The 16mm Caper

Chapter 26

Austin lied his way out of Julia's bed, promising to call as soon as he heard news and raced back to his condominium. Harry and Douglas were waiting in the lobby and Austin felt his spirits crash at the sight of his 'professionals' slouching in the lobby chairs, nursing cuts and bruises.

"Just the facts, Harry. Skip the details." He listened on the way up in the elevator and sank a huge gulp of brandy the moment they entered the suite then settled into his chair.

"We knew one of the couples had to get their kids so--"

"I know about the children. I told you not to bother any children, didn't I?"

"We just wanted to follow the parents. And we did." Harry looked longingly at the drink tray but didn't move or ask.

"The whole bloody gang jumped us when we got there." Douglas crabbed, holding a gauze pad to his head.

"They surprised you?"

"Yeah! We--"

"It was no surprise," Harry admitted, trading glares with Douglas. "But it was just two guys so we- we took them on."

"And lost, apparently."

"The women jumped in, and it changed the odds considerably."

Austin agreed with a nod to Harry's silent plea for a drink, refilling his own and resting his head back on the chair. "How did things get so messed up?"

"Well first of all," Douglas began. "That daughter of yours--"

"I was talking to myself, thank you. And don't try laying all this off on Vera."

"She wasn't always a help, Austin," Harry contributed.

"When she gets here we'll sort this all out and decide what to do."

"We should have just grabbed the guy and made him sell, or better still just take it from him." Douglas dropped onto the sofa and grimaced as he patted his head.

"Hindsight is not a useful contribution, Douglas. We'll discuss the facts and then we'll decide. I intend to have that film whatever the cost."

Harry refilled his glass and joined Douglas on the sofa. "Mind if I watch some TV while we wait?" Austin waved his hand and sat back closing his eyes. Harry grabbed the remote before Douglas and switched on the TV. A dog food commercial was just ending and was replaced with a well groomed woman who stared confidently into the camera and used all the anchor tricks in her book so that viewers wouldn't think she was reading a prompter.

"Earlier today, commuters in the downtown were treated to what at first appeared like scenes from a location movie. Paramedics, on their way to Victoria Hospital Emergency with a young woman suffering from convulsions, found themselves overpowered by their suddenly recovered patient and their ambulance hijacked and crashed into a mail truck.

"Police report that the woman was in her early twenties, with short, dark hair and dressed all in black with calf high boots. She was last seen speeding uptown on foot. Anyone with information is invited to call--"

"Holy Shit! That's Vera!" Douglas exclaimed.

Harry hit the mute button as Austin rose slowly from his chair, eyes welded to the screen. "Austin, take it easy. I'm sure she's okay. They say she got away."

"Did I hear, convulsions?"

"Yeah, the dame--"

Harry pounded Douglas's thigh and made an angry face. "She must be okay, Austin if she got away. I bet she'll show up here any minute. Take it easy. Sit down and have another drink."

When the intercom buzzer sounded Austin was too shaken to get up and Harry pressed the entry code. A few minutes later Vera entered the apartment limping. The leg of her pants was torn and bloodstained and her pale face held a stricken look. Harry and Douglas both relocated to the far side of the room as Austin struggled to his feet and hurried to his daughter.

"Vera, good God what happened?" She looked at him with glassy eyes and then down at her leg. "Harry, help me get her to the bedroom!"

Reluctantly, Harry took one arm and between them they shuffled down the hall and into the bedroom.

"Get me some clean warm water and some cloths from the bathroom." Austin arranged Vera on the bed and then began pulling off her boots. When Harry returned, her pants were down and the ugly gash in her leg was visible... along with her skimpy underwear.

"There's a first aid kit in the other bathroom. Hurry." Harry dragged his eyes away and went for the kit.

When they were alone, Austin delivered his parental speech, chastising her for not keeping track of her medication and for allowing herself to be involved in such a public spectacle. Vera simply stared at the ceiling, awaiting the magic of the chemical mix she had neglected. Austin finished tending to her wound and then pulled the cover up over her, leaving her to sleep with a tender kiss on the forehead.

"How is she?"

"Resting. Her uh- her medication let her down." He dissembled.

"Medication?" Douglas.

"My daughter has a condition that requires constant attention to precisely controlled doses of medication; she's had it since childhood." He answered tiredly.

"So now what?" Harry.

"We carry on. Gloves off this time. This is your chance to do it your way, uninterrupted. I want that original film. You can forget the copies, the original is where the money lies." Austin stood staring out over the city.

"Okay, Austin. It will be taken care of and with as little noise as possible."

"Just don't bring any 'noise' back to me, Harry. If anything goes wrong you and Douglas are on your own."

"Thanks a lot," Douglas sneered, checking the pad from his head and frowning.

"You are both being well compensated for your services, and I might add, whether you succeed or not, so don't start any whining, Douglas."

"It's fine, Austin. It's fine. The money is great, no complaints. You've always been fair in these deals."

Harry grabbed Douglas by the arm and steered him out of the room. "You little prick. You signed on happily when you saw the bucks so don't start cryin' now when things get tough. Just do as I tell ya and we'll be done and gone. Mission accomplished." Douglas made a face. "Now bugger off and get that head rinsed and cleaned up. I wanna be outta here before Vera comes around."