Sad Wind From the Sea - Jack Higgins [25]
Charlie shook his head and lit a Turkish cigarette. 'Thanks, nothing. It's your neck. You've got a reputation for always having an ace up your sleeve. That's the thing that really influenced my decision.'
Hagen felt calmer. 'Okay, let's get down to business. This whole thing has to be played very cleverly and this is the way I want you to do it. You go to Herrara, the Customs chief, and tell him that I owe you a large sum of money. Tell him that I dropped it at your tables and can't pay. I'll give you a note showing that I've made the boat over to you. All you have to do then is discharge my debts and the boat is legally yours. If we do it that way Herrara will be happy because he'll think he's beached me and the story will get around the waterfront. If we're lucky it might put the Commies off the scent for a while.'
'Sounds good to me,' Charlie said. 'What do I do with the boat?'
'Have her taken to that beach-house of yours and we'll leave tomorrow night under cover of darkness.'
Charlie frowned and considered the plan. 'Don't you think you're rushing things a little?'
Hagen shook his head. 'On the contrary. I want to catch the opposition on the hop. With real luck I could be into the Kwai and out again before they've realized it.'
'Okay, boy,' Charlie said. 'Have it your own way. I'll have the boat and the necessary supplies taken out to my beach-house.'
'Don't forget the arms I asked for,' Hagen reminded him.
'They'll be there,' Charlie said. 'There's just one other thing. About the crew.'
Hagen was surprised. 'What about the crew? I told you O'Hara and the girl would be ample.'
Charlie shook his head and said softly: 'I like to lay off my bets as much as possible. Now what if you did manage to get the gold? You might get ideas.' He grinned amiably. 'Nothing personal, you understand, but we're all human.'
Hagen smiled slowly. 'All right. Point taken. What do you suggest?'
'I'm sending someone with you - just to protect my investment.'
Hagen laughed in amazement. 'Who have you got that's tired of life?'
Charlie lit another cigarette. 'The man I have in mind isn't tired of life exactly. Shall we say he's in no position to refuse. He's nowhere else to go - he depends on me.' He flung aside the blankets and got out of bed. 'This one's an American. A Navy man. Shot an M.P. in Tokio and had to leave in a hurry.'
Hagen shrugged. 'Okay, Charlie. If you want him to go, he goes. We need you to dispose of the gold, anyhow.'
He walked to the door and Charlie said, 'Give me a ring tonight and I'll let you know if everything is going according to plan.' Hagen nodded and left.
As he went downstairs he felt completely sure of himself for the first time in years. He was convinced that he had entered into one of those lucky streaks when he could do nothing wrong. He grinned at Harry and said: 'Set 'em up, boy. I'm celebrating a very satisfactory piece of business.'
Harry went behind the bar and poured whisky into two clean glasses. 'Here's luck, Mr Hagen,' he said.
Hagen slid a note across the counter. 'Better give me a bottle of rum, Harry. I'm going to see O'Hara.'
Harry looked wise and passed a bottle of cheap rum over the bar. 'I hear tell that man's been on a three-day jag in every joint in town. He's gonna wake up dead one mornin'.'
'Not that one, Harry. His stomach is lined with teak.' He swung the bottle by the neck as he walked out into the bright, hot street that was already beginning to swelter under the morning sun.
It was only when he reached the door of O'Hara's room that he remembered that he had taken the key away yesterday. He tried to remember where he had put it and then realized it had been in the pocket of the jacket he had discarded on the warehouse roof. He shrugged philosophically and, standing back, lifted a foot and crashed it against the lock. The door was worm-eaten and ancient with the years. It splintered and rocketed backwards.
He entered the dark room. The stench was appalling and the air in the room was stifling. He stumbled across to the window