The 16mm Caper

Chapter 43

The break came less than two weeks later when Hattie Vermont said no to a meeting but absolutely yes to a deal. Pictures, along with copies of the documentation, were sent via the post for security reasons and only cryptic messages travelled over the net.

When Hattie's client agreed to Austin's price, a cool million point four, arrangements were made to have the material delivered by private express to Bermuda with a simultaneous bank transfer of funds to Austin's account. On the day of delivery Julia automatically called Dylan to do the task.

He picked up the package, hurried to Harv's office where all the materials were ready to be used, and the two of them duplicated the shipping container, packed the counterfeit copy, then quickly reproduced all the labels on Harv's computer.

Dylan then raced to the express company, signed all the documentation, took his receipt and returned to Austin's delivering the papers and the receipt for a handsome tip from a grateful Julia. Peter read the message on the screen and smiled. It had actually worked!

Harv once again had the original film and poster locked in his safe and Cheryl was keeping a close watch on Austin's computer. If nothing happened, the group would take their time and seek out their own buyer once again, knowing that it was worth considerably more than they received from Ralston Hughes.

******

The car shimmered in the heat as is wound its way up the narrow Cliffside road to the villa. Julia raised her glasses and watched from under the brim of her straw sun hat as it slowed and made the final sharp turn into the villa driveway. She looked across to Austin who was pressing his earpiece with a finger, listening intently to his portable radio. He turned when she patted his arm with her magazine and pointed to the car below.

"Who is it?"

"I have no idea. It just pulled in. No one has got out yet."

He stood and walked to the railing leaning over and looking down to the drive, but the sun on the windshield made it opaque and he could see nothing. A feeling of uneasiness overcame him and he took out his earpiece, winding the cord about the radio and setting it on the end of his lounge.

"I'd better go down and see what it's about."

Julia sat up and pulled her pool top around her shoulders. "Should I come?"

"I don't think so, maybe just keep an eye from here." He slipped on his sandals and went inside.

Julia opened her large pool bag and took out the silenced automatic then went to the railing and leaned over to see the car.

Austin peered through the glass beside the door but still couldn't make out any occupant in the car. Finally he opened the door and stepped out onto the front stoop. The car door opened and a tall, thin man in a wrinkled summer suit eased himself out, studying Austin before closing the door and walking toward him.

"Can I help you?" Austin asked. The man walked right up to Austin and handed him a card. "What's this?" He took the card and read the handwritten message, feeling his stomach slip and his knees weaken. "I don't understand, why is Hattie saying this?"

The man slipped his hands in his pockets and shrugged. "He said to tell you that you have one phone call to explain and if he is not satisfied . . ." One hand came out holding a gun, pointed at Austin.

Julia leaned further over the rail and just enough to see the hand with the gun emerge from the man's pocket. She couldn't hear anything but there didn't seem to be an instant threat; they seemed to be waiting for something. Running barefoot across the balcony and through the bedroom to the upper hall, she could see Austin's back in the doorway.

She crept down the stairway, keeping close to the wall and out of sight. The words drifted up to her and she felt her pulse quicken; something had gone wrong with the deal.

"Of course I'll call him. There's been some mistake. You don't need that either, this is not something that can't be resolved easily I'm sure. I'll call right now." He turned and crossed the hall and Julia slipped into the corner of the stairs as the man followed.

When they entered the living room Julia hurried down the stairs and stationed herself just outside the door. She could hear them but she could only see Austin by the telephone.

"Is the number the one at his home?"

"Yes."

Austin dialled the number and waited patiently. Julia moved her head around the edge of the jamb and saw the arm of the man as he watched Austin. He stepped a little closer as Austin greeted Hattie on the line and Julia had a full view of his back.

"Hattie, what the devil's going on? I've got your man here threatening me with a gun. What happened?" He listened for a moment and began shaking his head. "Absolutely not. Impossible. We have the paperwork from the express company and we also have photos of the package after it was sealed."

He listened again. "Hattie, I'm telling you we sent the original material in that express delivery. It was the custom place, so there was no chance of it going astray first. Listen to me a minute, I'll send you the pictures of the packaging and copies of the receipts. You can check with the company yourself. I did not cheat you, Hattie."

He flapped an arm and wiped his forehead. "Your client is wrong. I sent you all the documentation. Who told him it was a fake?" Austin sat back on the arm of a chair and listened, one hand describing silent objections in the air as he waited for a chance to respond again.

"Hattie why do you or your client assume that your evaluation is more credible than mine? Two reputable firms experienced in film and film restoration documented all this. You have the papers, Hattie, I just don't get it." Austin listened again, shoulders slumping. "I'll put him on. He wants to talk to you." Austin handed the phone to the man and moved away.

Julia moved to the other side of the door where she could see all the man as he listened on the phone. Austin looked defeated and she gathered from the conversation that his contact's client was refuting the authenticity of the film they sold him.

The man muttered something and hung up, turning to Austin. "He wants you to send all the pictures, and documentation again right away. And I'm to stay with you until he calls back."

"This is not possible. The material is back home in my safety deposit box. There's nothing I can do from here."

"You should have told him."

"What are you talking about, I didn't expect him to want it this instant?"

"Call him back. I'll give you that opportunity."

Austin stared at the man, realizing what his statement inferred and placed the call again. When he finished, the man spoke again and hung up the phone with exaggerated care.

"Mr. Vermont has expressed a reluctance to postpone his actions any longer."

Austin licked his lips. "What does that mean?"

The gun appeared again, aimed directly at him. Austin flinched at the noise and the suddenly shocking sight of the man's face exploding to one side. The gun flew out of his hand and he turned for a moment, to see Julia aiming at him from the doorway, and toppled onto the hard tile floor.

"Dear God!" Austin's eyes were riveted to Julia as she calmly moved to the man, checked his pulse and stood up with a satisfied sigh. "You've got a gun!"

"Spoiled a lovely day, didn't it?"

"Julia!" He couldn't form any suitable words and his mouth moved silently.

"He was going to kill you Austin. Should I have let him?" He waggled his head, still dumbfounded. "I think we need to gather all our belongings and find a place to begin anew." She picked up the man's gun and placed it in his hand. "If we're still here when he's found we could be in big trouble, Austin. Call the airline and get us a quick flight out of here."

"But- but what about- we can't just leave, they know us!"

"They may know us but they won't have us and when I'm through they may never have us. Now move, Austin."