The Two Faces of January by Patricia Highsmith Read Free Book Online Page B

tonight, but imagine being stopped on the Yugoslav border, for instance, and asked to show our passports, and being told the police want to see us.” She gestured with her left hand as she spoke, and Rydal noticed her diamond, a good big one in an engagement ring, whose value seemed guaranteed by the platinum wedding ring behind it.
    Was Chester MacFarland hesitating over the money, Rydal wondered? Five thousand for an American passport was ridiculously cheap, even though Niko’s friend’s work on it would probably be pretty sloppy, too. Rydal glanced at his watch.
    â€œIn a hurry?” asked Chester.
    â€œNo. Well, yes, I have an appointment at ten-thirty. My friend will wait, but I didn’t want to make him wait too long. It’s Niko, the one who can arrange to get the passports.” Rydal was sitting on the edge of his seat now. He passed his hand over his forehead. He was beginning to feel angry. He could have made a speech to the effect he wasn’t going to get a cent out of the deal, and that he wanted Chester to know that, but something kept him from it. “The purpose of my meeting Niko tonight is to give him the photographs out of your present passports so he can pass them on to his friend. The photos and a first installment on the price, which I think ought to be five thousand. But that’s entirely up to you.” Rydal stood up and crossed the room to an ashtray, an ugly, standing ashtray beside Colette’s armchair.
    â€œChester, darling—don’t you see his point?” Colette looked up at Rydal. “I do.”
    Rydal turned quickly away from her. He looked at Chester, impatient and frowning now, then looked at the door and thought that in five more seconds he’d walk through it and never see them again, speak to Niko and tell him it was all off, and pay out of his own pocket for Niko’s long-distance calls to Nauplion, where his friend Frank was.
    â€œYes. I guess I do,” Chester said. “We need passports and that’s that.” He was like a man cornered into a bad bargain, cornered and resigned.
    â€œYou may have a better source for them. If so, don’t take mine. Not that it’s mine, I just know the people,” Rydal said.
    â€œI have no better source,” Chester said.
    â€œDarling, I think he’s doing us a big favor!” Colette said, standing up. “And I don’t mind saying thank you.” She looked at Rydal, her hands close under her chin now, holding the scarf. “Thank you.”
    Rydal smiled despite himself. “You’re welcome.”
    â€œWhat do you want, extra little photographs?” Colette asked, going to her pocketbook on the bureau.
    â€œNo, the ones from your passports now. The perforations have to be matched,” Rydal said. “It’s easier.”
    â€œOh, of course. How stupid of me. I saw a movie where they did that. I hate this photograph, but I guess I’m stuck with it. This trip around, anyway.” She handed Rydal her passport. “You can probably get it out better than I can.”
    â€œYes.” They were tightly glued in, Rydal knew. Chester was reaching for his, in his inside jacket pocket.
    â€œGood thing I asked the clerk to let me have these things back when we came in from dinner,” Chester said as if to himself. “I told him we were checking out early tomorrow morning.”
    â€œYes, that’s another thing,” Rydal said. “The plane to Crete leaves at ten forty-five. I think that’s the best thing for you to take. Unless you’ve any better ideas.” Rydal took the passport Chester was holding out.
    â€œNo, no, Crete sounds fine,” Chester said, spreading his hands palms down, pacifically. He looked very worried.
    Rydal’s mouth twitched a little in contempt. Glancing at Colette, he saw that she had seen it. She wasn’t stupid, Rydal thought. “And the money. Have you five thousand in