1950 - Mallory (13 page)

T
hey waited in the dingy studio for darkness to come.

Jan leaned against the wall by the window, his hands deep in his trenchcoat pockets, a limp cigarette hanging from his thin lips. Near him, Jeanne dozed in an armchair. Every so often when she drifted into a deeper sleep, her body jerked violently, awakening her. Ranleigh sat opposite them, his head supported on his hand, silent and effacing. He had scarcely said a word all the long afternoon.

At the far end of the room, Corridon and Ann sat together on the settee, hidden from the other three by an ugly, ornate screen. There was an explosive atmosphere in the studio, and Corridon had been careful to keep Ann from Jeanne’s sight, certain that if they came face to face there would be a scene.

With her aid, he had worked out the route to Dunbar. It had been finally agreed that they should all go by road, using Ann’s car. There was a motorboat at Dunbar, Ann had told him, belonging to the island, to take them across from the mainland.

And now they had nothing more to do but to wait until it was dark. The police had not returned, and Corridon assumed thankfully that the two policemen who had interviewed him with Holroyd hadn’t connected him with the description in circulation.

At regular half-hour intervals Jan left his place at the window, crossed the studio and entered the bedroom where Holroyd had been left, tied to the bed. Each time he went into the bedroom he had to pass Ann and Corridon, and he gave Ann a hard, searching stare of hatred.

A few minutes past seven when dusk was falling, Ranleigh got up, muttering that he would prepare a meal. He went into the kitchen.

Corridon, bored with the long wait, also rose to his feet, stretched and joined Jan by the window. As he approached, Jeanne started up in her chair.

‘Is it time?’ she asked sharply.

‘Not yet,’ Corridon returned, conscious that Jan was eyeing him suspiciously. ‘It’ll be dark enough in about an hour.’

The three of them looked at the darkening sky. Heavy clouds were slowly climbing above the rooftops. It was turning cooler.

‘It’s going to rain,’ Corridon went on. ‘With luck it’ll clear the streets.’

The other two said nothing. He could sense their enmity, and shrugging impatiently he wandered into the kitchen where Ranleigh was laboriously preparing a meal.

‘Getting on all right?’ Corridon asked. ‘Can I give you a hand?’

‘They’ve scarcely spoken a word to me,’ Ranleigh said in a whisper. He looked haggard and anxious. ‘I feel the way Crew must have felt.’

‘You worry too much,’ Corridon said. He glanced over his shoulder through the open kitchen door. He could see Jan staring out of the window, his back to him. ‘We’re three against two now. Ann’s on our side.’

‘What good can she be against those two?’ Ranleigh asked indifferently.

‘She’ll be useful when we get to the island.’

‘If we get there. I know them better than you. They’re ruthless. They don’t trust me…’ He broke off as a faint cry took Corridon to the kitchen door in two strides.

Ann had come out from behind the screen to join him and had come face to face with Jeanne. As Corridon came quickly into the studio, Jeanne, her face white and her eyes glittering, had caught hold of Ann’s arms and was glaring at her with a look of insane fury on her face.

Moving swiftly, Corridon caught hold of Jeanne’s shoulder and jerked her round, breaking her hold on Ann’s arms.

‘All right,’ he said tersely. ‘Relax. I don’t want any dramatics.’

For a second she stared at him as if she didn’t recognize him, then she struck him, but he caught her flying wrist and gave her a sharp push, sending her staggering against the wall, ‘I said stop it,’ he barked. ‘Cut it out, will you?’

She leaned against the wall, trying to speak, but the words would not come. Then her breathing became laboured and a horrible change came over her. Her eyes seemed to recede in their sockets, the muscles in her face became rigid and a low hissing sound came through her locked teeth. In those few seconds she lost all semblance of sanity.

‘Look out!’ Ranleigh cried. ‘Watch her! I’ve seen her go like this before...’

Corridon took a quick step back. Ann caught her breath sharply. The malevolence in Jeanne’s eyes shocked them both.

Her hooked fingers and rigid brown hands lifted towards Corridon in a tentative groping way as if measuring their distance before they slashed at him.

Jan, who had been watching in silence, suddenly moved quickly between Corridon and Jeanne. Without hesitation, he hit Jeanne on the side of her jaw with his half-closed fist, and as she fell forward he caught her and lowered her gently to the floor. With surprising tenderness he lifted one of her eyelids, took her pulse rate and stood up.

‘Get a pillow for her,’ he said to Ranleigh, but it was Corridon who handed the nearest pillow to him. Ranleigh just stood staring down at the unconscious girl, horror in his eyes, unable to move.

Corridon watched Jan place the pillow under Jeanne’s head.

He took out his handkerchief and wiped his face, feeling slightly unnerved, knowing that his first impression of her was confirmed. She was, he realized, insane.

‘Shall I get her a drink?’ he asked awkwardly. Sick people and illness always bothered him.

‘She’ll be all right now,’ Jan said. The protruding eyes were worried; the square-shaped, ruthless hands gentle as he adjusted the pillow. ‘She’ll sleep for a little while.’ He stood up, looking at Corridon. ‘She has these attacks. Is it to be wondered at?’ He looked out of the corners of his eyes at Ann who had drawn back and was standing looking at Jeanne, pale and frightened. ‘Few women could have endured what she has been through.’

‘But this is serious,’ Corridon said, moving over to Ann.

‘Say nothing to her about it. She will not remember what has happened. It is nothing - a passing attack of nerves,’ Jan said, elaborately casual.

‘Don’t talk like a fool,’ Corridon said sharply. ‘She behaved just now like a dangerous lunatic. She needs proper care and attention.’

‘Yes?’ Jan said and smiled. ‘I don’t think so. It’s this waiting and hiding. She has had much to endure. She will be all right when we have found Mallory,’ and once again he smiled, a cold, vicious smile that
sent a chill down Ann’s spine.

J
eanne opened her eyes to find Jan kneeling at her side, shaking her gently.

‘Wake up,’ he was saying. ‘How do you feel?’

To her his voice sounded far away, and she was conscious of a dull pain in her head and a feeling of lassitude that alarmed her. Jan’s round face and oyster-grey eyes swam before her, not quite in focus, but comfortingly familiar. She made an effort to sit up, feeling his hand on her back, supporting her.

‘I’m all right,’ she said, her hand going to her head. ‘I’ve been asleep.’ Then realizing she was lying on the floor, she suddenly gripped Jan’s arm, staring at him with frightened, suspicious eyes. ‘What’s happened? What did I do?’

‘You fainted,’ Jan said soothingly. ‘Don’t get up unless you feel like it. There’s no immediate hurry. Corridon’s gone for the car.’

‘Fainted?’ She had never fainted in her life. ‘You’re lying.’ The brown hand tightened on his arm. What happened?’

‘You fainted,’ Jan repeated quietly. ‘There’s nothing to worry about.’

But she knew he was lying; fear laid hold of her.

‘Tell me, Jan. What happened! Did I have another attack?’ She pulled at his arm, staring at him, trying to read the truth from his round, worried face. ‘Like the previous one? Tell me. I must know.’

His hesitation confirmed her suspicions.

‘Was it bad?’ she asked before he could speak. ‘How long did it last?’

‘It was nothing serious,’ he assured her. ‘At first I thought you had fainted.’ Then seeing the sick horror in her eyes, he went on hurriedly, ‘It may not happen again. There’s nothing to worry about.’

Her fingers touched the side of her jaw where he had hit her, and she flinched.

‘It hurts. You had to hit me?’

‘No!’ He waved his hands excitedly. ‘I tell you it was nothing.’

‘You had to hit me,’ she said dully, ‘and you say it is nothing.’ She caught hold of his hands. ‘What’s happening to me, Jan? I feel my mind is going. My head aches so, I’m frightened.’

‘The strain and worry - look what you have been through you need rest. It is nothing I tell you.’

‘What’s going to happen to me?’ she repeated, releasing his hands.

His worried tenderness gave way to impatience.

‘What does it matter what happens to either of us so long as we find Mallory? I have nothing further to live for. Have you?’

She rested her head in her hands, pressing her temples with her fingertips.

‘But shall we ever find him? And if we do it will mean the end of us. When he dies our lives have no further purpose. We will be finished.’

‘My life finished when Charlotte died,’ Jan said simply. ‘But don’t let us talk about these things now. We have much to do.’

Again she caught hold of his hands.

‘I don’t know what I should do without you, Jan. We quarrel; we disagree; sometimes we hate each other, but you’re always there when I need you.’

But he was a little bored now with kindness. There was still much to do. The twenty minutes he had stayed with her had exhausted the small amount of tenderness in his nature. He now wanted her to pull herself together and to be no longer a burden.

‘We have a common enemy,’ he said sharply. ‘Besides, good friends always quarrel. It is a test of friendship. Time grows short.’

She made a tremendous effort, controlling her shaken nerves, forcing her mind away from the racking pain that rolled around inside her skull, and slowly and with Jan’s help, she got to her feet. She held on to him, steadying herself, then moved away from him.

‘What is happening now?’

‘Corridon and the girl are getting the car. Ranleigh is packing food.’

A wave of irritation ran through her. How hopeless he was, she thought wearily.

‘You let those two go off together?’

Jan explained patiently, ‘I had to stay with you. Someone had to get the car.’

She straightened.

‘Yes. I’m sorry, Jan. You had to stay with me. But they could so easily take the car and leave us, couldn’t they? You thought of that?’

Jan lifted his shoulders indifferently.

‘It does not matter to me if they do go. We can do without them.’

‘No, you’re wrong. We can’t do without Corridon. He will lead us to Mallory. We must not lose sight of him.’

Jan flared up.

‘Always you say that. Have faith in me. Why do you pin your faith to this man Corridon?’

‘I don’t know. I can’t help it. I have a feeling about him. I am convinced he will find Mallory. I can’t explain why, but I feel it, the way you feel hunger. It is positive. I can’t ignore it. He is tied up in some inexplicable way with Mallory’s destiny and mine. I know he will find Mallory.’

‘Very well then,’ Jan said with restrained exasperation. ‘We shall see. But I warn you he’s not to be trusted.’

‘I know,’ she said helplessly, ‘and I hate him. I’d give anything to be free of him, but I am positive he will lead us to Mallory.’

‘I must see what Ranleigh’s doing,’ Jan said, knowing that if he didn’t change the subject of Corridon he would lose his temper. ‘Sit down and wait. The car will come. There’s nothing to worry about.’

He went into the kitchen.

‘Are you ready?’

Ranleigh gave him a furtive, uneasy look.

‘I have packed what I could find. There wasn’t much,’ he said. ‘How is she?’

‘All right. Have you seen anything of the car?’

Ranleigh shook his head.

‘And Holroyd; is he all right?’

‘I don’t know. I haven’t been near him.’

Jan sneered.

‘You’re not much use, are you?’ He went out of the kitchen, across the studio, into the bedroom.

Jeanne heard him give a startled grunt.

‘What is it?’ she asked as he spun round to confront her.

‘He’s gone,’ he said. ‘That fool Ranleigh didn’t watch him
. He’ll bring the police here!’

D
on’t put on the light,’ Corridon said as Ann and he entered her bungalow. ‘We’re supposed to be in the garage. Now look, I want to talk to you. The woman’s dangerous. She’s off her head. It wouldn’t be safe for you to come with us.’

He stood close to her in the almost dark studio. He couldn’t see her face, only the dim outline of her figure, and he could hear her even breathing.

‘Will you promise not to tell anyone where we’re going? Do that and you can go. I’ll tell them you gave me the slip.’

‘I’m coming with you,’ she said without hesitation. ‘If Brian’s alive, I’m going to be there to do what I can to help him.’

‘But she’s cracked,’ Corridon said, worried. ‘I can’t be with you all the time. She may do you an injury.’

‘I must take my chance. Now I know I’ll be on my guard, but I’m coming with you. I’ve made up my mind.’

‘Well, all right,’ Corridon said. ‘Have it your own way. I’ll admit you’ll be useful. With your knowledge of the district you’ll save us a lot of time. You’re sure now?’

‘Of course I am.’

‘Then pack whatever you want to take with you and be quick about it. Where’s the phone? I want to put through a call.’

‘It’s by the window.’

As soon as she had gone into her bedroom, he groped his way across the studio to the telephone and dialled telegrams.

When the operator answered he said, ‘Telegram for Detective-Sergeant Rawlins, C. Dept., Scotland Yard. Message begins “Check bullets that killed Crew and the two police officers, Endfield Hotel. Owner of Mauser pistol concerned is Jan - I’d better spell this - S-z-y-m-o-n-w-y-c-z.” Got it?’ He spelt the name again. ‘Message continues. “This man with two companions stayed at Endfield. Inquiries should show these three also stayed with Crew for three days. Don’t, repeat don’t, connect me with either shooting. Corridon.” Have you got all that? Yes, read it back,’ He listened, grunted and said, ‘fine. Get it off, girlie,’ and hung up.

As he was about to turn away from the window a movement outside in the dark courtyard attracted his attention, and he drew back, watchful and alert. He made out four or five figures moving silently across the courtyard towards Holroyd’s bungalow, and caught the glint of steel buttons. Instantly he spun round and ran swiftly across the studio to the door.

‘Ann!’ he whispered urgently. ‘Where are you?’

She came scurrying out of the darkness, colliding with him in the doorway. He steadied her.

‘What is it?’ she asked. ‘I’ve nearly finished—’

‘The police are outside. Leave everything. Is there a way out the back?’

‘Yes. It’s down here. Follow me.’ There was no hesitation, only excitement in her voice, and she caught hold of his hand and moved quickly forward into the darkness.

‘Wait,’ he said when she paused at die end of the passage.

‘Let’s get this straight. Where does this lead to?’

‘The garage, then through a gateway to Riley Street, on to King’s Road.’

‘Right. Keep close to me. If they spot us, throw yourself on the ground. They’ll be armed this time. Do you understand?’

‘Yes.’

Cautiously he opened the back door and peered into the darkness. As he did so there came the sound of gunfire: three sharp reports that shattered the silence.

‘That’s Jan,’ he whispered. ‘Here, give me your hand. Come on, as quietly as you can.’

Together they edged out into the darkness. More gunfire broke out, coming from the front of Ann’s bungalow. Close by they could hear men shouting.

‘Come on,’ Corridon said, and moved swiftly and silently through the gateway into the dimly lit Riley Street. He tightened his grip on Ann’s hand. ‘They may have cordoned off this road. If we’re stopped leave everything to me.’

They walked briskly down the street towards the bright lights of King’s Road. Halfway down the dark road, Corridon caught sight of a solitary policeman. He didn’t pause in his stride, but hooked Ann’s arm through his and continued on his way.

‘He may or may not stop us,’ he said out of the corner of his mouth, ‘if he does, get ready to run. I can’t see any more, can you?’

She said, ‘No,’ in a voice made husky with excitement.

The policeman crossed the road and came straight towards them.

‘Just a minute,’ he called, waving to them.

‘Run when I say so,’ Corridon whispered. Then raising his voice, he said to the policeman, ‘Were you speaking to me?’ He was within reach of the policeman now and as the policeman paused and stared at him, trying to see his features, he hit him on the side of his jaw, sending him crashing to the pavement.

‘All right - run!’ he
said and gave Ann a quick push.