Алистер Маклин - Seawitch

Lord Worth didn’t enlighten them as to the reason why his brow was damp.

‘And then, of course, you came along in the Rolls. One of the very best sequences we got on our infra-red ciné camera last night.’ Roomer choked, but the peculiar coughing sound had no effect on Lord Worth, who was now perspiring freely. That Lord Worth believed Mitchell, Roomer did not for a moment doubt: everything that Mitchell had said, even the slight embellishments, Lord Worth knew or believed to be true, so he had no reason to doubt the truth of the ciné camera fiction.

‘We actually debated phoning the nearest army HQ and have them send along some armoured cars and a trailered tank. Even your murderous thugs would have stood no chance. We thought of going down the road, blocking the Rolls and holding you until the army arrived – it was perfectly obvious that the helicopters had no intention of leaving until you turned up. Once captured, God knows how many of them – especially those who had already served prison terms – would have jumped at the chance of turning State’s evidence and incriminating you. It’s quite true, you know – there is no honour among thieves.’ If Lord Worth had any objection to being categorized as a thief it didn’t register in his face. ‘But after the standard bit of soul-searching we decided against it.’

‘Why, in God’s name?’

‘So you admit it.’ Mitchell sighed. ‘Why couldn’t you do that at the beginning and save me all this trouble?’

‘Why?’ Lord Worth repeated his question.

It was Roomer who answered. ‘Partly because even though you’re a confessed law-breaker, we still have a regard for you. But it’s chiefly because we didn’t want to see your daughters confronted with the unedifying spectacle of seeing their father behind bars. In hindsight, of course, we’re extremely glad we didn’t. In comparison with the kidnapping of your daughters, your own ventures outside the law fade into something that is comparatively a peccadillo.’

Mitchell started the motor again and said: ‘It is understood that there will be no more such peccadilloes again. It is also understood that there will be no more silly talk as to whether we take the law into our own hands or not.’

Lord Worth lay back in his study armchair. His second brandy tasted just as good as his first – it seemed to be his day for brandies. He hadn’t spoken a word for the rest of the trip which, fortunately, had been mercifully short, for Lord Worth had felt urgently in need of restoratives. Not for the first time he found himself silently blessing his kidnapped daughters.

He cleared his throat and said: ‘I assume you are still willing to come out to the rig with me?’

Mitchell contemplated his glass. ‘We never expressed our intentions one way or another about that. But I suppose someone has to look after you and your daughters.’

Lord Worth frowned. There had, he felt, been more than a subtle change in their relationships. Perhaps the establishment of an employer-employee status would help redress the balance. He said: ‘I feel it’s time we put your co-operation on a business-like footing. I propose to retain you in your professional capacities as investigators, in other words to become your client. I shall not quibble at your demanded fees.’ He had no sooner finished than he realized that he had made a mistake.

Roomer’s voice was coldly unenthusiastic. ‘Money doesn’t buy everything, Lord Worth. Particularly, it doesn’t buy us. What you are proposing is that you establish a moral ascendancy on the basis of the man who pays the piper calls the tune. We have no intention of being shackled, of having our freedom of action curtailed. And as to the question of fees and your “sky’s-the-limit” inference, the hell with your fees. How often do you have to be told that we don’t barter money for your daughters’ lives?’

‘Hear, hear,’ Mitchell said. ‘Couldn’t have put it better myself.’

Lord Worth didn’t even bother frowning. The change in relationship, he reflected sadly, had been even greater than he had realized. ‘As you will. One assumes that you will be suitably disguised?’

Mitchell said: ‘Why?’

Lord Worth was impatient. ‘You said you saw some ex-convicts boarding the helicopter. People you recognized. They’ll surely recognize you?’

‘We never saw any of them before in our lives.’

Lord Worth was properly shocked. ‘But you told me–’

‘You told us big black lies. What’s a little white lie? Let’s go aboard as – say – your technological advisers. Geologists, seismologists – it’s all the same to us, we know nothing about geology or seismology. All we need are a couple of well-cut business suits, panamas, horn-rimmed glasses with plain lenses – for the studious look – and briefcases.’ He paused. ‘And we’ll also need a doctor, with full medical kit and a large supply of bandages.’

‘A doctor?’

‘For extracting bullets, sewing up gunshot wounds. Or are you so naïve as to believe that there will be no shot fired in anger aboard the Seawitch?’

‘I abhor violence.’

‘Sure. That’s why you sent twenty heavily-armed thugs out to the Seawitch during the night? Fine, so you abhor violence. Others welcome it. Can you lay hands on such a doctor?’

‘Dozens of them. The average doctor hereabouts rates his scanning of X-rays a very poor second to the scanning of his bank balances. I know the man. Greenshaw. After seven years in Vietnam, he should fit your bill.’

Roomer said: ‘And ask him to bring along two spare white lab-coats.’

‘Why?’ Mitchell said.

‘Want to look scientific, don’t you?’

Lord Worth picked up the phone, made the arrangements, replaced the receiver and said: ‘You must excuse me. I have some private calls to make from the radio room.’ Lord Worth’s sole reason for returning to his house was to contact his inside man, Corral, and have him, without incriminating himself, inform Benson, who had hosted the Lake Tahoe meeting, that the Government intended to blast out of the water any foreign naval ships that approached the Seawitch. An exaggeration but, Lord Worth thought, a pardonable one. Despite the Secretary’s promise, Lord Worth placed more faith in his direct approach.

Mitchell said: ‘Which one of us do you want to go with you?’

‘What do you mean? “Private”, I said.’ His face darkened in anger. ‘Am I to be ordered around in my own house, supervised as if I’m an irresponsible child?’

‘You behaved responsibly last night? Look, Lord Worth, if you don’t want either of us around, then it’s obvious you want to say something that you don’t want us to hear.’ Mitchell gave him a speculative look. ‘I don’t like that. You’re either up to something shady if you like, or it’s a vote of no confidence in us.’

‘It’s a personal and highly important business call. I don’t see why you should be privy to my business affairs.’

Roomer said: ‘I agree. But it so happens that we don’t think that it is a business call, that business would be the last thing in your mind at such a time.’ Both Mitchell and Roomer stood up. ‘Give our regards to the girls – if you ever find them.’

‘Blackmail! Damned blackmail!’ Lord Worth rapidly weighed the importance of his call to Corral compared to the importance of having Mitchell and Roomer around. It took all of two seconds to make up his mind, and Corral was clear out of sight at the winning post. He was sure that the two men were bluffing, but there was no way he could call their bluff, for that was the one sure way of provoking a genuine walk-out.

Lord Worth put on his stony face. ‘I suppose I have no option other than to accede to your threats. I suggest you go and pack your bags and I’ll pick you up in the Rolls.’