Chapter Seventeen
Calico I still sat in my apartment waiting at midnight. Anya still hadn't left David's room, except for once when she went, and returned with some cigarettes, so still I waited. I really couldn't comprehend why Anya was staying with David for the night. That was so.not like her. Cali was outside at the moment, probably hunting mice or something. The phone's tone almost made me jump. but not quite. "Hello?" I whispered, not taking the chance of being heard by ears across the hall. "Hi, Calico. You're in trouble. Wanna know why? Nicole and Anya are presently climbing down the fire escape. They're gonna catch the next train outta here. Alex's going to throw a fit when he finds out, and I'm callin' him next. Actually, I'm beginning to think it'll be a fist he throws at you instead of a fit, but still.have a nice day." "David!" I cried, but then heard the dial tone. David the bastard had hung up. "Damn!" I slammed the receiver of my phone down on a table, breaking it nearly in half. Of course, I was not and am not stupid. That might have just been a distraction so I'd go running down to the station while they all sat in the man's apartment. Then again, they might be at the train station that very moment. Either way, I had to get moving. Soon. Out the door and across the hall, I busted down Mr. Marrow's door and rushed in. Then I searched the entire house. When I was at the doorway, again, I stopped dead. There was a message addressed to me taped onto the door. Pulling it off and reading it quickly, I swore. Then I marched out, dropping the letter which said:
"Dearest Calico the Assassin, Be sure Steven reads the following and follows the instructions carefully, or you're never getting your money.or any money, for that matter.
Steven, Hi. I'm David. Do you remember me this time, or must I tell you who I am again? You know what? I've decided not to kill Nicole. In fact, I'm taking her with me. We're moving to Bermuda. Of course, that means I'll have to change my I. D. again, but I really don't give a damn at this point. Nicole suggested the name James Marques. Marques.how do you think that'll look on the marriage license? Ah well, we might come up with something better for it. By the way-do you mind if I use the ring you gave her? A criminal like me can't exactly go into a jewelry store and buy a diamond ring.I wonder why. huh. Anyway, if you want your wife killed, you're gonna have to offer me a hell- of-a lot more than you have. You know, I've always wanted a cabin up north. But cash is good too. And I don't mean counter fit crap like what you gave me this morning-I'm not stupid, I can tell what's real and what's not-I mean real money.about thirty or forty grand'll do. I want twenty million in twenties and ten million in tens at least, if that's inconvenient for you, just sent me the money in bills-nothing larger than a fifty. Here are your instructions: Box up my money and mail it to the postal office in Bermuda for 'Richard Lamar' to pick up.
Wait for my answer and your wife's well.I can't really give you a proof of life, can I, since you want her dead? Ah well, I'll send you a something.a.proof of death.
Keep Calico away from Bermuda no matter what. We'll be watching for her, believe me. If she turns up we'll see her. You're probably wondering why the hell you should listen to me. Well I'll give you a damned good reason. I've got a recording of you from this morning when we met. It says, and I quote, 'If you mess up like that again, I'm gonna kill you!' 'Really? Personally or.' Don't believe me? Hear for yourself. Rest assured, I have a copy, and am not afraid of turning it in.
A tape was enclosed with the message.
* * *
"I like that." Alex mused, after reading the letter. "It shows that he's either incredibly smart or incredibly stupid, but, no matter what, that he's strong." "And this is a good thing?" I asked, in a slight state of confusion. "No. If it's the second one, then it means he can be manipulated. If it's the first thing, then that means I'm not asking a totally mindless man to kill my wife. He's got some sense." He re-read the letter swiftly. "And spirit." Another pause came. "And a very promising and useful background of lying." He almost laughed. I stepped forward to read over his shoulder. "What do you mean?" "He speaks of marrying Nicole. He wouldn't do that. She's too valuable to him dead." "He might not have been joking." He looked up at the words. "Why do you say that?" I cocked my head in a taunting manner, but answered none-the-less. "She spent the night at his place." "WHAT?" I said nothing, just stood reading and re-reading the letter over and over. He demanded. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" "I didn't think it had any significance at the time." "Why's that?" "The lady-Anya-was there too." "All night?" I confirmed. "All night."
Calico I still sat in my apartment waiting at midnight. Anya still hadn't left David's room, except for once when she went, and returned with some cigarettes, so still I waited. I really couldn't comprehend why Anya was staying with David for the night. That was so.not like her. Cali was outside at the moment, probably hunting mice or something. The phone's tone almost made me jump. but not quite. "Hello?" I whispered, not taking the chance of being heard by ears across the hall. "Hi, Calico. You're in trouble. Wanna know why? Nicole and Anya are presently climbing down the fire escape. They're gonna catch the next train outta here. Alex's going to throw a fit when he finds out, and I'm callin' him next. Actually, I'm beginning to think it'll be a fist he throws at you instead of a fit, but still.have a nice day." "David!" I cried, but then heard the dial tone. David the bastard had hung up. "Damn!" I slammed the receiver of my phone down on a table, breaking it nearly in half. Of course, I was not and am not stupid. That might have just been a distraction so I'd go running down to the station while they all sat in the man's apartment. Then again, they might be at the train station that very moment. Either way, I had to get moving. Soon. Out the door and across the hall, I busted down Mr. Marrow's door and rushed in. Then I searched the entire house. When I was at the doorway, again, I stopped dead. There was a message addressed to me taped onto the door. Pulling it off and reading it quickly, I swore. Then I marched out, dropping the letter which said:
"Dearest Calico the Assassin, Be sure Steven reads the following and follows the instructions carefully, or you're never getting your money.or any money, for that matter.
Steven, Hi. I'm David. Do you remember me this time, or must I tell you who I am again? You know what? I've decided not to kill Nicole. In fact, I'm taking her with me. We're moving to Bermuda. Of course, that means I'll have to change my I. D. again, but I really don't give a damn at this point. Nicole suggested the name James Marques. Marques.how do you think that'll look on the marriage license? Ah well, we might come up with something better for it. By the way-do you mind if I use the ring you gave her? A criminal like me can't exactly go into a jewelry store and buy a diamond ring.I wonder why. huh. Anyway, if you want your wife killed, you're gonna have to offer me a hell- of-a lot more than you have. You know, I've always wanted a cabin up north. But cash is good too. And I don't mean counter fit crap like what you gave me this morning-I'm not stupid, I can tell what's real and what's not-I mean real money.about thirty or forty grand'll do. I want twenty million in twenties and ten million in tens at least, if that's inconvenient for you, just sent me the money in bills-nothing larger than a fifty. Here are your instructions: Box up my money and mail it to the postal office in Bermuda for 'Richard Lamar' to pick up.
Wait for my answer and your wife's well.I can't really give you a proof of life, can I, since you want her dead? Ah well, I'll send you a something.a.proof of death.
Keep Calico away from Bermuda no matter what. We'll be watching for her, believe me. If she turns up we'll see her. You're probably wondering why the hell you should listen to me. Well I'll give you a damned good reason. I've got a recording of you from this morning when we met. It says, and I quote, 'If you mess up like that again, I'm gonna kill you!' 'Really? Personally or.' Don't believe me? Hear for yourself. Rest assured, I have a copy, and am not afraid of turning it in.
A tape was enclosed with the message.
* * *
"I like that." Alex mused, after reading the letter. "It shows that he's either incredibly smart or incredibly stupid, but, no matter what, that he's strong." "And this is a good thing?" I asked, in a slight state of confusion. "No. If it's the second one, then it means he can be manipulated. If it's the first thing, then that means I'm not asking a totally mindless man to kill my wife. He's got some sense." He re-read the letter swiftly. "And spirit." Another pause came. "And a very promising and useful background of lying." He almost laughed. I stepped forward to read over his shoulder. "What do you mean?" "He speaks of marrying Nicole. He wouldn't do that. She's too valuable to him dead." "He might not have been joking." He looked up at the words. "Why do you say that?" I cocked my head in a taunting manner, but answered none-the-less. "She spent the night at his place." "WHAT?" I said nothing, just stood reading and re-reading the letter over and over. He demanded. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" "I didn't think it had any significance at the time." "Why's that?" "The lady-Anya-was there too." "All night?" I confirmed. "All night."
