Vicky Banning (15 page)

Vicky smiled prettily.

Gene grew even more agitated, his eyebrow twitching spasmodically. “Lady,” he growled, “you better not be conning me. This is serious business.”

“Oh, I know,” Vicky said, looking hurt. “The officer also said that they suspected you of selling to minors, and that they were really gonna crack down on you if they found out that it’s true and can prove it.”

“God
damn
!” Gene bellowed. “I told those little
bast
…never mind that. What kinda stuff you
lookin
’ for and how much you want?”

Anger tightened within Vicky’s chest, but she forced herself to remain calm. She’d heard what she came to hear, and thought about Gene’s young customers, as much victims as the children in
Europe
during the war, suffering while fortunes were made. “What kinda stuff
ya
got available?” she asked, trying to sound casual.

“Everything,” he answered, his thoughts obviously not on business. “You name it, pot, pills, smack…anything.”

Vicky clenched her teeth. She wanted to strike out, to jettison her fist into the face of the sleaze bag before her. That someone could speak about selling death, especially to children, in such an off-hand manner infuriated her. She took a deep breath and stretched her lips into a semblance of a smile. “I think just pot would be the best, for now,” she said. “The other stuff would be too strong for my girls, and the boys might get hung up on anything stronger.”

“Boys?” Gene said, his attention returning to Vicky.

She shrugged delicately. “When some men get on in years, they get a little
kinky
…if you know what I mean. They begin to wonder if they’ve missed out on something through the years. They grow curious, wanting to experiment.”

“That’s
sick
,” Gene said with a grimace.

That’s
sick
?
thought Vicky.
Amazing
. No matter how much of a low-life a person is, they will always manage to find
someone
to sneer down at. Her dislike for this man had just crossed the borderline into hatred, and she found that it was growing near-impossible to disguise. “To each his own,” she said, with a toss of her head. “Now, what quality grass can you supply me with? The way I’d like to work it is for you to sell me various qualities so I can check them out before I sell it to my ‘hostesses.’”

“Sell
it?” Gene asked.

“Of course, sell it!” Vicky retorted angrily. “What do you think I’m running, a charity? I’m gonna make money on this deal too, sonny, so I want wholesale. I’ll be your outlet for fifteen customers, so you’d better give me a good price, or I’ll find someone else to deal with. Now, what can you offer me?”

“I got some great
Acapulco
Gold
,” Gene said. He was smiling now, more comfortable dealing with another mercenary than he had been with what appeared to be a fragile old lady. His breath was nearly knocking her off her chair with its waves of onions and whiskey. “I can let you have it for—”

“Don’t give me that
Acapulco Gold
garbage,” Vicky said quickly. “That’s been tried on me many times, and it’s never worked, never turned out to be anything better than
Tijuana
Turd
!
I know the good stuff when I smoke it, and don’t you think otherwise. Tell you what I’m gonna do,” she said after a pause. She opened her purse and sorted through the shambles inside. Withdrawing her wallet, she ostentatiously displayed a stack of bills so that he could get a good look.

“Here,” she said, handing him a hundred dollar bill. “Bring me a selection…you choose what. A couple of joints of whatever your best qualities are, a few pills, and as many kinds of anything else that the hundred bucks will cover. I’ll test them myself and decide which would be best for my people. Then I’ll give you one big order. How’s that sound?”

“Sounds good to me,” Gene said, his eyes brightened with a bit of respect. He took the bill and slipped it into the pocket of his shirt. “But what makes you so sure I’ll deliver? You don’t know me, and I gotcha money.
Whyn’t
I pretend we never met?”

Vicky’s smile was just short of a gloat. “Because I don’t think you’re that
stupid
,” she said.
At least not quite
, she added mentally. “You’re in business and I’m in business. You take off with a measly hundred bucks and you lose out on supplying fifteen adults who can’t afford to cause you any trouble. Big bucks, baby. And besides,” she added, motioning again toward Sarah, “Honey over there, has been watching us the whole time we’ve been talking. She may look like an old hooker, but she’s as sharp as the stiletto she carries in her purse. We’ve both been around a long time, sonny, and nobody plays us for suckers.”

Gene turned to look at Sarah with more attention than he’d paid before, just as she looked up at the two of them, obviously annoyed at having been left alone so long. Gene looked quickly away from her.

“This is taking more time than Honey likes,” Vicky said. “She’s growing impatient…and when she gets impatient, she gets dangerous. Do we have a deal?”

Gene still looked some somewhat doubtful, but finally said, “Okay. A hundred bucks worth.”

“Fine,” Vicky said, slipping the bill along the bar. “When can you make delivery?”

“Tomorrow,” he answered. “Park your car behind the restaurant facing away from the building. Come about this time…and leave the trunk unlocked.”

* * * *

 
“Officer Wood? This is Vicky Banning. You probably don’t remember me, but I was the lady who lost her purse in the movie theater, and you were kind enough to pay my lunch bill. Oh, you sweetheart, you do remember? Well listen, dear, since you were such a gentleman in my hour of need, I thought I’d try to return the favor. How’d you like to make a drug bust?”

The telephone blared, wrenching Vicky from a sound sleep. She groped for it without opening her eyes and mumbled, “Hello?”

“Hi, Mom,” she heard. “It’s me, Keith. Sorry to call so early, but I wanted to let you know that we’re just starting off on our vacation. We haven’t been able to reach you all week. Don’t you spend any time in your room?”

“Lord,” Vicky moaned, still half-asleep. “You certainly talk a lot in the morning. You must have inherited that from your father. What time is it?”

“It’s
four AM
here, so it must be seven where you are.”

“Four in the
morning
?” Vicky complained. She let her eyes creep open, saw the darkened room, then dropped them shut again, trying to collect her thoughts. Her body jerked upright, startled. “
Four o’clock
? What’s wrong? What’s happened?”

“Nothing, Mom,” came Keith’s quick reply. “I just told you. We won’t be here for a while, that’s all.”

“Oh,” Vicky said, and leaned back, an elbow propped on a pillow. She was trembling and tried to calm herself. “I thought—”

“No, Mom. Sorry. Everything’s fine. I’m sorry if I frightened you. I wouldn’t have called you so early…”

“That’s all right, darling,” Vicky said. “It was just that we had a long, hectic day yesterday. What with the trial and all, it
rea
—”

“
Trial
?” Keith shouted. “What trial? What have you been up to now?”

“Oh, it was nothing, sweetheart,” Vicky said, somewhat calmer now. “Possession of drugs with intent to sell, they said it was. A felony case, that’s all. You’ll probably read about it in
Time Magazine
, or
Newsweek.
That always happens when the FBI gets involved. It seems that the one simple arrest led to connections with a countrywide network and an international cartel. Anyway, it’s over now, except for the sentencing. The judge was a honey, though. He offered to arrange it so that my picture wouldn’t be published—wasn’t that thoughtful of him?—but I told him that I’d love to see my picture in a magazine. So keep a watch out for it.”

Gradually, the more she spoke, the wider awake she became. She must remember that, to wake up talking, if only to herself, especially if she was
logey
in the morning. It seemed to be doing wonders.

“Judge?”
Keith yelped. “Judge
who
?” What’s his name? I’ll call his office and find out what’s going on. Obviously there’s no sense talking to you.”

“His name?” Vicky said. “Hmmm. His name…oh, it was Judge…
er
…Judge…Hold on a minute, darling, I’ll find out.” She rustled the bed covers near the phone’s mouthpiece and, turning her head aside, called, “Judge? Oh, Judge, honey. Wake up and tell me your name, dear. My son wants to know. I think he wants to talk to you…Judge?” She brought the phone back to her ear. “I’m sorry, sweetheart,” she said. “I’ll have to let you know later. It really was an exhausting day for him, as was last night. I am glad you woke me, though. We do have to get dressed for breakfast…Hello?” she sang into the phone. “Are you still there, sweetheart? Hello?”

“You did it again,” Keith said soberly, after moments of silence.

“Did I, dear?” Vicky asked with a lilting inflection. She could tell from his voice that he was forcing gruffness to keep from laughing. At least he’d better be. She’d disown any child of hers who lacked a sense of humor. “What did I do, dearest? Was it good for you?”

“Oh, it’s ‘dearest’ now, is it?” he said, being petulant. “There’s no one in bed with you…I said, there’s no one…”

“If you say so, dear. But, actually, you’re right. There is no
one
in bed with me…there are two. A security guard from the courthouse decided to join us. But you mustn’t get upset,” she added quickly. “The only man I would ever truly love is your father. These gentlemen are just playthings. And as for
Burton
, oh, he’s my fiancée, doesn’t mean
that”—
she snapped her fingers into the mouthpiece—“to me. He’s merely another playmate.”

She heard his deep sigh all the way from
San Francisco
, then, “I don’t know why I worry about you, Mom. You’re probably in better shape than I am.”

“How sweet of you to say so, dear,” Vicky trilled. “It must be true, then. The guard said the very same thing to me last night…before he collapsed. Where are you going on your vacation?”

“We’re flying to
Miami
, and then taking a
Caribbean
cruise. The girls will take care of everything while we’re gone.”

“Are you sure they’re capable and reliable?” Vicky asked, truly concerned. Her granddaughters were full-grown women, some married, but Vicky didn’t really know them very well. “Do they have my number in case of an emergency?”

“Of course, Mom. Don’t worry. Everything will be just fine. We’re really looking forward to being pampered on the ship. We’ve even taken a suite.”

“How wonderful,” Vicky said. “I’ve been thinking about taking a cruise, maybe next year. I haven’t sailed in ages and I do love it so. Well, have a super time, sweetheart. Give my love and my kisses to everyone. Take care of all. I love you. ‘Bye.”

A cruise, what a marvelous idea. The Mediterranean maybe, or the Galapagos
. And she could send cables every day to take the place of her letters, which would take too long. That would be a delightful change, and so much faster, too. Or, maybe the cables wouldn’t even be necessary…if only…

* * * *

“Well, good morning,
Burton
,” Vicky called as she reached the elevator. “How’s my favorite fiancé? I haven’t seen you for ages, darling. Won’t you join me for breakfast?”

Burton
stood silently aside, letting her enter the elevator first. He looked quite dapper in his seersucker blazer and ascot, but his face was aloof as a noblemen’s at a hoedown. “Must I?” he asked.

“Of course you must,” Vicky laughed. “We don’t spend enough time together, and we wouldn’t want people to think we’re not getting along, would we…precious?”

They descended in silence, Vicky grinning at his discomfort and annoyance, wondering how soon she should let him off the hook. He’d been quiet recently, almost retiring. Perhaps he’d learned his lesson.

Doris
was passing as they arrived at the main floor. She was wearing a
muu-muu
which, on her, was almost form-fitting, making her look startlingly like an overgrown rhododendron bush in transit.

“You’re up early,” she said to Vicky. “What’s the occasion?

“I decided to join
Burton
for breakfast,” Vicky said, feeling his arm stiffen under her fingers. “But he seems somewhat preoccupied this morning. Would you like to join me?”

“Love to,”
Doris
said and led the way into the dining room.

Few tables were occupied this early, most of the residents preferring to have breakfast later. The room seemed warmly comfortable in the soft morning light. It was quiet, too, but for the tinkle of silver and china.

Burton
left them at the door with a nod, and Vicky chose a table in the center of the room, waving gaily to him when she was settled.

“Vicky,”
Doris
said, watching her. “I hope you don’t think for a minute that I believe that ‘engagement’ business.”

Vicky chuckled. “Well, I should hope not! It wasn’t meant to fool you. Only the people who don’t know me well.”

“What’s it all about, then?”

“I’d rather not tell tales,” Vicky said
entre nous
, then laughed, “especially if they’re true. At least not about other people. Let’s just say that a little white lie has put a stop to lots of nasty ones. And speaking of ‘tales,’ is Roger really the reason you’re not friendly with Steve? I find that hard to believe.”
There, it was finally out, now let the cards fall where they may.

“Who told you that?”
Doris
demanded. “Steve?”

“No, but it doesn’t matter who told me. Madam Vicky knows all, sees all, but tells little. When you’re known to have a closed mouth, people unload everything on you…except for you, apparently. I didn’t even know that you were Steve’s ex.”

“I’m not,”
Doris
said with finality. “He’s
my
ex! I divorced him. There’s a difference, you know.”

Vicky clucked. “Yes, like six and a half-dozen. It all winds up the same: estrangement of two people who once loved each other enough to marry. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Doris
frowned. “You don’t advertise your mistakes, do you? Well either do I. And mine was a beauty.”

“It takes two to marry,” Vicky said.

“True, but it was my idea. Anyway, I’d rather not talk about it. It’s not a comfortable subject for me.”

Hmmm,
Vicky thought.
This sounds like a job for Mary Worth!
“Whatever you say,
Doris
, but I think you’re making a mistake alienating him. Eventually, you’ll have to lose Roger as a friend too, you know.”

Doris
looked away, her face showing unhappy resignation, but she didn’t speak.

“A woman has her pride,” Vicky said. “But it’s no shame to admit having shared a mistake. If Steve had lied to you at the beginning, or hadn’t tried to make a go of your marriage, I’d say you were absolutely right in your feelings.”
Doris
gave no response. “Just don’t lose two people who love you. We don’t find love all that often you know. It’s too precious to discard.”

Doris
turned back to her with a light smile, speaking as if the conversation hadn’t occurred. “Oh, Vicky,” she said, “maybe you can help with a project I’ve been working on. I’m trying to figure out a theme for our annual charity drive. We’ve already done costume balls, ethnic parties, a circus blast, and all sorts of other things. The drive’s only a few weeks off and, frankly, I’ve run out of ideas. Do you think you can help me come up with something?”

Vicky was quite taken aback at the complete change of subject.
Doris
had made the change pleasantly, graciously, and firmly.
Doris
was more assertive than Vicky had given her credit for. Reversion to the earlier topic was not an option. “Let me think,” Vicky said. “The drives you’ve held sound rather elaborate. Weren’t they rather costly?”

“You’d better believe it. So much so that…”

“…that there wasn’t anywhere near as much left for charity as you’d hoped there’d be.”
Doris
nodded. “That’s often what happens. Everyone shells out a fortune, has a great time, and the charities—that it’s all supposed to be for—wind up with the leftover, a pittance comparatively.”

“That’s usually the way it has worked out,”
Doris
said. “But without the drives, the charities would get nothing at all.”

Vicky’s face was drawn in serious thought, then an eyebrow arched and she glanced up at
Doris
with a rakish glint in her eyes. “Low overhead,” she said in a soft, flat voice, as if just thinking aloud. “Plain meals and entertainment…I think it would work!” She began to flutter with excitement. “And it would be fun, too. All we need is an okay from my ‘friend,’ the governor. Yes, it’s a marvelous idea, if I say so myself.” She started to rise. “I’ll go right now…”

“Hold on,”
Doris
interrupted, her palm upraised to Vicky. “Calm down. What kind of scheme have you hatched in that devious little mind of yours now?”

Vicky looked surprised. “Oh, didn’t I tell you? We’re going to have a
Las Vegas
night. We’ll shake loose those donations until everyone has to leave in their underpants…and all for charity, of course.”

“No good. Gambling is illegal in
Pennsylvania
,”
Doris
exclaimed. “And I don’t know anything about it. Besides, where would we get the equipment? And the entertainment would cost a fortune, just what we should try to avoid. I wouldn’t know where to begin.”

“Honey,” said Vicky, “you just leave everything to Poker Patty here. When Gerald and I were dashing around
Europe
, I was the belle of the casinos. They used to call us the Baccarat
Bannings
and welcome us with open arms. Not that we lost much, mind you; we really didn’t bet a great deal, and we usually won a little. But while we went for the fun of it, we watched and learned a lot, became experts. The casino high
muckety
-mucks admired us for that. Fleecing rubes was profitable but dull, they often told us, but when they played against us they were able to play at their peak. They allowed us to learn every trick in the book, even how to spot cheaters.”