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

and dead on time.’
    ‘No problem,’ he said, chewing on his hamburger. ‘Rich wants to talk to Terry. He’s hoping he can persuade him to return to his club.
    Liza is panting to get Terry back into bed. Both of them will play.’
    ‘Fine. Collect them, Bill, and bring them to the bank at 15.20. Not before. I want them to be a surprise.’
    After a ten-minute wait Miss Kertch said, ‘Mr. Ackland is free now.’
    I got up and entered Ackland’s office. As usual, he shook hands and beamed his bishop’s smile.
    ‘Well, Mr. Wallace, this should be most interesting,’ he said, waving me to a chair. ‘It’s not often I have an affair like this.’ He shifted in his chair. ‘I have all the necessary papers. I have spoken to Mr. Lewis. When Miss Thorsen identifies her brother the matter can be finalised.’
    I lit a cigarette, then relaxed back in the chair At exactly 15.00, the buzzer on Ackland’s desk sounded.
    I heard Miss Kertch’s voice squawk, ‘Mr. Terry Thorsen is here.’
    ‘Send him in,’ Ackland said, then beamed at me. ‘This will be more than interesting.’
    ‘You can say that yet again,’ I said.
    The door opened, and a man around 25 or so walked in. He was wearing a white shirt, and black trousers tucked into Mexican boots. His black hair was long to his shoulders. He was thin and had a lean, rat-like face with small, black suspicious eyes.
    Beaming, Ackland got to his feet.
    ‘Mr. Thorsen?’
    ‘Yeah,’ the man said, then stared at me. ‘Who’s this?’
    ‘I am representing your interests,’ I said, getting to my feet. ‘The name’s Wallace. I am working with Mr. Solly Lewis who is the late Miss Angus’s attorney.’
    His eyes shifted and he stared at Ackland.
    ‘Well, come on. I’m in a hurry. Where’s the money?’ His voice was harsh and his bearing hostile.
    Ackland flinched.
    ‘Naturally, Mr. Thorsen, I will require identification before giving you the money.’ He had lost his bishop’s smile.
    ‘What do you mean?’ There was a snarl in the voice, then the buzzer sounded.
    ‘Miss Thorsen, Mr. Ackland,’ Miss Kertch squawked. ‘Your sister, Mr. Thorsen,’ Ackland said. ‘I am sure you will be glad to see her again.’
    The door opened and Angela Thorsen entered. She was wearing the sweatshirt, blue jeans, the Mexican hat and the big sun goggles.
    She paused in the doorway, then moved directly to the man claiming to be Terry Thorsen.
    ‘Terry!’ she exclaimed. ‘This is marvellous! How long it has been!’
    ‘Yeah,’ the man who was claiming to be Thorsen said. ‘Look, we’ll talk later. I want the money, and then let’s get the hell out of here.’
    She nodded.
    ‘Of course, Terry.’ She turned to Ackland who was now standing and beaming. ‘This is my brother. Will you pay him, please? I want to have a long talk with him.’
    ‘Certainly, Miss Thorsen. You do identify him?’ Ackland said.
    ‘I said so, didn’t I?’ There was a hard snap in her voice. ‘I want to talk to my brother!’
    Looking flustered, Ackland pushed some papers across his desk.
    ‘If you would sign these, Mr. Thorsen, then I will arrange immediate payment.’ Ackland was falling over himself to give Angela Thorsen service. ‘How would you like the money?’
    ‘In cash,’ the longhaired man snarled, snatching the pen Ackland offered, and scrawled on the lines Ackland pointed out.
    While he was doing this I went to the door and looked out. I saw Bill waiting with two people who were clearly Harry Rich and Liza Manchini.
    ‘Mr. Rich, please,’ I said and signalled to Bill to hold back Miss Manchini. It looked like he’d have his work cut out.
    Harry Rich, immaculately dressed, moved into Ackland’s office.
    Ackland looked bewildered.
    ‘Who is this gentleman?’ he asked.
    ‘This is Mr. Harry Rich who owns a nightclub, Mr. Ackland,’ I said. ‘He employed Mr. Thorsen as a pianist. Mr. Thorsen was then known as Terry Zeigler. I thought it would be constructive for Mr. Rich