Benno came back, dragging Ginny with him. She was gagged, and her wrists were tied
behind her. There was a rip in her skirt, and she had pushed a knee through one stocking. She
looked as if she had had a bad time. She stared wildly at me, horror in her eyes.
“Ginny!” I cried, struggling upright. “What have they done to you?”
“We haven’t done much to her yet,” Ricca said, “but we will unless you are ready to talk.”
“Turn her loose and I’ll talk,” I said wildly. Just to see her in the hands of a rat like Benno
drove me frantic. “But she’s got to go free! She isn’t in this. She’s got to go free.”
Ricca pulled up a chair and lowered his bulk on to it.
“You had your chance when I made my first offer,” he said. “It’s out of my hands now.
Petelli’s claiming you. All I want is the money, then I turn you over to him.” He pulled at his
thick lower lip. “Unfortunately she’ll have to be turned over to him, too.”
“That won’t get you anywhere,” I said. “Either she goes free or the money stays where it is,
and it’s where you’ll never get your claws on it.”
“Don’t be too sure about that. I have an idea I can persuade you to talk.”
“You heard what I said! Let her free or you don’t get the money!” ‘
Ricca lifted his fat shoulders.
“It’s out of my hands. She knows too much. Benno’s going to knock you off. She’ll have to
go, too.”
I turned ice-cold. I had only to look at him to see he wasn’t bluffing.
“She’ll give you her word not to talk,” I said. “I don’t give a damn what happens to me, but
you’ve got to let her go!”
“I happen to hold all the cards in this deal,” Ricca said.
“Ask yourself which would be better for her: a bullet through the head or to be worked over
until you decide to talk. You’ll see Benno at work. Better save her from that. What do you
say – a quick bullet or Benno?”
189
Benno put his hand on the front of Ginny’s frock and ripped it down to her waist.
I was licked and I knew it. Ginny would be better off dead than tortured by Benno.
Without looking at her, I said, “Yes. Don’t let him touch her. I’ll talk.”
Ricca rubbed his hands.
“I thought somehow you would. Where’s the money?”
“The Miami Safe Deposit.”
I could see by the momentary blank expression in his eyes he hadn’t expected this.
“I see. Very sensible of you.”
Then suddenly I remembered the .22 I had left in the suitcase. I felt a hot surge of triumph
run through me. With that gun I could fix him and turn the tables on Benno.
“You will write them a letter …” he began, but stopped as I shook my head.
“Do you imagine I’m all that of a dope? I and no one else can get the money. I left
instructions I was the only one to enter the strong room.”
Ricca stared down at his feet. Then he glanced up and waved his hand at Benno.
“Take her away,” he said. “Why doesn’t Pepi come?”
“He doesn’t know we’re here,” Benno said. “How many more times do I have to tell you ?”
“Try to find him. We want him.”
“Forget him! He might be anywhere. Can’t you swing this yourself?”
“Take her away.”
Benno shoved Ginny out of the room. As he reached the door he put his knee in her back
and shot her forward. I heard her fall on the floor.
“If ever I get my hands on you …” I said, straining at the rope that held my wrists.
Ricca smiled.
“It’s your own fault. How can you expect an animal like Benno to treat a girl decently ?”
