The Narrow Margin Page #2

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They'll be on the train together someplace.

- Better get started.

- Who covers us? Just in case.

Leave that to Densel.

I'll be in the club car.

Central Pacific, train number 5...

Golden West Limited for Kansas City...

La Junta, Albuquerque and Los Angeles...

departing on Track D in five minutes.

Conductor C. Arnicob, please report

to the stationmaster's office.

Central Pacific, gate number 5, Golden...

- Your bags are inside, sir.

- Okay, fine. Thanks.

It's me, Brown. Open up.

- Well, are we okay?

- I'll tell you in a minute.

All aboard!

The answer is no.

- They know I'm here, don't they?

- Take it easy.

Who followed you?

The man in the fur collar?

No, but someone

from the same stable, I guess.

Some creep with a one-track mind.

Well, what're you going to do?

How are you going to handle it?

Why did you let him follow you?

They promised me protection.

Shut up.

- They said it would...

- Shut up, do you hear?

I got enough on my mind.

It's a rotten detail. I don't like it.

I didn't like it from the start.

My partner's dead and it's my fault.

He's dead and you're alive.

Some exchange.

Lock it.

This gentleman's lost a briefcase.

We thought the redcap might have

put it in here by mistake.

I don't think so. These are mine.

It was a pigskin case.

Well, we'll keep looking.

Sorry to bother you.

I'm sure it's in this car.

What about this next room?

The room's empty.

As a matter of fact, conductor,

I was going to speak to you about that.

My partner was held over in Chicago.

We won't be needing this space.

Both rooms are paid for through

to the Coast. I'd like a rebate.

I'll wire the passenger agent

in Kansas City.

- We'll try to sell it for you there.

- Much obliged.

- I hope you find your case.

- I will.

It's all right.

That was the one, wasn't it?

Yeah, he seems to have

me spotted anyhow.

I haven't got a chance. He'll be back.

Once he finds me, goodbye.

- Maybe not.

- Are you kidding?

I can't hang out the window.

And the upper berth's too small.

- What are you going to do? Measure it?

- You gave me an idea.

Well, I don't like it already.

I'm in a spot, Brown,

and it's your job to protect me.

- It's your move.

- You're wrong, it's his.

We're going to let him make it, Mrs. Neall.

- Care for something, sir?

- What?

Yes. The same as hers.

I'll finish this at another table.

- I'm terribly sorry.

- That's all right.

- Here, let me.

- It'll dry.

I'm sorry.

Don't I even get a chaser?

I'm really sorry.

At least let me pay for your drink.

No, this one's on me, too.

- Fix her another, please.

- The same as his.

So sorry.

Some day they'll get around

to paving this track.

Then these accidents won't happen.

Here's to better tracks

and steadier nerves.

- Mine or yours?

- Yours.

You know, you'll get there

just as fast if you relax.

That sounds familiar. You're right.

I am a bit on edge tonight.

Excuse me.

Wait! Your...

I'm sorry. Thank you.

Pardon me. I'd like to get through.

Sorry. This train wasn't designed

for my tonnage.

Nobody loves a fat man,

except his grocer and his tailor.

Yeah, how about that?

You're Mr. Kemp, aren't you?

Joseph Kemp?

- That's right.

- There's a wire for you.

By the way, this isn't your space, is it?

No. I was looking for that briefcase.

I thought it might be in the other room.

- Only I was wrong.

- I'm afraid you were, Mr. Kemp.

Can't blame a guy for trying, can you?

There's somebody in here.

What do you want? Who are you?

I know. He's a train robber.

No, just a passenger. I must have

gotten into the wrong compartment.

- Indeed you did.

- Mine must be in the car ahead.

- Do you carry a gun?

- Let the man be.

He made a mistake,

so let him go about his business.

Thank you, madam.

But if his business is robbing people,

we ought to call the police or something.

Good night, son.

Terribly sorry. Good night.

Hey, the next car doesn't have

compartments. It's a day coach.

- I bet you he is a robber.

- Come back here. This instant.

Close that door.

All right, but I'm going to lock it.

It's all clear. Give me your bag.

Well, did he go for it or didn't he?

He bit. Searched both rooms.

You're the little girl who wasn't here.

Lucky me.

Chances are they will look for you

here again.

- What do you mean "they"?

- Oh, it's just a hunch.

These birds travel in pairs sometimes.

Don't worry about it.

You're still a mystery to them.

It's a long train, you're not

the only woman passenger aboard.

I'm the only one who won't sleep tonight.

I know a woman who won't sleep

for a lot of nights.

Who?

Forbes's wife.

Mr. Brown, I have a business proposition

you might be interested in.

Never carry one. Got no stomach for it.

Okay if I put my hands down?

My name's Yost. Vincent Yost.

- So?

- I'd like us to have a little talk.

We're ready to make a deal.

You have her. We want her. How much?

It's as simple as that.

You're under arrest.

- For what?

- Attempted bribery.

Bribery? You'd never make it stick.

I'm a sales executive for the

Midwest Equipment Company, Chicago.

I've never even gotten

as much as a parking ticket.

We'd like to settle this reasonably.

- Is that why you killed Forbes?

- Forbes?

Oh, I didn't know. I'm sorry.

We got word of your coming so late

that we had to improvise.

Believe me, my company doesn't like

to do business that way.

I know his wife would be happy

to learn that. Also his two daughters.

And the bank that holds the mortgage

on his house.

It's to our own interest.

That's why I'm here.

I know that there can be

a meeting of the minds if you'll listen.

I'm not interested.

Not in $25,000 or $30,000?

You name your own figure, Mr. Brown.

I'm sure that we can strike

a favorable agreement.

My friend has a heavy investment

in this matter.

Several of our key personnel are involved.

Not at any price.

You dismiss it so lightly.

I can see you've never known what it feels

like to have that much money of your own.

- May I put my hand in my pocket?

- Go ahead.

$5,000. A sample.

How much does a policeman earn?

$300, $400 a month?

We offer you a fortune.

- And what do we ask in return?

- What?

That you point her out

and turn the other way.

You go through the motions

of guarding her, until the accident occurs.

No.

- Now why do you say that?

- I don't like murder.

A gangster's wife?

Believe me, the world's better off

without her.

Just think it over. Think what you could do

with a lot of money.

Of course, if you're really concerned

about the Forbes family...

you could give it to them.

Meanwhile, we'll keep looking.

We'll get her whether you give her to us

or not, so don't take too long.

It would be a shame

if you missed your opportunity.

I'm sure you'll find me

when you make up your mind.

What're you going to do?

Shoot something for breakfast?

Sure. Name it.

Eggs, bacon, toast, a bucket of coffee

and some cigarettes. I'm famished, Brown.

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