The 16mm Caper

Chapter 23

Morning finally arrived and Peter was sweating bullets. He'd lain awake most of the night trying to figure how he could extricate he and Mary from their predicament. The bank sounded good in a moment of panic last night, but today he had to actually go there, and he had absolutely no idea as to what might happen.

His only hope was that Dylan and Harv could come up with some kind of plan for a rescue. The bedroom door opened and a sullen looking Mary led Vera into the room.

"Good morning, Peter. Are we all ready to go to the bank?"

"It's only seven-thirty, could we at least have something to eat?"

"Sure, let's go to the local coffee shop; Mary can stay here until you get back and then I'll go with her."

"That sounds okay, eh Mare?" He hoped she would realize that she could take off as soon as they were gone.

"Sure it does." Vera pulled out a pair of handcuffs from her jacket and waved them at Mary. "Over by the radiator, Mary."

"Hey, wait a minute! You can't leave her here like that, it isn't safe." Peter saw the grin on Vera's face and he slouched into a deep sigh. "Fine, we don't eat out. Can I at least see if there's something in the fridge?"

"Make some coffee and toast, Peter." Mary said. "That'll be enough."

Vera nodded at Mary with approval. "That's the stuff, Mary. Get the man to do the domestic work for a change." Peter stomped off to the kitchen.

At nine-thirty Vera ushered the couple out of the apartment and down to the street. The question of her short phone call before they left was solved when they saw the limo pull up, and the two men inside watched them through the tinted windows as they approached.

"Good morning, boys, have a good night?" Vera slid into the back behind Peter and Mary.

"Austin wasn't pleased." Douglas grumped. Harry flayed him with a look and glanced nervously at Vera.

"And I'm sure he will be even less thrilled when he hears you gave his name." Vera's voice chilled the interior and Douglas avoided the mirror, his hands twisting the wheel with jumpy movements.

"Where to?" Harry asked, breaking the grim silence.

"Scotia Bank. Just a few blocks east." Peter said. He took Mary's hand and gave it a squeeze.

******

Julia answered the intercom and stuttered slightly in surprise as Austin's voice echoed through the speaker. She turned and looked at the mantle clock and saw that it was only nine forty-five in the morning.

"Julia? Are you there?"

"Austin? This is definitely a surprise."

"May I come in?"

"Oh, yes. Certainly."

She pushed the buzzer to open the door and then hurried back to her bedroom. The black lace gown over the white teddy just covered the main points and in a moment of carefree boldness she left them on, giving her hair a quick brush and her lips a light coat of new paint before hurrying back to the entry. The rap on the door was light and drawing in her breath, Julia unlatched the door and swung it open.

Austin stayed in the entry, his face blossoming with surprise at his hostess's garments. "Have I presumed rudely?"

"About?" She stepped back and beckoned him inside.

"Well time of day for one."

"It is earlier than I expected. When I said seven-ish I wasn't really referring to the morning." She closed and locked the door then swept past him leaving a wake of seductive perfume.