This is For Real by James Hadley Chase Read Free Book Online

and knock Thomas’s gun arm down.
    There was a faint plop as the gun went off and Girland saw a sudden small hole in the carpet at his feet.
    If he hadn’t been afraid to die, he thought afterwards, he could have spun around, got his gun out and have killed those two, but fear had paralysed him and in those necessary split seconds before he could recover, he saw Schwartz was covering them both with a gun. There was that cold professional look in Schwartz’s eyes that warned him this man was far more dangerous than the bearded boy.
    Thomas felt Schwartz’s cold, damp hand clamp over his and wrench his gun away. He turned, panting, to stare at Schwartz who was looking at Girland.
    There was a long pause. Girland was careful not to move. Thomas backed away from Schwartz.
    “You’ll be sorry for this!” he exclaimed shrilly. “I’ll tell him! He said we were to get rid of Girland! You …”
    “There’s a phone over there,” Schwartz interrupted. “Call him. Tell him what’s happened.”
    “I don’t have to! He’s left this to me! I don’t have to tell him anything!” Thomas said, trying to keep his voice down. “It’ll be you who’ll suffer! You fool! Don’t you see we have made a mistake? If we kill him now, no one will know! Kill him!”
    Girland listened to all this with cold sweat running down his ribs.
    “You made the mistake,” Schwartz said. “Your first mistake. Go on, tell him, or it’ll be you who’ll get killed.”
    Thomas backed against the wall, his face livid.
    Girland watched in the mirror, aware that if he made the slightest move, this tall, dangerous looking man would shoot him.
    “Go on!” Schwartz repeated. “Tell him his white-headed boy has made his first mistake.”
    There was a further pause, then Thomas moved to the telephone that stood on a table close to Girland. As he reached for the receiver, Girland said, “That’s through the club switchboard. It’s your business, but the girl is certain to listen in.”
    He was aware that Schwartz was staring at him. Thomas turned slowly and also stared at him.
    “Do you have to act so tough?” Girland went on. “I’m ready to do a deal. Not with you two, but with your boss. This set-up could mean money to me. I need money. I can tell your boss how I got in here and I’ll keep you both in the clear. Let’s work together on this thing.”
    Thomas began to relax a little. He looked at Schwartz. Watching them, Girland saw he was nearly home, but not quite.
    “You guys are in the same racket as I am,” he said. “Okay, so let’s work together. I’ll go with you to where you can telephone. No fuss … no trouble. All I want you to do is to call your boss and tell him I want to make a deal with him. I have a date with this woman tomorrow, but she won’t meet anyone but me. Tell him that.”
    Still they remained motionless, staring at him.
    “My gun’s in a holster,” Girland said. “Take it.” That, at last, got some action. Thomas moved cautiously up to him. Girland sat as still as a stone man while Thomas found the gun and jerked it free from its holster. Then raising his hands and clasping them on top of his head, Girland slowly stood up. Thomas’s hands ran over him, making sure he had no other weapon, then he stood away.
    Thomas looked at Schwartz who nodded.
    “Let’s go then,” Schwartz said. To Girland he went on, “This gun is silenced. You start something and you’re dead.”
    “Don’t be so unfriendly,” Girland said, lowering his hands. “I tell you, I want to make a deal.”
    He walked to the door, opened it and stepped out into the corridor.
    The two men, Schwartz in front, Thomas behind, followed him closely. Girland could almost feel the barrel of the concealed gun grinding into his spine.
    Opening the end door, the blare of the dance band made him wince. He moved into the dimly lit, smoke laden cellar. The small stage was spot lit. There was a young redhead, naked, standing in a small bathtub