Vulture is a Patient Bird by James Hadley Chase Read Free Book Online

put my mother away for ten years."

    "I am not interested in your family history," Shalik said curtly. "My second point is this. I want this ring. The operation won't be easy, but a man of your experience and ruthlessness should be able to handle it. However, if you fail, I see no reason why I shouldn't pass your dossier to Interpol . . . so you must understand that I will not tolerate failure."

    Fennel bared his teeth in a snarling grin.

    "I'll get the goddam ring for you, but if so much depends on me, how about some extra money?"

    "I will consider that when I have the ring. Now get out!"

    Fennel stared at him, but Shalik was reaching for the telephone. As he began to dial a number, Fennel got up and went into the inner room where Natalie Norman was typing. He didn't look at her, but went out into the corridor and to the lift.

    When he had gone, and when she was satisfied she could hear Shalik talking on the telephone, she turned off the hidden tape- recorder and removed the spool.

    Garry shut himself in a telephone booth and called Toni who answered immediately.

    "We're celebrating, chicken," he said. "I'm hungry. Meet me at the Rib Room, Carlton Towers in exactly one hour from this minute," and he hung up cutting off her squeal of excitement.

    He knew he had to give her at least an hour to get ready. Toni was a languid and slow dresser. By the time he reached the Rib Room he was pleasantly high, having drunk four vodka martinis in the bar of the Royal Towers Hotel.

    Ken Jones had left him, saying he had a date with a girl friend. They had paused in the crowded lobby of the hotel and Jones had asked, "What do you think of it all?"

    "It's a job and the money's nice," Garry returned. "You and I will get along. I feel that. It's Fennel . . ."

    Jones grinned.

    "What are you worrying about? You have Gorgeous and a chopper. I have Fennel."

    "Well, watch him."

    "You bet . . . so long, see you Monday. Happy bed bouncing," and Jones went off into the cold, wet night.

    Toni, looking ravishing, turned up at the Rib Room just when Garry was losing patience.

    "I'm damn well starving," he complained. "You're late!"

    "I know, sweetie, but I just can't help it." She flicked her long eyelashes at him. "Like me?"

    But now Garry had met Gaye Desmond, Toni White seemed suddenly a little young, trying a little too hard, and less exciting.

    "You're wonderful." The four martinis gave his voice conviction.

    They moved into the restaurant. As they sat down, Toni asked, "So you got the job?"

    "You don't imagine we would be here if I hadn't?"

    "Let's order and then you tell me, huh?"

    "Don't say huh . . . only American businessmen say that." Toni giggled.

    "God! I'm starving too! Let's order quickly."

    The maitre d'hôtel came over. Garry ordered a dozen 0ysters each with a half bottle of Chablis, followed by the Scotch beef with a baked potato in jacket and a bottle of Batailley 1961. The dessert, it was decided, should be a lemon sorbet.

    "Mmmmmm!" Toni purred. "This job must be marvellous. You do realize this is going to cost a f-o-r-t-u-n-e?"

    "So what? I'm worth a fortune." Under the cover of the table, Garry slid his hand up Toni's mini skirt, but she clamped her legs together.

    "Mr. Edwards! I'm surprised at you!" she said.

    Garry disengaged his hand.

    "I'm continually surprising myself, Miss White."

    The oysters arrived.

    "Well, tell me . . . what is the job?" Toni asked as she cut a fat oyster from its shell. "God! I adore oysters!"

    "Don't be greedy," Garry said, forking an oyster into his mouth. "It's never becoming for a young and sexy girl to sound greedy."

    "Shut up! Tell me about the job."

    "Well, it's a dilly. I go to Natal, and as your geography is as dodgy as mine, Natal is somewhere in South Africa. I lug an American photographer around in a helicopter so she can take photos of wild animals. It is a three week assignment and the money is very acceptable."

    Toni's oyster hovered before her mouth.