Have a Nice Night by James Hadley Chase

we can dance?'
    'We will dine there,' Maria said firmly. 'I want to show those stupid looking old women I have finer and more beautiful jewels than they have.'
    'As you like,' Wilbur said. 'I'll get the diamonds then.'
    Going to the concealed safe that Dulac had installed, he opened it and took out the red leather case. Then putting the case on the dressing table, he finally fixed his tie. He put on his white tuxedo, then sat down to watch Maria adorn herself with the jewelry her father had given her.
    He admitted, watching her, she was a very beautiful woman, and the glitter of diamonds became her dark skin.
    *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
    When Maggie wheeled Brady into the Empress Restaurant, their appearance caused a minor sensation. The old people were already seated at their tables. Waiters were moving around with trays of aperitifs. The short, fat maitre d' was darting from table to table, smiling, suggesting this and that delicacy to tempt the jaded palates of the old. Seeing Maggie pushing the wheelchair, he flicked his fingers and his assistant took the bundle of menus from him, and he advanced, smiling at Brady.
    'Mr. Vance,' he said, 'A pleasure. Your table, as requested, is in the far corner.' He flicked his fingers and a waiter approached.
    'Please, Madame, allow us . . .'
    'I prefer to manage,' Maggie said, giving him her sexy smile. 'Just show me the way.'
    Watched by all the diners, she wheeled Brady to a distant, secluded table.
    There were muted whispers: 'Who's he?' 'Pretty nurse.' 'Must have just arrived.'
    Finally, settled at the table, the maitre d' handed Brady and Maggie a menu each.
    'If I may suggest . . .' he began.
    'Go away!' Brady growled in his old man's voice. 'I know what I like! I'm not an idiot!'
    The maitre d's smile slipped a little, but Maggie gave him a knowing wink to tell him her patient was difficult. He bowed and went away.
    'Lu, pet, you don't have to be rude to the nice man,' Maggie whispered.
    'Quiet, baby!' Brady said. 'I'm in character.'
    Then he began to examine the menu. The prices against each dish made his eyes widen. 'What a racket!' he muttered. 'Daylight robbery!' He began to search for the cheapest dish, and finally decided on Sole de L'Imperatrice which cost $35.
    'We'll have the sole,' he told Maggie who was drooling over the Epicurean dishes.
    Maggie's face fell. 'I don't dig fish, honey. I'd adore this Chicken Maryland.'
    'Look at the price!'
    'You told me we were going to make a million,' Maggie said. 'I'm starving!'
    'If we're unlucky, I'll have to pay for your food out of my own pocket. We'll have the sole.'
    'Unlucky?' Maggie immediately looked worried. 'You said . . .'
    'Quiet!' Brady snapped. 'Act like a nurse! You talk when I speak to you.'
    Maggie sighed and began to butter a roll of bread. It wasn't until the sole arrived and was presented with a flourish that Maggie, peering at the contents of the silver dish, brightened. The sole, done in a heavy cream and wine sauce was decorated with sliced truffles, diced lobster and fried oysters.
    Brady had sternly refused the maitre d's suggestion that they should begin with a prawn salad, and when the wine waiter offered a white wine, the price of which made Brady cringe, he demanded water.
    'If you go on stuffing yourself with bread,' Brady said when the wine waiter had gone, 'you'll get fat.'
    'I'm hungry,' Maggie whined, 'but this looks okay,' and she began to attack the sole.
    As Brady ate, he surveyed the people at the other tables. 'Ed was right,' he muttered. 'The jewels these old cows are wearing are worth a pile of dough. Look at that old trout on your right. That bracelet is worth at least a hundred thousand.'
    'I didn't think I liked fish,' Maggie said, intent on her plate, 'but this is gorgeous.'
    There was a sudden commotion at the entrance to the restaurant. The maitre d' hurried forward. Two of his satellites followed.
    Wilbur and Maria made their entrance. Maria looked