroll exclaimed. aI canat thank you enough!a aNow the handbags and the shoes.a After another hour, guided by Maverick, Carroll bought three pairs of shoes and two handbags. She was nearly delirious with happiness.
Money! she thought. What it is to have money!
aMrs. Lepski, there is one other thing,a Maverick said.
aNothing more,a Carroll said firmly. aI said seven thousand and I mean seven thousand.a aSo far, you have spent six thousand, five hundred dollars,a Maverick told her. aHave you thought about luggage? You and your husband will need smart-looking luggage when arriving in Paris. Alas, hotels judge people by their luggage no matter how well they are dressed. Have you thought of this?a Carroll hadnat. She remembered the last time she and Lepski had gone on vacation what a sorry state their suitcases had been in. She remembered with a shudder Lepskias awful suitcase which he had inherited from his grandfather.
aWell, no. I hadnat thought . . . I suppose . . .a At a signal from Maverick, one of his smartly dressed sales girls came in with two splendid-looking suitcases in dark blue leather with dark red bands.
aNow these cases have a little history,a Maverick lied. aThey were ordered by one of my very rich clients who is extremely difficult to please. I had them made especially for her and to her specifications. She returned them, complaining they were not large enough. We had a little argument.a He paused to give Carroll his toothy smile. aSince she had ordered them, she paid for them and I made larger ones for her. So, Mrs. Lepski, I can offer you these two magnificent suitcases for one hundred dollars. What do you say?a Carroll examined the suitcases. She thought they were the most beautiful suitcases she had ever seen, and she longed to possess them.
aBut that is almost giving them away,a she said.
aWell, not quite. I have been paid for them. I would like to do you a little favour.a Carroll didnat hesitate.
aItas a deal.a aHow wise. Then, Mrs. Lepski, I have a vanity box to match these two suitcases, and this I propose to offer you as a present. It is really rather nice.a The sales girl produced the vanity box. When Carroll saw how it was fitted, she could only gape at it.
aYou mean you are giving it to me?a aWhy not? Itas been paid for and your kind order deserves a slight return. Please accept it.a aWhy, thank you! Itas just marvellous!a aI will deliver the dresses and the cases to you on Wednesday. I understand you will be leaving on Thursday.a aOh, I can take them with me.a Carroll was reluctant to be parted from her purchases.
aPlease, Mrs. Lepski. I would like to put your initials and Mr. Lepskias initials on the cases. I would also like to furbish the vanity box with our special selection of cosmetics. Do leave it to me.a aI canat thank you enough, Mr. Maverick. Then Wednesday?a aWithout fail, Mrs. Lepski,a and Maverick escorted her to the elevator.
Three minutes later, he was speaking to Kendrick on the telephone.
aNo problem, dear Claude,a he said. aShe is happy with the suitcases, and I have promised to deliver them and the vanity box Wednesday morning.a aSplendid!a Kendrick exclaimed. aThe object is eight inches by nine and half an inch thick.a aI will personally dismantle the vanity box. The object, of course, will add to the weight, but not unduly.a aYes. That is a small problem.a aShe didnat pick the box up. She wonat know the difference. I plan to fill the box with our most de luxe cosmetics. She will be dazzled by the contents. Even if the box weighed a hundredweight, she wouldnat be parted from it.a aSplendid work, Roger.a aYou owe me three thousand dollars, Claude.a Kendrick sighed.
aYes.a aAnd one hundred thousand when the object is paid for.a Again Kendrick sighed.
aYes.a aGood. Send Louis to me Tuesday evening. Bye now,a and Maverick hung up.
Kendrick replaced the receiver, took off his wig and polished his baldhead with his silk handkerchief. Then slapping the wig on anyhow, he called for Louis.
There was a delay as Louis was engaged with a client, but twenty minutes later, he slid into Kendrickas office.
aThe replica, cheri.a Kendrick said. aIs it ready?a aOf course . . . a beautiful job.a Louis looked uneasily at Kendrick. aThis is dreadfully dangerous, baby. It really has me worried.a aBring it to me!a Kendrick snapped. He was far from being happy about this operation, but he kept reminding himself of the three million dollar profit.
When Louis returned with the replica of the icon, Kendrickas confidence rose.
aYou are a craftsman, cheri,a he said. aThis is very good.a He carefully compared the replica with the ill.u.s.tration of the original.
aI couldnat match the colours exactly,a Louis said, abut it is near enough.a aYes . . . near enough.a aDo be careful what you are doing, baby,a Louis said. aThere will be a horrid uproar. We could land in jail.a Kendrick silently agreed, but he put the replica in his briefcase, straightened his wig and made for the door.
aRelax, cheri. Think of the money you will be making.a He left the Gallery and drove to the Spanish Bay hotel where he found Ed Haddon sunning himself on the terrace.
aLet us go to your apartment, Ed,a Kendrick said after the two men had shaken hands.
In Haddonas luxury apartment, the door closed and locked, Kendrick produced the replica.
aYour man is good,a Haddon said, taking the replica and examining it. aThis is just what I want.a aLet us sit down. I have found a possible solution to get the original to Switzerland. If this doesnat work, nothing will. There is a risk, of course, but I think a minor one,a Kendrick said as he sat down in a comfortable chair.
Haddon grinned and rubbed his hands.
aI felt sure you would come up with an idea, Claude. How is it to be done?a aFirst, you are certain you can get the icon?a Haddon sat by Kendrickas side.
aDonat letas waste time. I said you will have the icon Tuesday,a Haddon said irritably. aYouall have it! How do you get it to Switzerland?a Kendrick told him about his cousin, Roger Maverick.
aBy the sheerest luck, the wife of a police officer came to Rogeras shop to buy clothes. She has inherited money. She and her husband, Lepski, are going to Europe on vacation. They go to Paris, Monte Carlo and Switzerland. This means they will go through the French and Swiss customs controls. My cousin has sold her suitcases and a vanity box. My cousin will take the vanity box to pieces, insert the icon and put the box together again. What do you think?a Haddon stared at him.
aYou mean you are using a cop to smuggle the icon out?a Kendrick nodded.
aWhat better and safer person? Who would suspect a first grade detective on vacation smuggling the icon out of the country? Lepski is well known to the customsa officials at Miami airport. They will wave him through. He has only to show his shield for the French and the Swiss officials also to wave him through. Do you like the idea?a Haddon brooded for a long minute, then grinned.
aLooks like you and I, Claude, are going to make a great deal of money. I love the idea!a aYes.a Kendrick shifted uneasily, abut there are still problems.a Haddon gave him a sharp look.
aWhat problems?a aWe are handing Lepskias wife six million dollars, Ed,a Kendrick said. aOf course, she doesnat realize that, but nevertheless, she will have charge of six million dollars. I know nothing about her. She may be a pea-brain. She may be one of these women who leave things behind, lose things, forget things. Suppose she left the vanity box somewhere? You follow my thinking?a aShe would leave her pants behind, but sheas not going to leave a valuable vanity box behind.a aAll the same . . . women do do awful things like even leaving their diamonds behind.a Haddon nodded.
aYouare right. Okay, Claude, Iall fix it.a He looked at his watch. aIall fly up to Washington and talk to Bradey. We must arrange for someone to be with the Lepskis until they reach Switzerland. Bradey will take care of that.a Kendrick relaxed.
aThatas it, Ed. Someone who will never let her or Lepski out of his sight, but warn Bradey that Lepski is a smart cop. They will have to be tailed with care.a aLeave it to me. Iall personally deliver the icon to your Gallery around five oaclock Tuesday and I will let you know what I have arranged. Donat worry, Claude, this is going to work.a Four hours later, Haddon was talking to Lu Bradey, still disguised as a clergyman. They were sitting together in Bradeyas motor hotel room.
Bradey nodded approval when he heard of Kendrickas plan to smuggle the icon to Switzerland.
aThatas real smart,a he said.
Then Haddon explained Kendrickas fears.
aThis is where we have to help, Lu,a he said. aI will check that the Lepskis get through the Miami customs. When they reach Paris we will need someone to tail them and stick with them, making sure the vanity box remains in their possession. Any ideas?a Bradey thought, then nodded.
aNo problem. Pierre and Claudette Duvine. They are my French agents and smart. You can leave this to me, Ed. Itall cost, of course, but they will stick to the Lepskis like glue all the way through the Swiss frontier.a aSure?a Bradey smiled.
aMy dear Ed!a * * *
Haddon nodded, satisfied.
In a comfortably furnished duplex apartment on rue Alfred Bruneau in the 16th arrondiss.e.m.e.nt, Paris, Pierre Duvine was counting the remaining money he had in his wallet, and in the world.
Duvine, dark, around thirty-seven years of age, was often mistaken for Alain Delon, the French movie actor. He was an expert in antiques, jewellery and 18th-century paintings. Working on a profitable commission, he kept Lu Bradey informed of sound, possible steals.
As everyone knows, Paris is a dead city during the month of August. It was only just coming alive in this first week in September. Even now, there were plenty of parking places, and the best restaurants were only just beginning to stretch their limbs for yet another profitable season.
Usually, Pierre and his wife spent August in the Midi where the action was, but Pierre had had an unpleasant motoring accident, and was only just out of hospital. Claudette, his wife, who was devoted to him, had stayed in their Paris apartment so she could visit him in hospital every day.
He fingered the bank notes and frowned.
Claudette came in from the bathroom.
aMoney?a she asked, looking at the bank notes Pierre was fingering.
Claudette, five years younger than Pierre, even at ten oaclock in the morning, even having just rolled out of bed, presented a charming picture. She was tall, slender, with Venetian red hair and emerald-green eyes. Long legged with a superb, lithesome body, she played an important part in Duvineas machinations.
Time and again, she had s.e.xed some rich old man into inviting her to his home, noted with expertise anything; worth stealing, allowed the old man to take her to bed, then returning home, gave Pierre a detailed description of the articles worth stealing, the kind of locks, the alarm system and so on. This information was pa.s.sed to Lu Bradey who then organized the steal.
The Duvines had been happily married now for five years and although there were times when Pierre was moody, and sometimes bad tempered, Claudette, recognizing the signs, soothed and s.e.xed him into a good mood. Not once had they quarrelled, due to Claudetteas calming influence.
aWe are getting short of cash,a Pierre said gloomily. aAfter paying that awful hospital bill, weall be down to practically nothing.a Claudette stroked his face lovingly.
aNever mind, my treasure, something always turns up. Give me five minutes, and Iall have coffee for you.a Pierre patted her bottom and smiled.
aSugar, you are my heart and my life.a She ran off to the bedroom while Pierre recounted his money.
He had a little over ten thousand francs. He grimaced. Among his many talents, he was an expert pickpocket. Since working with Lu Bradey, he had dropped dipping into pockets, but maybe, he thought uneasily, he would have to begin again until the rich returned to Paris. He didnat like the thought. There was always a risk, and he was out of practice.
As Claudette brought in a tray with coffee, the telephone bell rang.
They looked at each other.
aNow, who can this be?a Pierre got to his feet. He lifted the receiver. aPierre Duvine,a he announced.
aThis is Lu Bradey.a The voice came clearly over the trans-Atlantic line. aIam in Washington. I have a job for you. Meet me at the Charles de Gaulle Hilton bar at 23.30 tonight. Bring Claudette,a and the line went dead.
aBradey!a Pierre exclaimed, beaming at Claudette. aA job!a Both of them knew, when working with Bradey, the money was always good.
aSee, my treasure?a Claudette cried, setting down the coffee tray. aI said something would turn up,a and she threw herself into Pierreas arms.
At exactly 23.30, Pierre and Claudette walked into the crowded Hilton bar. They looked around and found no one resembling Lu Bradey until a hand touched Pierreas arm.
Turning, he found a small, insignificant-looking businessman, wearing a beard and moustache, his complexion sallow, his half-moon gla.s.ses at the end of his nose, at his side.
Both the Duvines were used to Bradeyas many disguises, but for a moment, the disguise was so good, they hesitated.
aWeall go to my room,a Bradey said quietly.
Nothing was said until they reached the third floor, and Bradey unlocked the door of his room. Once inside, Pierre said, aYou are fantastic, Lu.a aOf course.a Bradey waved Claudette to the only armchair, waved Pierre to an upright chair and sat on the bed. aI have an urgent and important job for you two. Now, listen carefully.a With no mention of the icon, Bradey told them that they had to remain in constant touch with Tom and Carroll Lepski as soon as they arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport on this coming Friday.
aThey are doing Paris, then Monte Carlo and the Midi, then going on to Switzerland,a he told them. aYour job is to stick closer to them than a baby to its motheras t.i.t. The woman will be carrying a vanity box. In this box, unknown to either of them, will be an object that has to reach Switzerland. It will be built into the box and I donat antic.i.p.ate any trouble with the customs, but it is your job to see the woman does carry it through the Swiss customs.a Pierreas expression became thoughtful.
aWhat is the object?a aThat you neednat know, but it is valuable.a aNot drugs?a aOf course not! It is an objet daart.a Pierre and Claudette exchanged glances.
aDoesnat sound difficult. Whatas in it for us?a Pierre asked.
aTwenty thousand Swiss francs, and all expenses paid,a Bradey said, who had been doing calculations on the flight to Paris. aYou can regard this job as a paid vacation.a aLetas get this clear,a Pierre said who was cautious when dealing with Bradey. aWe are to follow these two, stay at the same hotels, make sure the woman always leaves with her vanity box when they move to another hotel, and when they pa.s.s through the Swiss customs, we get paid twenty thousand Swiss francs. Right?a Bradey stroked his false beard.
aA little more than that, Pierre. You will stay with them at their Swiss hotel. You will take the box when they are out of the room and bring it to me at the Eden hotel, Zurich, and I will pay you off.a aWho are these people?a Claudette asked.
aA good question. Yes, you must know. The man is a first grade detective attached to the Paradise City, Florida, police force. She is his wife.a Pierre stiffened.
aAre you telling me I am to steal a vanity box from the wife of a top-cla.s.s cop?a aWhatas wrong with that?a aPlenty. As soon as the box is missing, the cop will raise h.e.l.l. I donat like this, Lu.a Bradey smiled.
aRelax. He wonat know it has been taken.a aBut his wife will,a Claudette said sharply.
aNeither of them will. I have arranged for an exact replica of the box to be made and I will deliver it to you in Switzerland. All you have to do, Pierre, is to get into their room while they are out, open Mrs. Lepskias vanity box, put her personal stuff into the replica, then walk out with the original box. Neither Lepski nor his wife will have an idea the boxes have been switched.a Duvine considered this, then nodded.
aNice idea. Okay, letas go further into this. Where will they be staying? In Paris and in Monaco, you just canat get a room without a reservation. If we are to stay at their hotels, I must know in which hotel to book.a aI have that covered.a Bradey took from his wallet a folded sheet of paper. aEd worked it. Kendrickas cousin went to the American Express in Paradise City and told the girl who is handling the Lepskias trip that he wanted to send flowers to each hotel where they stop. She gave him a copy of their itinerary. They stay at the Excelsior hotel, Paris, for four days, the Metropole hotel in Monaco for three days, and at the Montreux Palace, Montreux for three days. You will switch boxes at the Palace hotel. Here are the dates,a and he handed Pierre the sheet of paper.
aTwenty thousand Swiss francs and all expenses?a aYes.a Claudette gave an ecstatic sigh.
Pierre studied the itinerary. After a few moments, he looked at Bradey with a smile.
aI have an idea. Suppose we happen to be at Charles de Gaulle when the Lepskis arrive. Suppose Claudette gets chatting with the Lepskis, then I arrive. Staying at the Excelsior? What a coincidence! We are staying there too, then we are driving to Monaco. My caras outside. Letas all go together to the Excelsior. I know Americans. I a.s.sure you by the time we get to the Excelsior, we will be old friends. Americans want to be loved. I will then offer to show them Paris, then drive them down to Monaco. I will be able to iron out all their problems with the language. This way we will never let the vanity box out of our sight. What do you think?a aI like it, but be careful of Lepski. Heas a cop.a aYes. Now how about some money, Lu?a Pierre said. aIam short.a Bradey took out his wallet.
As Gustav Holtz was packing doc.u.ments in a briefcase, Herman Radnitz came in.
aYou are to see Kendrick and find out from him exactly how he is proposing to smuggle the icon to Zurich and who his confederates are. Donat stand any nonsense with him. Unless I am convinced he can get the icon to Zurich, I will drop the business.a aYes, sir,a Holtz said. aI will go now.a aWait.a Radnitz lit a cigar. aI need a replacement for Lu Silk.a For a brief moment, Holtzas eyes narrowed.
Lu Silk had been Radnitzas hired killer: a ruthless. .h.i.tman who removed people who threatened to upset Radnitzas various deals. Only a few months ago, Silk had been killed while working on an operation in which Radnitz was not implicated.
From long experience, Radnitz had discovered that Holtz invariably came up with an immediate solution for many of his problems, but he was surprised when Holtz nodded.