They both took showers, then got on the bed.
They had spent the rest of the afternoon in each other's arms. Around 19.30, they went down to the restaurant and enjoyed a good meal.
Johnny was pleased to see Freda was much more relaxed and even gay. They watched T.V. until midnight, then went to bed. Neither of them spoke of the Mafia nor of the money, consciously enjoying this comfort, and desperately clinging to what they both knew was an interval free of danger.
The following morning, Johnny called Sammy. Freda, sitting up in bed, listened. When he hung up, they looked at each other.
'We'll know this time tomorrow,' Johnny said. 'Do you think it'll be all right?'
'Your guess is as good as mine.' He got back on the bed. 'Baby, I
want my boat. Do you mind?'
'Of course not. I want it too.' She put her hand on his. 'I want it for you because I love you.'
Later, as he was dozing off, she said, 'They'll never find us, will they?'
What was the use, after warning her, in telling her they could never escape? .What was the use of telling her they were buying time? But he couldn't lie to her. In silence, he turned his hand to grip hers.
He felt her shiver and he knew she had got the message.
'Love me,' she said, pulling him on to her. 'Make me forget.'
The day drifted by. They went down to the restaurant for lunch. They returned to their room and watched a ball game on T.V. They went down to the restaurant for dinner, then returned to their room. They watched T.V. until after midnight.
Johnny didn't sleep much. He kept thinking of Massino. He was aware that Freda was having nightmares. Twice, she cried out, but by putting his hand on hers, he stilled her cries.
Soon after 07.30, he called Sammy.
'What's happening?'
'I got news,' Sammy said, his voice excited. 'Mr. Joe is sure you're in Havana. He said he's kissed you good-bye.'
Johnny's heart gave a little jump.
'How do you know that?'
'I had to drive Mr. Joe and Mr. Andy up town. Mr. Joe was in a terrible mood: cursing and swearing. He told Mr. Andy this Mr. Luigi had telephoned. This gentleman said you were now in Havana and there was nothing more he could do. He said the money was gone.' A pause, then Sammy asked, 'You're not in Havana, are you, Mr. Johnny?'
'Never mind where I am. Look, Sammy, check the bus station. I must know if the boys are still there. Will you do that?'
'Yeah, I'll do it.'
'I'll call you back. When can I get you?'
'It's my night off. I'll be right here at five.'
'I'll call you just after five.'
'And, Mr. Johnny, you still mean it about the six thousand bucks? I'm worrying about it: Cloe's giving me no peace.'
'You'll get it. I told you: it's a promise.'
When he had hung up, he told Freda what Sammy had said. They looked at each other.
'You know something, baby?' Johnny said, smiling at her. 'I think you've saved us. It was your brainwave to have told them I was heading for Havana. I'd never have thought of it. This could be our break. If the locker isn't guarded and I'll know this evening, then we can get the money.'
'Oh, God, Johnny! I prayed last night! I haven't prayed for years. So what do we do?'
'If we get the green light this evening, we hire a car and drive back to East City. We can do it in three hours. We'll arrive at the bus station around eleven o'clock. That's a good time. Not many people around and it will be dark. We get the money and we get out.
'I can't believe it!'
'It depends if the bus station is being watched. If it isn't, then we go.'
'And Johnny, if they think we're in Havana . . .' She paused to look at him. 'Then no one will come knocking on our door.'
'That's it, baby.' He pulled her close to him. 'No one will come knocking on our door.'
As Sammy came out of the elevator; heading for Massino's office, Andy appeared. He stared at Sammy's grey, sweating face.
'Where do you think you're going?'
