I didn’t say anything. After a long pause, she turned to look intently at me. ’
‘Someone has to deliver the money. I want you to do it. I’ll pay you well.’
I was afraid she was going to say that. Dealing with kidnappers could be a dangerous business. More often than not the stooge who hands over the ransom money gets himself knocked off.
‘Have you made any arrangements with them yet?’
She shook her head.
‘This is only the opening move. The money is to be in used twenty-dollar bills. It is to be made up into three parcels, wrapped in oilskin. I shall get last-minute instructions where the money is to be delivered.’ She turned to look at me. ‘You’re not frightened of the job, are you?’ ‘I’ll tell you that when I’ve heard what the arrangements are.’ Then you think it could be dangerous?’
‘It could be.’
She opened her handbag and took out a cigarette case. As she offered it, she said, her voice a little unsteady, ‘Do you think they’ll send him back?’
I took the cigarette, tapped it absently on my thumb-nail before saying, ‘The possibilities are that they will.’
I lit her cigarette, and for some moments we smoked in silence. ‘I want you to tell me the truth,’ she said suddenly. ‘Will they send him back?’