Read Online The Two Faces of January by Patricia Highsmith - Free Book Online

Greek at the age of eight, or maybe even younger, at any rate after he had reached a “reasonable proficiency” in Latin, and then, at fifteen, demotic Greek, in preparation for the European tour that his father intended to make in the late summer with his wife and three children. It would have been Rydal’s second trip to Europe, but it never came off, because he met Agnes that spring. He felt Chester’s eyes on him, more intense now, and involuntarily Rydal leaned to one side and glanced into the mirror which covered the wall just behind Chester. His short, dark hair was combed, a bit shiny with damp, no smudges on his rather pale face, his eyes and mouth serious and composed as usual. Chester was probably thinking he was a very reserved type for a crook, or someone who drifted on the fringes of criminals. It was of no interest to Rydal what Chester thought. “You’re in the investment business?” Rydal asked suddenly, lighting a cigarette.
    â€œWell—” Chester’s fingertips lifted from the table and hovered in the air. “I am in a sense. I arrange business for several other people. Adviser, you might say,” Chester added heavily, as if he had just found the word. “Stocks. You know.”
    Rydal thought he knew. “What kind?”
    â€œOh—” There was a long hesitation. “Matter of fact many of them are pretty secret just now, not on the market yet officially. One stock, for instance, is being launched on an invention that hasn’t yet even been completed. Universal Key. Works on a magnetic principle.” His voice was gathering conviction. He looked Rydal in the eye.
    Rydal nodded. Chester was getting onto home ground now, and Rydal could imagine how he operated. He was a con man, and probably a very good one, the kind who convinced himself, fell himself under the spell he wanted to throw over a prospective customer. Rydal sensed that he lived in an unreality. No wonder the reality of the corpse this afternoon had given him a jolt. “Well, I’m not exactly in a position to buy any,” Rydal said.
    â€œNo. Well.” Chester smiled easily. “Position to buy any. I was going to mention . . . uh . . . a little reimbursement for your trouble in arranging these passports. What would you—”
    â€œI didn’t mean financial position,” Rydal said, putting on a smile also. “I meant I’m not interested in stocks, and don’t know anybody I’d be passing secrets on to.” The reimbursement situation was making Chester nervous, Rydal saw. Chester wanted it over with, wanted to know if he were in for blackmail or not. Rydal took a deep breath and sighed, and finished his coffee. He looked at his wristwatch. They were due to meet Niko in five minutes.
    â€œWell, in regard to reimbursing you, what do you think would be fair? I’d like to give you something. Or . . . have you arranged that with Niko?”
    â€œNo,” Rydal said casually. “Thanks very much. No need for reimbursement.”
    â€œOh, come now. I don’t mean to insult you . . . didn’t mean to, but surely . . .” He was like a man protesting to get the bill and not really wanting it.
    Rydal shook his head. “Thanks.” He lifted a finger for the waiter, and reached for his money to pay the tabs which had come with the coffees. “To be businesslike, you should wait anyway to see if the passports are satisfactory. All I’ve done for you is deprive you and your wife of your passports and five thousand dollars, you might say.”
    â€œOh!” Chester smiled. “No, let me get this. You got the taxi.” Chester put his own money down and left a hundred per cent tip. “You also did me a great favor in the hotel,” Chester said more quietly, “by offering to give me an alibi, if the police arrived.” He had been looking down at the ashtray, and now he looked up at Rydal. “If