Blue Madonna by James R. Benn Read Free Book Online Page B

deal.”
    Hammer moved closer, sitting at Frankie’s feet. “You give us the names of your London contacts,” Hammer said. “Whoever you wholesale stuff to. We give you twenty-five pounds. Then another hundred when it pans out.”
    â€œAnd if it doesn’t?” I asked.
    â€œThen we’re out a C-note,” Hammer said, converting the currency to dollars with shrug. “But if there’s trouble, like cop trouble, then we pay somebody on the inside to put a shiv in your ribs. Sound fair?”
    â€œThat’s reasonable insurance,” I said. “You got that much of an organization? Or are you two it?”
    â€œOrganization we got,” Frankie said. “Plenty.”
    â€œHow do I get my money?”
    â€œYou get the down payment right now,” Hammer said. He reached into his pocket and thumbed White Fivers off a thick roll. “Twenty-five English pounds. The other one hundred when you get out, assuming you ain’t dead.”
    â€œTell me why I should trust you,” I said.
    â€œListen,” Hammer said. “We got two ways of doin’ business. One is with kid gloves. The other is with brass knuckles. Our boss doesn’t flinch at the brass-knuckle approach, believe me. But he prefers the kid gloves. Money, information, you scratchin’ my back while I scratch yours. Everybody comes up a winner, he says.”
    â€œYou can’t make money off a corpse, he says,” Frankie threw in. “I like that one.”
    â€œI’ll take the down payment.” I gave them Archie’s name and where to find him. Deep underground in a Shoreditch air-raid shelter. Archie continued to sleep down there in case the Luftwaffe started up the Blitz again. And because it was easy to see who was coming. “Tell him Peaches sent you. That’ll clinch it.”
    â€œGood,” Hammer said, handing over the bills. We shook hands.
    â€œNow I have a deal for you ,” I said. “I wasn’t just flapping my gums about getting out of this. Tomorrow they’re going to ask for volunteers. Volunteers for a dangerous combat assignment.”
    â€œYou’re going get yourself killed, Boyle,” Frankie said. “Take the three months and the bankroll.”
    â€œI’m not getting killed. I accept, and after I get out of here, I disappear. This pin money is nice, but I’ve got more stashed away. I’m going to need identity papers and a safe place to lay low for a few days. How about you keep the hundred pounds in exchange? You’ve got to have the pull to make that happen.”
    â€œMaybe,” Hammer said, quickly glancing at Frankie, who shrugged. “And then we can keep an eye on you, make sure this limey Chapman checks out.”
    â€œWe could do some business,” I said. “I know plenty of guys. All that stuff I sold, remember? Maybe your organization has an opening.”
    â€œOne thing at a time,” Hammer said. “A place to hide out is not a problem. Papers are easy. We got ration books, clothing coupons, anything you need. We can get you discharge papers, medical forms, Brit identity cards, driver’s license, you name it.”
    â€œI like the way you fellows work,” I said. “You think big.”
    â€œYou got to, you wanna make a few bucks these days,” Hammer said. “Uncle Sam thinks big. Why shouldn’t we?”

Chapter Six
    It took awhile, but Hammer worked it out. He got a guard to pass a message to the clerk, which resulted in Hammer being hauled away not long before lights out. A lot of rough stuff, shoving, and the waving of billy clubs. A good show for the boys.
    Around midnight he was returned, hardly the worse for wear. He smelled of whiskey and cigarettes. The fix was in. For the hundred pounds they’d keep, I’d get an address outside of Birmingham where I’d be expected. I was to ask for Willie Foster and do what I was told. Willie