The Case Of The Cases: Chapter XX

Hugh Hamilton

"Oddly enough," Hugh said, "I've just realised something."
"That is odd," said Ben caustically.
"That guy's reward for our finding of his briefcase was this other briefcase he found that we have already promised we would find for that other guy."
"Yes." Ben thought for a moment. "The question is: is the money in the briefcase worth more then what the other guy is paying us?"
"Indeed," indeeded Hugh. "But is there a way for us to acquire both?"
"You mean effectively having our cake and eating it too?"
"Yes, except I'm talking about money. No one mentioned cake."
"I, for one, did."
"That's true. Forget it then."
All of a sudden, or at least part of one, a now-familiar door bell chimed from somewhere in the vicinity of the door. The door, for that was its name, was opened with the aid of a person called Ben.
"You again?" said Ben.
"Yes, me again," said the slightly overweight lady in a bathing costume.
"You again?" said Hugh.
"Yes, her again," said Ben.
"What now?" asked Ben suspiciously.
"I've got another job for you."
"Good." Ben nodded slowly. "What is it?"
"You know that briefcase that we were all fussing about?"
"Quite well by now," replied Ben.
"Well I've gone and lost it."
"Have you?" Ben inhaled.
"Yes, and I would like you to find it."
"Would you?" Ben wheezed.
"Yes."
"Right." Ben nodded stealthily. "OK. Bye."
Lady Bathe left.
Ben turned and looked menacingly at Hugh.
"I'm certainly not going to Fresno," Hugh protested.
But by the time he had finished speaking, he'd already changed his mind.
"Actually, I think I will," decided Hugh. "If you pay for the tickets."
"Deal," Ben agreed.
"Where the hell is Fresno anyway?" asked Hugh.
"California."
"Oh. I hate America."
"We made a deal."
Hugh sighed.
A few days later, Hugh was back.
"Did you get the briefcase?" asked Ben.
"No."
"Rats."
"Mice," corrected Hugh.
"Why didn't you get the briefcase?"
"Because Fresno is just an exclusive bar around the corner. He wasn't going to Orange County."
"I know," said Ben absently.
"What? Why the hell didn't you tell me?"
Ben shrugged.
"Let's go to the bar," he said.