In the Vanishing Room

’’You asked my business, ’’ remarked Dasher, ’’and I told you that I’m a trouble-shooter. I shoot trouble - with this.’’ He waved the .45. ’’And you’re trouble. My client asked that you both be removed, and I’m most obliging, you see, at a price.’’

’’Why?’’ cried Marian. ’’Why should he want us killed?’’

’’I don’t know, ’’ said Dasher. ’’I have no idea. Those things are never of interest to me. I have clients all over the country who send people to me. I never ask why. I ask, how much will you pay? That’s what I ask. Some people come higher than others. It depends on their importance. And believe me, this is not an expensive job, as they go. You’ll hardly be missed.’’

He called to his assistant. ’’Go get the tarp. The gentleman will go first. I’m in no hurry with the lady.’’ He gave Marian a lewd grin.

Robert Colby was the author of more than a dozen crime thriller novels and short stories, most notably The Captain Must Die. Some of his other works include The Deadly Desire and Murder Mistress. He was also a prolific contributor of short stories to Alfred Hitchcock magazine and Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine--many were later published into two anthology collections.