Read Black money for Free Online

war."

    "A great many Americans were," he answered dryly. "Now if you will excuse me I have to dispose of these things."

    "Can I help?"

    "No. Thank you. Good day."

    He bowed curtly. I wandered away along the deck, trying to analyze my impression of him. His tar-black hair and smooth solid face and the un-blunted sharpness of his eyes placed his age at not more than thirty. He had the controlled force and reticence of an older man. I didn't know what to make of him.

    I found my way into the labyrinth of the downstairs dressing rooms. School was out by now and a gang of small boys were slapping towels at each other's legs and emitting shouts of menace and horrible laughter. I told them to shut up. They waited until I was out of sight, and laughed more horribly than they had before.

    Peter was tying his tie in front of a steam-fogged mirror. He caught a glimpse of me in it and turned with a smile, the first I'd seen on his face. He was shiny and red.

    "I didn't know you were here. I was running on the beach."

    "Good," I said. "I've just been talking to Martel. He's moving the stuff out of his cabana. He may be planning to skip."

    "With Ginny?"

    "I didn't think I'd better ask him that. Under ordinary circumstances I wouldn't have approached him at all. It's not a good way to operate. But we may be running short of time."

    I'd wiped out Peter's smile and started him biting his mouth. "I was hoping you could do something to stop him."

    "I haven't quit. The trouble is I don't know what questions to ask. I've never been to France, and I don't remember much of my high school French."

    "Neither do I. I took a freshman course from Professor Tappinger, but he flunked me."

    "Was this at the local college?"

    "Yes."

    He felt called upon to explain that he had been supposed to go to Princeton, and failed to make the grade. "But I did graduate from Montevista State last year."

    "And Ginny was supposed to graduate this year?"

    "Yes. She took a couple of years out. She was a receptionist at Dr Sylvester's clinic, but she got sick of that and went back to school last year."

    "Was your man Tappinger one of her professors?"

    "He taught most of her French courses."

    "Is Tappinger good at his subject?"

    "Ginny thought so, and she was one of his best student."

    "Then he should be willing to help us out."

    I told Peter to make an appointment with the professor, for this afternoon if possible, and said I would meet him in the parking lot. I didn't want Martel to see us leaving together.

    6

    "MR. JAMIESON just left," the woman at the front desk said. "I don't know how you missed him."

    She had a gently modulated voice, and she sounded real concerned. I took a closer look at her. She was a subdued young woman dressed in a brown tweed suit. Her dark hair framed an oval, piquant face. She was too heavily made up, but that was occupational.

    "I talked to Mr. Jamieson inside, but don't mention it to anyone."

    "Why should I mention it to anyone?" she said.

    "Somebody might ask you."

    "I never discuss the goings and comings of the members and their guests. Besides, I don't remember your name."

    "Archer, Lew Archer."

    "I'm Ella Strome."

    The nameplate on the desk in front of her said: Mrs. Strome, Club Secretary. She saw me looking at it and added in a neutral tone: "I'm not married at present."

    "Neither am I. What time do you get off for dinner?"

    "Tonight I don't. We're having a dinner-dance. But thank you."

    "Don't mention it."

    In the parking lot by the tennis courts, Peter was waiting for me in his Corvette. The place was surrounded by massed green clouds of eucalyptus trees, and their faintly medicinal scent flavored the air. Only one of the half-dozen courts was in use: a pro in a "Tennis Club" sweatshirt was showing a very small girl how to serve, while her mother watched from the sidelines.

    "Professor Tappinger isn't in his office and he isn't at home," Peter said. "His wife said he should be on his way