TRUSTED LIKE THE FOX

chapter 7

In the morning, that followed, while I was making breakfast, and Perry was busy on the phone, I said to Delphina, "Get me the number of the safe. I've got to have it before I can handle it."

She looked sideways at me out of her bright eyes.

"I'll get it."

During the day when Perry was out of the way, she gave me a slip of paper.

The safe number told me that Perry had been sold an absolute model, it's the kind of type when the safe door was shut, and it looked itself automatically. This model had proved to be one of the easiest safes to break into.

It suited me, it wouldn't take me ten minutes to open, and time was an important factor in this setup.

Around six o'clock evening, perry came out of the house to my room, he didn't knock he just burst in on me like a runaway cyclone and said, "I've to go out of town tonight, there's a legion meeting on. Delphina will remain this time. I'll be glad if you'll keep an eye open just in case she runs into someone who doesn't know his manners."

Perry trusted me. He was leaving his wife here alone with me,  and he wanted me to look after her in case someone got fresh with her. So it didn't cross his mind that, being alone with her, I might get the same idea.

"Alright, no problem." I said. "You don't have to worry."

"I know that, John," he said. "Am going to get ready now,  and I don't reckon I'll get back much before two o'clock. These legion meetings get a little wild after the business end of it." He winked at me. "But don't tell Delphina that."

"You have a good time," I said. I couldn't make up a smile for him.

For the next twenty minutes,  I sat outside drinking and waiting. As soon as Perry had gone, I wanted to get at the safe. 

There was no sign of Delphina, but I could hear her talking to Gorman in the kitchen.

Around five minutes to seven, Perry came out of the room. He was wearing his best suit, and he had a cigar clenched between his teeth. He looked pretty good with that rich face that a millionaire usually carries around with him. I could see why women went for him. He was the dominant type and slightly overpowering at close quarters. His eyes were sharp, keen, and alert.
You could have the idea of getting up very early to trap him into anything, and then you'd probably fail.

He went into the kitchen to say goodbye to Delphina. I wished he could go so I could tackle the safe. The hanging around was tearing my nerves to shreds.

Finally, just after seven, he came out, and I joined him to his Bugatti.

"Well, have a good time," I said, looking at him.

"Take care of things here, John and Gorman his there to help out."

"Sure, you don't have to worry your head."

"Yeah." He got into the Bugatti.

The evening sun was just beginning to sink, and in another half hour, it would be dark.

"So long, John."

"So long, Perry."

I watched the Bugatti drive off out of the gate, I stood there until I had lost sight of it, then I walked towards the house.

Delphina was already there, waiting at the door. She looked pale, and her eyes were glittering.

"Where is it?" I asked as I joined her.

"In the room behind the sofa."

"You better keep Gorman out of the way," I said. "It'll take me a couple of hours to open."

I saw suspicion jump into her eyes.
"As long as that?"

"I told you these safes are tough. I haven't the combination. It'll take me at least two hours."

I went into the bedroom and looked at the safe. It was a combination job with no lock and key.

"I'll get some tools. You better keep Gorman company. We don't want him coming up here, now do we."

"You don't have to tell me, I already know." she said.

I went past her and across to the garage. I collected the tools and put them in a big bag. The bag would do to carry the money when I got it. I went into the bedroom, turned on the lights, pushed aside the sofa, and squatted down on my heels beside it.

With my ear pressed against the cold steel of the door, I began to move the dial very gently and slowly from left to right.

In a few seconds, I heard the first tumbler drop into place. You just had to know by experience, as a safe, this one was the biggest swindle of them all.

Six times, I went through the operation, then I reached out and pulled the door open. The money was there, neatly stacked in 100-dollars bill. I reached for the bag, then took hold of the first pack of bills. Then I heard a sound behind me.

"What in God's name are you doing, John?"

Perry's voice went through me like a sword thrust. For maybe two seconds, I remained crouched before the safe, my hands still on the stacks of bills, then slowly I looked over my shoulder.

Perry stood in the doorway, staring at me. His expression was shocked and furious. He moved his pouderous body into the room.

"John! What do you think you're doing?"

Slowly, I stood up.

"I'm sorry." I said. "It must look to you as if I were going to steal your money, but I wasn't. I know it looks like it, but you've got to believe me."

Then Delphina appeared in the doorway. She was white as snow, and she was shaking.

"What's going on here?" she cried, her voice shrill. "Did he open the safe? I knew it. He must have sneaked in here while I was in the kitchen with Gorman."

Perry didn't seem to hear her. He was still staring at me.

"What are you doing in here?" he asked.

There was real agony in his voice. "Have you got an explanation?"

"Yes. I've got an explanation."

I saw his face tighten as he sat down on the bed. "Yes, go on, am listening."

"She saw a photograph of me in an old paper that came in the groceries box. She recognized me. She said if I didn't open the safe so that she could steal your money, she would give me to the police."

"You liar!" Delphina screamed. "Perry, don't listen to him! He's lying! He's trying to save his rotten skin!"

Perry turned slowly and stared at her. "You keep out of this." To me, he said, "What else do you have to say?"

"I planned to take the money but I was going to send it back to you with a letter telling you the truth, that way you would believe me that I have changed and am the only one who cares for you and willing to have my shares back."

He stared at me for five seconds. I stared right back at him. Then he stared at Delphina.

"You say he's lying?"

"Of course he's lying!"

"Then look at me." But she couldn't take that probing stare. He slowly got to his feet. "Go to bed, Delphina. I'll talk about this tomorrow."

"What's going to happen to him?" she asked.

He took her arms in his great hands and gave her a hard light shake. "I said go to bed!" he said and pushed her out of the roo.

Then he turned and went over to sit and gave a little devilish smile.

I wondered what he was thinking, did he believe me or that treacherous Delphina?, is he going to call the police after me?. Blood ran cold through me as my heart kept thumpings violently against my ribs.