1978 - Consider Yourself Dead by James Hadley Chase Read Free Book Online Page A

creating suspicion, and this data he passed on to Mitch Goble who was Silk’s technical expert. Goble in his turn, would assess the data, then pass judgment. If he gave the green light, Silk would then, and only then, move into action.
    Umney had been relaxing in his air-conditioned room, above the kitchens of the restaurant, when Silk’s telephone call came through. He listened to what Silk had to say, then said, ‘Can do - will do,’ and he went in search of Frost. Finding him, Umney switched on his charm.
    ‘Hi, there, Mr. Frost!’
    As he offered his hand, Umney regarded Frost, thinking: ‘This cookie is no push over. Softly, softly. He will need handling.’
    Puzzled, and a little suspicious, Frost shook the extended hand.
    ‘I’m Ross Umney,’ Umney went on, exuding charm.
    ‘I’m the official host around here. My job is to keep everyone happy. Marcia told me to take care of you . . . this is my pleasure. You know something, Mr. Frost?’ He paused and beamed, then went on, ‘Or may I call you Mike?’
    Still suspicious, but relaxing to Umney’s charm, Frost nodded.
    ‘Fine . . . Mike. As I was saying, when Marcia gives one of her special friends the V.I.P. treatment, I give him the V.I.P. treatment or else . . .’ He laughed. ‘That’s my job. What can I do for you? You name it, you’ll get it. How about a swim in the pool? There’s a boutique here to fit you out. Do you want company? We have a load of hostesses. They are all willing, and you can take your pick. Would you dig our massage parlour? We have two Jap babes who really know their business. We have a movie here. You say the word, and I can fix it for a private show. Our movies are so hot we have to use an asbestos screen.’ He laughed. ‘Maybe you like fishing? We have a trout pool. Maybe you like golf? We have a driving range. We have a car shuttle service down to the sea. Maybe you’d like to take one of our babes for a fast ride in a speedboat? Water skiing? Skin diving? You name it, Mike, you get it.’
    While Frost was staring at this smiling, jovial man, unable to believe that he was being offered all these trappings of the rich, a short, fat man came up.
    ‘How about my boat, Ross?’ he demanded, a peevish frown on his face. ‘You said you’d fix it.’
    ‘Hi, there, Mr. Bernstein. It’s all fixed. Did you ask at the desk?’
    ‘Didn’t know I had to. Where the hell is the car?’
    Umney pointed.
    ‘The green Caddy, Mr. Bernstein. Joe’s waiting . . . no problem.’
    The fat man grunted and walked off.
    Umney sighed, smiling at Frost.
    ‘That’s Bernstein. He’s worth millions. You know, Mike, this is a hell of a job. None of these rich creeps is ever satisfied. Now . . . you . . . what can I fix for you?’
    None of the suggestions Umney had offered appealed to Frost. Some other time, he might give the massage parlour a twirl. He had heard of Jap girls, but Marcia had so drained him, any form of exercise was strictly out.
    ‘Nothing right now, Ross,’ he said. ‘Thanks all the same. I guess I’ll get moving . . . some other time, huh?’
    Umney looked alarmed.
    ‘Hey! You can’t walk out on us, Mike! Marcia would have my balls.’ He laughed. ‘Are you interested in shooting?’
    Frost regarded him.
    ‘That’s one thing I’m tops at . . . why?’
    ‘Excuse me for asking, but are you really good?’
    ‘That’s what I said. Why?’
    ‘We have a guy here who thinks he’s a male Annie Oakley,’ Umney said. ‘He drives me nuts. He’s offering a thousand bucks to anyone who can outshoot him with a .38 at twenty yards. I can’t find any takers. Do you think you could take a grand off him?’
    Frost hesitated. He had been the best shot with a handgun and a rifle while in the Army, but that had been some time ago. A thousand bucks?
    ‘Who’s this guy?’
    ‘A club member. He practically lives in the shooting range. I could fix up a match right now. If you’re as good as you say, it’d be an easy way of