Knock Knock Who's There? by James Hadley Chase Read Free Book Online

say after we had dinner at Luigi's we came back here and I didn't leave here until eight o'clock in the morning. Get it? I didn't move from here from ten tonight until eight tomorrow."
    Melanie looked down at her cold pancake.
    "Well, if it's so important, I guess I could say that," she said doubtfully.
    "That's fine." He wished he could convey to her how important it was. "So, okay, you'll do it?"
    "I don't like doing it, but I'll do it."
    He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to control his exasperation.
    "Baby, this is serious. The fuzz could yell at you. You know how the fuzz act. You must stick with this. Even if Massino bawls at you, you must stick with this . . . Do you understand?"
    "Must I do it, Johnny? I'd rather not."
    He fondled her hand, trying to instil confidence in her.
    "You'll be repaying a debt, baby. Don't you want to help me?"
    She stared at him for a long moment, her eyes showing her fear, then she put her other hand over his and gripped it hard.
    "Okay, Johnny . . . I'll do it."
    And he knew by the tone of her voice she would do it and he relaxed.
    He got to his feet and she came around the table to press herself against him. His hand slid up under her nightdress and cupped her heavy buttocks.
    "I've got to get moving, baby," he said. "See you tonight. Don't worry . . . it's nothing, baby . . . just a little lie."
    Leaving her, he ran down the stairs and to where he had parked his car. Ten minutes later, he was back in his apartment. He shaved and showered. As he stood under the cold water, he wondered if Melanie would have the guts to face Massino if things turned sour. Maybe she would. He touched his St. Christopher medal. The trick with this steal was not to let Massino nor the fuzz even suspect who had taken the money.
    He drove up to Massino's office, arriving there a few minutes to io.00. Toni Capello and Ernie Lassini were already there, propping up a wall in the office, smoking. Sammy came up the stairs as Johnny entered the office.
    "Hi!" Johnny paused. "The big day. You got your uniform fixed?"
    Sammy's face was already glistening with sweat. There was a grey tinge under the black of his skin. Johnny could see he was scared to death and he knew Sammy's panic would grow as the collection went on.
    "Mr. Andy's fixing it," Sammy said huskily and moved into the office.
    Toni and Ernie greeted them. The four men stood around for some minutes, then Andy came from his office with two collection bags. They were handcuffed together and there was a spare handcuff which Andy snapped on Sammy's wrist and which was attached to one of the bags.
    Toni said, "I wouldn't have your job for a thousand bucks." He was grinning, seeing Shimmy's fear. "Man! Could some guy take a swing at your wrist with an axe!"
    "Cut it out!" Johnny snapped, his voice dangerous. "No one's swinging no axes."
    There was a sudden silence as Massino came into the office.
    "All set?" Massino asked Andy.
    "They're on their way."
    "Well . . ." Massino grinned at Johnny. "So . . ." Johnny waited, his face expressionless.
    "Last round-up, huh?" Massino said. "You're going to do fine with the bandits, Johnny." He looked at Sammy. "You're going to do fine as my chauffeur. Okay, get moving. The Big Take!" He went to his desk and sat down.
    As Toni and Ernie, followed by Sammy, moved to the door,
    Massino said, "Johnny?"
    Johnny paused.
    "You got that goddamn medal on?" Massino was grinning.
    "I'm never without it, Mr. Joe."
    Massino nodded.
    "Watch it! You could need it on this trip."
    "We three will be watching it, Mr. Joe," Johnny said quietly.
    The four men left the office and walked down the stairs to Johnny's car.

    Five hours later, it was over. There had been no trouble. The police looked the other way when Johnny double parked, slowing the flow of traffic. Money rolled into the bags. Sammy, expecting to hear any second the bang of a gun and to feel a bullet smash into his body was almost gibbering by the time Johnny pulled up