Read 1966 - You Have Yourself a Deal for Free Online Page B

shrugged.
    “Well, it’s your business. Let’s find out first if you want to work for me again.”
    “Work for you?” Girland laughed. “No, I don’t, but something was said about ten thousand francs. I am willing to work for anyone for that kind of money.”
    “You seem to have only two things on your mind: women and money,” Dorey said. “I suppose you are built that way, but . . .”
    “I live the way I like to live and it’s no business of yours. What’s the job?”
    The two men regarded each other. Dorey felt a certain satisfaction as he met Girland’s steel hard eyes. After all, he told himself, this man had proved himself brilliantly astute, and also very tough. Dorey was sure he hadn’t made a mistake in picking him.
    Briefly he explained about Erica Olsen.
    “This woman could tell us a lot about Kung,” he concluded, “and we want to know about him. There has been a persistent rumour coming out of China that he has developed a new weapon. This may or may not be true, but we must know for certain. We also want to know what makes Kung tick. His mistress is the most likely person to know this.”
    Girland sank lower in his chair.
    “What makes you think she will talk?”
    “That will be up to you. From the reports I have on you, you seem to have a way with women. Why else do you imagine I am giving you this job?”
    Girland studied the glowing end of his cigarette, then grinned.
    “I can see the apes you employ couldn’t handle this one. You know, Dorey, you are smarter than I thought you were.”
    “Try not to be insolent,” Dorey snapped. “Then you will do this job?”
    “I didn’t say that. Don’t let’s rush it. Exactly what am I to do?”
    “Her loss of memory appears to be genuine. Her doctor thinks it will return by slow degrees. You are to live with her and to report to me everything she comes out with about Kung.”
    Girland sat up.
    “Live with her? What do you mean?”
    “You are to play the role of her husband,” Dorey said, resting his elbows on the desk. “At the moment she has no idea who she is, what her background is . . . she knows nothing. So you arrive as her husband. She has to accept you. You will have all the necessary proof if she needs convincing. I have your marriage certificate and her passport made out as Mrs. Erica Girland. You are a rich businessman on vacation in the South of France. This woman . . . your wife . . . disappeared while you were in Paris on business. You eventually find her in the American hospital. You naturally take her back to your villa in Eze. There you will help her recover her memory. Sooner or later she will come out with some information, and this is the information I want and I am paying for.”
    Girland leaned back and shook his head in wonderment.
    “You certainly get ideas!” he said and his admiration was genuine, “but let’s think about this. Suppose she gets her memory back suddenly and all in one piece? I’m going to look an awful dope pretending to be her husband, aren’t I?”
    “That isn’t likely, and if it does happen, you are being paid to look an awful dope,” Dorey said smoothly.
    Girland laughed.
    “What’s this about a villa in Eze?”
    “It belongs to me,” Dorey said, not without some smug satisfaction. “It is isolated, comfortable and safe. My servants will look after you both.”
    “Well! Well!” Girland looked amazed. “No wonder you risk ulcers. You’re doing yourself pretty well, aren’t you?”
    Dorey shrugged.
    “So I take it you will do the job?”
    “I’m not completely sold. From what I heard from Rossland, you have never given anything good away. How do I know this Swede isn’t fat and ugly? Even for ten thousand francs I wouldn’t want to be the husband of an unattractive woman.”
    “You waste time, Girland,” Dorey said and took a glossy photograph from his desk drawer. He flicked it across his desk, knowing it was his trump card. “Here is part of her anatomy, showing