The Maltese Cube (Chapter 18)

What happened in Chapter 17

Lisa shows up at Mac’s office. Not long after that, Pindler and Gassly show up as well. Mac makes some non-specific accusations which Pindler laughs off. Mac finally gets under Pindler’s skin by calling him a stooge for someone else.

Chapter 18
Another face in the crowd

Without taking his eyes off me, Gassly picked that moment to walk towards Pindler. He bent over and whispered something into his ear. Pindler nodded brusquely and took a moment to compose himself. I think he suddenly realized that he had said too much.

‘Well done sir. You’ve irritated me into carelessness. While it is true that I’m acting with less independence than I am accustomed to, this does not change our fundamental arrangement. I do not see the Maltese Cube in your office, as I was lead to expect. Mr. Gassly however, informs me that there is a hidden panel behind you. I would wager that you are keeping the item within its enclosure. Would that be correct?’

‘It could be there. I said. ‘It might also be where I keep my good Scotch. So far, I haven’t seen anything resembling what you have to trade for it’

‘Fair enough.’ Pindler snapped his fingers and Gassly pulled an envelope out of his jacket pocket. ‘I think this will cover your usual fee.’

I looked inside the envelope. Normally this would be fair compensation for this type of assignment. Newton however was dead.

Not everyone in this office had pulled the trigger, but we were all somewhat responsible. While Newton and I had not been what I would call close, he had still been a friend. He had come to me hoping for a resolution and had gotten a bullet in the back. No amount of money could change that. Pindler was not going to walk away from this cheaply.

‘I think this is a little short Pindler. We need to add at least one more zero.’

‘Ten thousand dollars for a little leg work? I think you value your time too dearly’

‘There was a lot more involved than shoe leather and you know it. If you could have found it on your own, you wouldn’t have needed me.’

Pindler thought about that for a moment. ‘This is true. You did save me a lot of time and time is money.’

He pulled another envelope from his jacket and began to count out the necessary amount. He placed it in front of me on my desk and I pocketed it.

‘Not going to count it?’ He asked.

‘No need. If it isn’t all there, I bet I could find you.’

This returned him to his former good mood. ‘You probably could indeed Mr. Tosh. My opinion of your abilities increase by the minute.’

At that moment, the intercom buzzed again.

‘Yes Maxie?’

‘Boss, your next visitor is here.’

‘Thanks. Send him in.’

‘He’s on the way. I’m just finishing that filing job and I’m leaving.’

‘That’s fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

After clicking the intercom off, Pindler began to speak. ‘I’m paying for your time. Why are you excepting other appointments?’

Before I could answer, the office door opened and in walked Bell. The moment Bell and Pindler laid eyes on one another, I could tell that Pindler knew him. Chances were that he was working for him also. I had a hunch things were about to get hairy.

‘What are you doing here?’ Said Bell to Pindler.

‘Preparing to complete our agreement.’ replied Pindler. ‘You wanted the Maltese Cube and Mr. Tosh here was kind enough to procure it for me. Things became complicated when you went behind my back and hired his services without telling me.’

‘I don’t have to explain myself to you or your hired gun. I get the people I think I need to do what needs to be done. End of story. Tosh found the Maltese Cube for ME, not you. I’ve already paid you half up front, more than you deserve, so why do you care?’

I expected Pindler to explode over Bell’s tirade. I was to be disappointed. He sat back in his chair and coolly looked at Bell.

‘Quite right sir. I apologize for my outburst. I expect you to pay me the other half in the usual way. Mr. Tosh will of course also be paid by you.’

Bell opened his briefcase and handed Pindler a note with a large number printed on it. Nothing was said, but I assumed it was an account number of some overseas bank out of reach from the IRS. After securing it, Pindler looked back at me.

‘A bit of advice Mac. When dealing with people like this, make sure you’re paid up front.’

I was surprised by Pindler suggesting that Bell pay me for services that he had already compensated me for. It was the first decent thing he had done in the short time that I had known him. Although I suspect he did it just to see Bell shell out more money.

Bell on the other hand, seemed indignant at the suggestion that he would not pay his bills. He opened his briefcase and removed stacks of wrapped 100-dollar bills. He placed 5 of these stacks on my desk. Between Bell and Pindler, I certainly won’t need to worry about money for a while.