another car and not his own. He did know cars with C.D. plates were rarely stopped at the police posts, and he immediately thought of Sam Wade and his big Chrysler car. If he could borrow the Chrysler he stood a good chance of covering his tracks.
From what Wade had said, he wouldn’t be using the car tonight, but where was he? He knew he was holed up somewhere with the Chinese girl, but how could he find him?
He asked Nhan if she knew the girl and he described her.
“Yes, I know her,” Nhan said, puzzled. “She dances at L’Arc-en-Ciel. Her name is Ann Fai Wah. She makes a lot of money going with Americans. She isn’t a good girl.”
“Do you know where she lives?”
Nhan thought for a moment then she said the had an idea the girl had an apartment off Hong Thap Tu.
Jaffe got to his feet.
“Let’s go,” he said.
She stared blankly up at him.
“You want to see Ann Fai Wah?” she asked indignantly. “Why? I will not go with you to that woman.”
“Come on, come on,” Jaffe said impatiently. “I’ll explain on the way.”
As he drove to the centre of the town, he explained about Wade’s car.
“You’ll have to drive it back, Nhan. Do you think you can manage?”
He had taught her to drive the Dauphine and she handled the small car very well, but he had no idea if she could cope with the big Chrysler.
She said firmly and with confidence that she would be able to drive the Chrysler.
They found the big car parked outside a block of luxury flats down a quiet, tree-lined road.
Jaffe told Nhan to wait in the Dauphine and he went over to the Chrysler. As he expected the doors were firmly locked and the windows up. He would have to get the keys from Wade and get his permission to use the car. He hoped Wade wasn’t already in the sack with the Chinese girl.
He entered the block and learned from the indicator board the girl’s apartment was on the fourth floor. He went up in the lift and as he paused outside her front door he glanced at his watch. The time was ten minutes past eleven.
He listened and thought he could hear faint dance music. He thumbed the bell and waited. There was a long pause, then he rang the bell again.
The front door opened on a chain and the Chinese girl looked inquiringly at him. He saw with relief that she was fully dressed. He smiled at her.
“Sorry to intrude, but I want to speak to Sam,” he said. “It’s urgent.”
He heard Wade, somewhere out of sight, say, “What the hell? Here, get out of the way, baby.”
The door pushed to, the chain was released and Wade appeared in the doorway, scowling.
The girl, with an elaborate shrug of her shoulders, went into the inner room and closed the door.
Wade looked a little drunk. He glared blearily at Jaffe.
“What the hell do you want?” he demanded. “How did you know I was here?”
“You told me - remember?” Jaffe said. “Sorry to bust in like this but I’m in a fix. Look, my damn car’s broken down. I’ve got a girl waiting and I’ve got to cart her out to the airport. Can I borrow your car? I’ll put it right back in a couple of hours.”
“Why the hell don’t you take a taxi?”
Jaffe gave him a sly grin.
“You don’t and can’t do what I intend to do to this girl in a taxi, brother. Come on, be a sport or she’ll change her mind. I’d do the same for you.”
Wade suddenly relaxed and matching Jaffe’s grin, he fished out his car keys.
“You old sonofabitch,” he said. “Who is she? Anyone I know?”
“I don’t think so, but if she’s any good, I’ll introduce you. That’s the least I can do.”
You do that and take care of my car. I want it back here by seven tomorrow morning.”
“Thanks, Sam, you’re a real pal.” Jaffe took the keys. “Okay in there?” He nodded towards the closed door of the inner room.
“Looks all set,” Wade said, lowering his voice. “We’ve got to the dancing stage. Another hour should see me approaching the home base.”
“Good luck and thanks again,” Jaffe said and moved to the lift.
“Same to you,” Wade said, “and don’t forget that introduction.”
He watched Jaffe descend out of sight in the lift, then he stepped back into the apartment and closed the door.
Chapter Four
1
As Jaffe walked over to the Dauphine, Nhan looked anxiously at him through the open car window.
“It’s okay,” he said. “I’ve got the keys. Come on. We’ll leave my car right here.”
She got out of the Dauphine and stood by his side while he wound up the windows and locked the door.
“You’ll have to bring the Chrysler back here,” he said, putting his hand on her arm and hurrying her across the road to Wade’s car. “Do you think you’ll be able to find your way back here on your own?”
“Yes.”
“Good girl. It’s a dead easy car to drive.”
He opened the door of the Chrysler and she slid across the bench seat to the far side and he got in under the steering wheel. He put the key in the ignition and explained to her how to start the car.
“There’s nothing to it. The gears are automatic. You just shift this lever to drive, take off the brake and give her gas.”
He moved the car from the kerb and started slowly down the road.
“I’m going to drive past my place,” he told her. “Keep a look out on your side. If that girl’s gone, I want to get some clothes. I don’t know how long it’ll be before I can get away. I must have a change.”
She didn’t say anything. She sat as if she were stunned. He looked sharply at her. Her face was a blank mask of misery.
“Did you hear what I said?” he said sharply. “I’m relying on you, Nhan. If I’m going to get out of this mess, neither of us can make mistakes.”
“I understand,” she whispered.
It took a few minutes to reach the street where he lived. As he turned into the dimly-lit, tree-lined street, he said, “Watch out! You look right. I’ll look left. She’s wearing white.”
As he passed his small villa, he saw the place was in darkness. He could see no sign of anyone.
“Okay?” he asked, slowing down.
“I saw no one.”
He swung the car into a side street and pulled up.
“Wait here,” he said. “I’ll walk back and have another look. If it’s still okay, I’ll go in and pack a bag. I won’t be longer than ten minutes. Just wait here.”
He set off back to the corner where he paused to look down the long deserted street. Then walking quickly, aware that his heart was beginning to thump, he advanced towards his villa.
He thought: this may be a stupid move. I could be walking into a trap. For all I know, that girl has called the police and they’ve found Haum and are waiting for me. But I’ve got to have a change of clothes and my shaving kit. I just don’t know how long I’ll be holed up in Thudaumot.
As he approached his villa, he looked searchingly for the girl or Dong Ham, but the street was empty. He
