Free 1984 - Hit Them Where it Hurts by James Hadley Chase

a Mr. Lewis who is Miss Angus’s executor, and until he finds Mr. Thorsen, who appears to have disappeared, the money remains in the bank. What is this to do with your investigation?’
    ‘I am hoping that Terrance Thorsen could be helpful, Mr. Ackland. He has been told by friends that he can pick up this large sum of money, and it seems he has appeared. Up to now, he has not been in evidence, but the amount of money due to him brings him to the surface.’
    ‘Extraordinary,’ Ackland muttered.
    ‘Have you ever met Terry Thorsen?’
    Ackland looked startled.
    ‘No. I’ve never seen him.’
    ‘So when a man walks into your office claiming a hundred thousand dollars you wouldn’t know if he was Terry Thorsen?’
    Ackland half rose out of his chair, then sat hack.
    ‘You mean there could be an impostor?’
    ‘Well, a hundred thousand—it isn’t peanuts.’
    ‘Of course, I would need identification.’
    ‘It occurred to me, Mr. Ackland, the best identification you could have is to invite Miss Angela Thorsen to attend, and if she identifies her brother, there should be no problem.’
    His fat face brightened.
    ‘That is a very constructive idea, Mr. Wallace.’
    ‘Could we set this up sometime this afternoon?’
    ‘Well—’ He looked at his appointment book. ‘Yes, perhaps, around three o’clock.’
    ‘Would you telephone Miss Thorsen to see if she will come? I expect she will be happy to see her brother again.’
    ‘Yes, of course. I want to do everything I can to help the Thorsen family. Let me see if I can reach her.’ He pressed a button and told Miss Kertch to connect him with Miss Angela Thorsen.
    There was a good five-minute wait while I smoked a cigarette and Ackland turned papers around on his desk. When the call came through, he was all oil.
    ‘This is Horace Ackland of the Pacific & National Bank. I do hope I am not disturbing you.’ He listened, nodded, then went on, ‘I don’t know if you are aware that your brother, Terrance, has inherited a hundred thousand dollars.’ He listened again, then went on, ‘Yes. Mr. Wallace has been most helpful. Now, Miss Thorsen, it is necessary to make sure the man who is claiming all this money is your brother. This is, of course, red tape, but as I have never met nor seen your brother I need him to be identified. Would you be prepared to come here at three o’clock this afternoon and identify your brother for me?’
    He listened nodding.
    ‘Yes, I can understand that. It is a long time since you have seen him. I understand that you will be pleased to see him again. Splendid! Then I will expect you at my office at three o’clock this afternoon. Thank you, Miss Thorsen,’ and he hung up.
    Looking at me, he said, ‘Of course, she will be only too happy to cooperate. I see no problem.’
    I felt sorry for him. Horace Ackland didn’t know Angela Thorsen as I did.
    ‘Fine,’ I said, and got to my feet. ‘I’ll be here at three o’clock.’
    ‘Do that, Mr. Wallace.’ He rose to his feet and, leaning across his desk, shook hands.
    ‘This should be a very interesting meeting.’
    ‘I guess so. See you later,’ and I left him.
    At 14.45, I walked into the Pacific & National Bank and gave Miss Kertch my friendly smile, which bounced off her like a golf ball flung against a concrete wall.
    ‘Mr. Ackland is engaged,’ she snapped.
    ‘OK. Just tell him I’m here.’ I walked to a lounging chair and made myself comfortable.
    I have always found banks offer a lot of interest. I watched people come and go. I watched fat old women putting money into their bags. I watched them chat up the teller, who had a fixed, kindly smile for each of the old t rout as they arrived. Banking was not for me, I decided.
    Bill and I had had a scratch lunch. He had told me he had seen not only Harry Rich but also a Miss Liza Manchini, his receptionist, who had been Terry’s girlfriend at the time of his disappearance.
    ‘Great stuff, Bill. A really nice bit of probing,