Parker pointed. “That one.”
Kapor lifted it and put it on the bed. “Do you feel capable of walking?”
“Yes.”
“Then, when you are ready, you’ll find me downstairs. Down the front staircase, and to your left.”
“All right. Wait. Where’s my gun?”
“Both guns are in the top dresser drawer. I put them there to avoid alarming the help.”
“O.K.”
Kapor smiled thinly, bowed, and left the room.
Parker dressed slowly, hampered by his stiffness and weakness. He needed a shave, and wanted to wash his face, but that could wait. He went out to the hall and downstairs, feeling better the more he moved. He turned left at the foot of the stairs and through a tall doorway into a large sitting room with a bar at the far end. Kapor was there, mixing himself something complicated, with sugar. He looked over. “Ah, there you are. Would you care for a drink?”
“Bourbon.”
“Medicinally. Of course.”
Kapor brought him a glass, waved him to a leather armchair, and sat down in another facing him. “Now,” he said, “if you think the time has come, I am willing to listen.”
“Menlo was sent here by his Ministry. They’re onto you, skimming the cream off the dough you handle. They figure you’ve stolen around a hundred G by now.”
Kapor’s smile disappeared, and his eyes narrowed. “The Ministry seems to have chosen an odd way to handle the situation.”
“They sent Menlo here to rub you out, quick and quiet. Find the money if he could, but mainly get rid of you. They did it that way, because any other way it might have leaked. There’s a big wad of cash due here soon, and they figured you were waiting for that before you took off.”
“More perspicacity than I had expected,” Kapor said, grim-faced.
“They’ve been holding it up on purpose, to keep you here till Menlo could get to you.”
“How charming.” Kapor unsheathed his gold cigarette case. “Cigarette?”
“Thanks.”
Kapor lit them both. “I still don’t understand what happened last night. What connection have you with Auguste Menlo?”
“He’d decided to take the dough himself.”
“Auguste Menlo? Incredible. He has a reputation for honesty that passes belief.”
“He was never offered a hundred G before.”
“Ah, so.” Kapor’s thin-lipped smile flashed again. “We are all human after all, eh?”
“We were in it with him. There’s a lot more to it than that, but that’s the way it winds up. We were in it with him. Also, a guy named Spannick got killed when he tipped to what Menlo was up to.”
“Ahh! I’d heard of his death, of course. He was at some unlikely address — But go on.”
“Menlo found out where you’d stashed the dough.”
“How?”
“Your maid, Clara Stoper.”
“I see. She hasn’t been here the last few days.”
“She’s dead.”
“So much violence going on, all around me, and I never knew. And I was its target all along. It’s a frightening thought. So you came here last night and Menlo double-crossed you.”
“That’s it.”
“And now you say you know where to find him?”
“Right.”
“How?”
“That’s my business.”
“Ah. Of course.” Kapor settled back in his chair, smoking and gazing thoughtfully over Parker’s head. “If I want any of my money at all, I suppose I had best go along with you.”
“That’s right.”
“I imagine you plan to kill Menlo?”
“Yes.”
“Please do a better job on him than he did on you.”
“Don’t worry.”
“Not about that, no. But about this other matter. How long do I have before the Ministry decides to send someone else?”
“I don’t know.”
“Are they aware of Menlo’s change of heart?”
“I don’t think so. Spannick found out, but he’s dead. Menlo claimed Spannick wouldn’t have reported to them until he’d taken care of things.”
“That sounds logical. Spannick was the ultimate egotist. But how did he find out in the first place? If he did, won’t others?”
“No. It was an earlier double-cross, before my partner and I came in on it.”
“It sounds so complex. I have the feeling I’ve heard barely a quarter of the story.”
Parker shrugged. “You heard all of your part.”
“Yes. Economy in all things. I assume Menlo has left Washington?”
“Yes.”
“Do you feel strong enough to travel?”
“I think so.”
“Will you want anyone with you? I can offer you one or two willing helpers.”
“I can handle it myself.”
“Yes, I suppose you can. Very well, then. Can I make any sort of travel reservations for you?”
“Yes. The first plane I can get to Miami.”
“Miami! He’s spending my money already, is he?”
“Yes.”
Kapor squinted again, gazing over Parker’s shoulder. “Now, I wonder,” he said. “You tell me Menlo is in Miami. I wonder—”
“Forget it. Miami is a big town. I know where in Miami; you don’t. I know who he’s going to contact.”
Kapor smiled sadly. “You are perfectly correct. I fear I must be satisfied with my fifty per cent. Now, one last question. How long will this take? It is now Saturday. Neither of us can be certain how long the Ministry will remain patient.”
“Three or four days at the most. But what about my partner?”
“Ah, yes. If I disappear, what becomes of him? You won’t return before Monday, I take it?”
“I doubt it,” Parker answered.
“I will talk to the doctor. If he agrees, I will have your friend moved to a private rest home on Monday. I shall expect you to pay the bill, of course, out of your half of my money.”
“It isn’t your money either,” Parker reminded him.
Kapor laughed. “The doctrine of private property,” he said. “Don’t you know that’s against my religion? Nevertheless, I should prefer that you take care of the expenses of your friend’s confinement.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Excellent. I shall now call the airport and make your reservation. When the time comes you will be driven out to the airport in my personal car.”
“Great.”
“Do you want to see your friend now?”
“Is he awake?”
“No, I’m sorry to say he is still unconscious.”
“Then never mind.”
“Whatever you say.” Kapor got to his feet. “If there’s anything you need,” he said, “do not hesitate to ask.”
“I won’t.”
3
Parker moved across the crowded lobby, keeping his left elbow stuck out to protect his side, and pushed through to the desk. He signaled, and when one of the clerks came he said, “Ralph Harrow. He checked in yet?”
“Just one moment, sir.” The clerk checked, and then came back. “He doesn’t seem to be expected sir.”
So Menlo wasn’t here yet. That either meant he was driving down or he was holed up somewhere for a few days. Unless Parker had figured him wrong completely. But that didn’t make any sense. Menlo had gone after Bett, to get the details of the job Parker was doing for her father. He had taken the statue. It didn’t make sense any way but one; Menlo was coming down here to peddle the mourner to Harrow, probably in return for Harrow giving him some sort of a cover.
The only thing to do was wait. “Tell Freedman that Charles Willis is here without a reservation and could use a room.”
“Mr. Freedman, sir?”
“He’s your boss.”
“Yes, sir, I know. One moment, please.”