Tricksters by Norman Maclean Read Free Book Online Page B

it, you’ll never get an employee as loyal as me.’
    Suki’s voice was heard from outside. ‘Morag?’
    â€˜Who’s that?’ Sam said.
    â€˜The Bitch! Suki!’ Morag hissed.
    â€˜Listen, I’ve got a proposition for you.’
    â€˜She’s always creeping about . . . guarding that furniture of hers that’s supposed to be so precious.’
    â€˜Does she ever leave the place?’
    â€˜Very rarely. She can turn up anywhere.’
    â€˜And Nigel . . . the husband?’
    Suki’s voice was heard again. ‘Where are you, Morag?’
    â€˜Coming!’ Morag called. Then she turned to Sam. ‘We don’t see very much of Nigel.’
    â€˜Why’s that?’
    â€˜Oh, he’s an artist. He’s involved with “creative work”, as she calls it.’
    Sam opened the briefcase and allowed Morag to look at the entire cache of money for fully five seconds. ‘I have a great interest in art too. I prefer pictures – pictures of the Queen.’
    â€˜Aren’t they gorgeous!’
    Suki shouted again, ‘Hurry up, Morag. Nigel will be starving.’
    Morag said under her breath, ‘Let him eat hay.’ She turned to Sam. ‘I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as this ever.’
    â€˜Do you think the artist would like to cast an eye on my picture collection?’
    â€˜How much money have you got there?’
    â€˜Three and a half grand.’
    â€˜Nigel’s never seen that amount of money in the one place before.’
    â€˜I’d like to meet up with Nigel.’
    â€˜He’ll be in the studio all day.’
    â€˜Can I pay him a little visit?’
    â€˜You won’t get in. She locks him in first thing every morning.’
    â€˜She locks him in?’
    â€˜I can get the key.’
    â€˜When?’
    â€˜After two o’clock.’
    Sam stared at Morag intently . . . very intently. He smiled. ‘I’ve never been in a situation like this before, but my interest has been piqued by what you’ve told me . . .’ He turned and walked quickly over to the bedside table. He punched random numbers into his useless mobile. ‘Excuse me. This phone call I’m aboutto make, it’s the call that’s going to change your life.’
    â€˜Ooooh!’
    Sam pretended to make a phone call. ‘Hi, Amanda? . . . Sam Kerr here . . . I crave a favour . . . This very minute, arrange a short vacation for a lady I’ve just met here . . . Yeah, send her the tickets right away . . . Write this down: THE LITTLE UGLY OLD WOMAN . . . HOUSEKEEPER . . . TARTAN PAGODA HOTEL . . . UIG . . . ISLE OF SKYE . . .
Ciao!’
    Sam smiled broadly. ‘Congratulations, darling! You’ve won the prize! A weekend in Stornoway . . .’
    â€˜Stornoway? Ooooh!’
    Sam continued, ‘. . . accompanied by the Free Church minister . . . of your own choice!’
    â€˜Oh, thank you, Mr Kerr!’
    â€˜You can take these camera cases downstairs when you’ve finished in here. I must have a bite of lunch.’
    â€˜Whatever you say, Mr Kerr.’ Morag remained motionless, staring enquiringly at Sam.
    â€˜Is there anything bothering you?’ Sam said.
    â€˜Will I see you again?’
    â€˜No. I’m filming in Ha— in South Uist all this week and then I’m off to . . . er, Africa . . . uh, South Africa.’
    â€˜Er . . .’
    â€˜What’s wrong? Have you told me everything?’
    â€˜Oh, yes! I was just wondering, who’s going to pay me?’
    â€˜Pay you? Oh, yeah. Your retainer, you mean? Well, I’ll tell you what I’ll do . . . First of all . . . don’t you worry . . . what do you call it? . . . I’ll phone our Contract Department in Edinburgh and they’ll write to you and tell you what duties you’ll have to perform in return for your monthly cheque.’
    â€˜But the money . . . the money, man,’ Morag