Seawitch. Alistair MacLean

better level with us,’ Mitchell said.

      ‘I’ve told you all I know. The rest is surmise. Calling the State Department means that there are foreign countries involved. There are Soviet naval vessels in the Caribbean at present. The State Department smell an international incident or worse.’

      ‘What do you want us to do?’

      ‘Not much. Just to find out Lord Worth’s intended movements for the next day or two.’

      Mitchell said: ‘And if we refuse? We have our licences rescinded?’

      ‘I am not a corrupt police chief. Just forget that you ever saw me. But I thought you might care enough about Lord Worth to help protect him against himself or the consequences of any rash action he might take. I thought you might care even more about the reactions of his two daughters if anything were to happen to their father.’

      Mitchell stood up, jerked a thumb. ‘The front door. You know too damn much.’

      ‘Sit down.’ A sudden chill asperity. ‘Don’t be foolish. Of course it’s my job to know too damn much. But apart from Lord Worth and his family I thought you might have some little concern for your country’s welfare.’

      Roomer said: ‘Isn’t that pitching it a little high?’

      ‘Very possibly. But it is the policy of both the State Department and the FBI not to take any chances.’

      Roomer said: ‘You’re putting us in a damned awkward situation.’

      ‘Don’t think I don’t appreciate that. Horns of a dilemma, torn loyalties, biting the hand that feeds you, all that sort of thing. I know I’ve put you in a spot and apologize for it, but I’m afraid you’ll have to resolve that particular dilemma yourselves.’

      Mitchell said: ‘Thank you for dropping this little problem in our laps. What do you expect us to do? Go to Lord Worth, ask him why he’s been hollering to the State Department, ask him what he’s up to and what his immediate plans are?’

      Bentley smiled. ‘Nothing so crude. You have a remarkable reputation – except, of course, in the police department – of being, in that vulgar phrase, a couple of classy operators. The approach is up to you.’ He stood. ‘Keep that card and let me know when you find out anything. How long would that take, do you think?’

      Roomer said: ‘A couple of hours.’

      ‘A couple of hours?’ Even Bentley seemed momentarily taken aback. ‘You don’t, then, require an invitation to visit the baronial mansion?’

      ‘No.’

      ‘Millionaires do.’

      ‘We aren’t even thousandaires.’

      ‘It makes a difference. Well, thank you very much, gentlemen. Good night.’

      After Bentley’s departure the two men sat for a couple of minutes in silence, then Mitchell said: ‘We play it both ways?’

      ‘We play it every way.’ Roomer reached for a phone, dialled a number and asked for Lord Worth. He had to identify himself before he was put through – Lord Worth was a man who respected his privacy.

      Roomer said: ‘Lord Worth? Mitchell and Roomer here. Something to discuss with you, sir, which may or may not be of urgency and importance. We would prefer not to discuss it over the phone.’ He paused, listened for a few moments, murmured a thank you and hung up.

      ‘He’ll see us right away. Park the car in the lane. Side door. Study. Says the girls have gone upstairs.’

      ‘Think our friend Bentley will already have our phone tapped?’

      ‘Not worth his FBI salt if he hasn’t.’

      Five minutes later, car parked in the lane, they were making their way through the trees to the side door. Their progress was observed with interest by Marina, standing by the window in her upstairs bedroom. She looked thoughtful for a moment, then turned and unhurriedly left the room.

      Lord Worth welcomed the two men in his study and securely closed the padded door behind them. He swung open the doors of a concealed bar and poured three brandies. There were times when one rang for Jenkins and there were times when one didn’t. He lifted his glass.

      ‘Health. An unexpected pleasure.’

      ‘It’s no pleasure for us,’ Roomer said gloomily.

      ‘Then you haven’t come to ask me for my daughters’ hands in marriage?’

      ‘No, sir.’ Mitchell said. ‘No such luck. John here is better at explaining these things.’

      ‘What things?’

      ‘We’ve just had a visit from a senior FBI agent.’ Roomer handed over Bentley’s card. ‘There’s a number on the back that we’re to ring when we’ve extracted some information from you.’

      ‘How very interesting.’ There was a long pause then Lord Worth looked at each man in turn. ‘What kind of information?’

      ‘In Bentley’s words, you have been making “loud noises” to the State Department. According to them, you seem to think that the Seawitch is under threat. They want to know where you got this secret information, and what your proposed movements are.’

      ‘Why didn’t the FBI come directly to me?’

      ‘Because you wouldn’t have told them any more than you told the State Department. If, that is to say, you’d even let them over the threshold of your house. But they know – Bentley told us this – that we come across here now and again, so I suppose they figured you’d be less off your guard with us.’

      ‘So Bentley figures that you’d craftily wring some careless talk from me without my being aware that I was talking carelessly.’

      ‘Something like that.’

      ‘But doesn’t this put you in a somewhat invidious position?’

      ‘Not really.’

      ‘But you’re supposed to uphold the law, no?’

      ‘Yes.’ Mitchell spoke with some feeling. ‘But not organized law. Or have you forgotten, Lord Worth, that we’re a couple of ex-cops because we wouldn’t go along with your so-called organized law? Our only responsibility is to our clients.’

      ‘I’m not your client.’

      ‘No.’

      ‘Would you like me to be your client?’

      Roomer said: ‘What on earth for?’

      ‘It’s never something for nothing in this world, John. Services have to be rewarded.’

      ‘Failure of a mission.’ Mitchell was on his feet. ‘It was kind of you to see us, Lord Worth.’

      ‘I apologize.’ Lord Worth sounded genuinely contrite. ‘I’m afraid I rather stepped out of line there.’ He paused ruminatively, then smiled. ‘Just trying to recall when last I apologized to anybody. I seem to have a short memory. Bless my lovely daughters. Information for our friends of the FBI? First, I received my information in context of several anonymous threats – telephone calls – on the lives of my daughters. A double-barrelled threat, if you will – against the girls if I didn’t stop the flow of oil – as they pointed out I can’t hide them for ever and there’s nothing one can do against a sniper’s bullet – and if I were too difficult they’d have the Seawitch blown out of the water. As for my future movements. I’m going out to the Seawitch tomorrow afternoon and will remain there for twenty-four hours, perhaps forty-eight.’

      Roomer said: ‘Any truth in either of those two statements?’

      ‘Don’t be preposterous. Of course not. I am going out to the rig – but before dawn. I don’t want those beady-eyed bandits watching