The Maltese Cube (Chapter 8)

What happened before in Chapter 7

Mac comes to after being whacked in the head to find Pindler and Gassly sitting in his apartment demanding answers. Pindler threatens Mac and Lisa’s life if they don’t come up with something fast.

Chapter 8
Cards laid on the Table

Ignoring the voice of self-preservation screaming at me to shut-up in the back of my brain, I decided to intervene. I still didn’t know what the value of this Cube was, but people were willing to kill for it. I needed more information and the only way to get it seemed to be from Pindler.

‘Why don’t you tell me what she’s told you so far Pindler? Maybe I can make sense of it.’

Pindler contemplated my ceiling as he thought it over. He was a man who liked to keep things close to his chest and not reveal his cards. If he said too little, I probably couldn’t help him. Too much and I could become a rival in whatever scheme he was hatching.

‘All right Mr. Tosh. Perhaps you can be of some use here. Miss Ecksell has informed me that a man of whom she is an acquaintance of has the Cube. So far, she has been reluctant to disclose his name.’

I took a deep breath. ‘You mean Newton? I know him too.’

Lisa’s head shot up when I said Newton’s name. I don’t know what she had expected me to say, but honest answers to these cutthroats was probably way down on the list. Pindler saw her reaction and took note of it. I’m sure he was pleased by her dismay.

Pindler chuckled amusingly. ‘Well, well Mr. Tosh. We ARE full of surprises. Perhaps I was too hasty in my initial appraisal of you.’

‘You wouldn’t be the first to make that mistake.’ I said ‘Most people regret it afterwards.’

‘A threat Mac? Somehow I expected more from you.’ Said Pindler. ‘No matter. I am in control of this situation, not you.’

Things were turning ugly. I had to get them out of here before anything else happened.

‘You’re welcome to think so. I don’t care one way or another.’ I stood up from my chair. ‘It’s time for you and Frenchie here to leave. Meet me in my office tomorrow afternoon. Oh, and Lisa stays with me.’

It was obvious that Pindler was not happy with the direction the evening had taken. He made one last pitch to take control back.

‘Do you know where Newton is? If not, does Lisa know? I could force it out of you.’

Gassly took a step forward, eager to be set loose from his leash. When Pindler held up his hand, he reluctantly stopped.

‘You’ll get nothing from me that way and you know it. Lisa knows he has it, but doesn’t know where he is. Harming her would get you nowhere and will set my resolve to not help you.’ I said. ‘I’ll get you the Cube, but in my own way. I think I know how to get a hold of Newton. Stop by my office tomorrow for an update. And bring money. I expect to be paid and the clock started when you first met me.’

Pindler sighed. ‘Alright Mr. Tosh. I’ll go along with this for now. My Gassly and I will see you tomorrow afternoon in your office. I expect progress though, and my patience is not infinite.

Without another word he rose from the chair and headed for the door. Gassly put away his revolver and at the threshold of the door, turned and said ‘Sacre bleu.’ for no other reason than to remind us that he was French.

Once they were gone, Lisa turned to me tried to speak. ‘Mac, I ‘¦.’

I cut her off. ‘Not another word Lisa. You’ve gotten me into a terrible spot and I need to figure out what to do next. In the morning, you’re going to tell me how to get in touch with Newton. Go to the spare bedroom and get some sleep. I think we’re going to need it.’

Lisa got up and walked toward her bedroom. She hesitated at the doorway and half turned as if she was going to say something.

‘Good night Lisa. I’ll see you in the morning.’ She continued into her room and shut the door.