'It'll surprise me if he doesn't.'
'We don't want any death-bed confessions.'
'He was too far gone to talk when we left him.'
O'Brien lit his cigar, blew smoke to the ceiling while he eyed Tux thoughtfully. This was the beginning, he thought. Rough stuff again after four years. Well, it couldn't be helped. He had to keep control of, the situation, and if guys were a nuisance they must expect trouble.
'I've decided to get rid of Johnny,' he said, lowering his voice.
Tux was surprised, but he didn't show it.
'Anything you say, boss.'
'I want him planted where he won't be found,' O'Brien went on. 'He must never be found.'
'I can fix that,' Tux said. 'I have a barrel on board that'll fix him, I've plenty of cement, too. He won't be found.'
O'Brien nodded.
'You mustn't slip up on this, Tux. I'll go along and talk to him now. I'll let you know when to do it.'
'Tonight?' Tux asked, thinking longingly of his much-needed sleep.
'It'll be tonight. Better get that barrel and the cement ready.'
'I'll tell Solly.'
'Do it yourself,' O'Brien said sharply. 'Solly is to keep out of this. I'll take him back with me. I don't want him to know anything about it. Only you
and I are to know about it, Tux.'
Tux grimaced.
'That barrel's going to be goddamn heavy. I can't handle it alone. I'll have to have Solly.'
O'Brien took his cigar from between his lips, stared at the glowing end, then said, 'Please yourself, but if you have Solly, you'll have to take care of him. He'll have to go the same way.'
Tux was fond of Solly. Besides, Solly was as strong as a bull and as quick as a rattlesnake.
'He'll keep his trap shut. You don't have to worry about him,' he said.
O'Brien looked at him.
'If you don't want to handle it my way, Tux, just say so.' The threat in his voice was unmistakable.
Tux eyed him, then shrugged.
'Okay, I'll manage on my own.'
'You'd better make a job of it.'
'I'll make a job of it.'
O'Brien got up, opened the cabin door and went into the passage. He walked to Johnny's cabin, turned the key that was in the lock, pushed open the door and entered.
Johnny was dozing. He opened his eyes, blinked, then sat up.
'Hello, Johnny,' O'Brien said quietly.
He looked at Johnny's bruised face with satisfaction. It was about time someone pushed this punk around, he thought as he closed the door and leaned against it.
Johnny eyed him warily.
'What do you want?'
'I've decided to make you a proposition,' O'Brien said.
'Yeah?' Johnny swung his legs off the bunk. 'Well, okay, but it's going to cost you plenty.'
O'Brien shook his head.
'It's time we had a straight talk, Johnny. You are in no position to dictate terms. You either accept my conditions or you'll stay here until you change your mind.'
'What are the conditions?' Johnny asked, touching his bruised face with his finger-tips.
'You'll leave here tonight, go to the airport and fly to New York. One of my agents will meet you at the airport and put you on a plane for Paris. Another of my agents will meet you in Paris and take you to an apartment there. You will remain in Paris until I give you permission to leave.'
'And that will be after you've married Gilda, I suppose?' Johnny said with a sneer. 'Do you imagine she'll marry you unless I'm there to give her away?'
'You will write and tell her you are leaving for Paris tonight, and you won't be back,' O'Brien said quietly. 'She knows you're in trouble, and she won't be surprised you are clearing out.'
'Why are you so anxious to get rid of me?'
'Need you ask?' O'Brien returned. 'You are a damned nuisance. I know what I'm in for taking you on as a brother-in-law. I can do without your company.'
