Free 1977 - My Laugh Comes Last by James Hadley Chase Page B

Bill I had steadied down.
    ‘Look, Joe, you can see I'm working under pressure,' I said. 'Mrs. Marsh didn't ask about the security of the bank. Is that all you want to know?'
    'Just how safe is the security of the bank?' He showed no sign of going.
    'As safe as could be.'
    'Now, suppose a smart bunch of thieves decided to break into the bank. Do you think they could do it?'
    This was now moving on to very thin ice. I must not commit myself. Klaus could force me to tell him how to make a breakin.
    'I would have thought their chances would be a hundred to one against,' I said.
    'Is that right?' Thomson dropped more ash into my ash bowl. 'Manson says they wouldn't stand a ghost of a chance. He says the security of the bank is more than a hundred per cent.'
    "You're making this difficult for me, Joe,' I said. ‘ Just how much did Manson tell you about the electronic safety controls I have installed in the bank?'
    'Not a thing. He said he was satisfied no one could break in, and that's all he told me.'
    'He is right to a point, but there is always some freak chance we haven't thought of.'
    ‘Listen to me, citizen. I was elected sheriff of Sharnville three years ago. The crime rate of this town, because I am always looking ahead, run out undesirables, and have a smart lot of men, is the lowest in the state, and I intend to keep it that way. This Marsh woman bothers me. She could be a front for a gang with eyes on our bank. I don't say she is, but she could be, and it is my business to check on people like her. She tried pretty hard to get information from Manson about the security of the bank, but failed, but that doesn't mean the gang - if there is a gang - will give up. Just suppose there is an attack on the bank, I wouldn't get elected sheriff for my next term, and that would hit me where I live. Understand?'
    'I think you can relax, Joe,' I said. 'I understand your position and your responsibility, but the bank is as safe as it can be.'
    'That's what Manson said, but you said a hundred to one against. What's the one?'
    'I don't know, but there is always some bright boy who could dream up a bright idea,' I said. 'The unexpected has always to be taken into consideration.'
    He stubbed out his cigarette and lit another.
    'That's right. Now, Manson and you are the only two in this town who know how the security works... right?'
    My secretary looked in.
    'Mr. Harriman is waiting, Mr. Lucas.'
    'Just a few minutes,' I said, then looking at Thomson, I went on, 'Mr. Brannigan also knows.'
    'Suppose a smart gang kidnapped you or Manson or both of you and put you under pressure? It happens. Could they bust into the bank once he or you talked?'
    ‘No.'
    He stared thoughtfully at me.
    'Even if they really gave you the works?'
    ‘We might be forced to tell them how the gimmicks worked, but they still wouldn't have the expertise to make them work.'
    'And yet you said some bright boy might dream up a bright idea. What did you mean by that?'
    I became aware that a trickle of sweat was running down my face.
    'There is always a remote chance that someone with top-class electronic expertise just might be able to unscramble my gimmicks, but it is very, very unlikely.'
    He thought for a moment, then nodding, he got to his feet.
    'Thanks for your time. I'm now waiting to hear from Washington. If she has a record, I'll trouble you again. No smart gang is going to bust into our bank while I am sheriff. I'll get clearance from Mr. Brannigan for Manson and you to explain to me just how secure this bank is so I can protect it.' He tapped his long, hawk-like nose. 'I can smell trouble a mile off, and I'm smelling it now,' then with a curt nod, he left me.
    It took me three evenings of hard thinking to make up my mind how to deal with Klaus. The threat to Glenda and the threat of a life sentence for me were far too deadly for me to attempt a rash bluff, but that didn't mean I intended to surrender to Klaus's pressure. I knew once Klaus's people broke