Samuel Edwards - Neptune

‘Positive!’ Porter became impersonal. ‘This is-a job, nothing more. And the results are important. Put her through a psychological meat-grinder, but leave the body beautiful intact.’

‘You’re spoiling my fun.’

‘Can you manage it?’ Porter demanded.

‘Reluctantly, yes. Later, I hope to find out whether you have an ulterior motive for being so kind to the girl.’

‘Oh, I have my reason.’

‘Aha!’ Adrienne glared at him.

‘The knight in the customary shining armour will ride to her rescue on his white charger.’

‘Why the rush?’

‘Because,’ Porter said, ‘anyone with technological expertise will take one look at the blueprints and know we’re thumbing our noses at them. We need to get the jump on our opponents, whoever they may be.’

‘Fair enough,’ Adrienne said. ‘But can the fearless knight persuade the lady to open her rosebud lips and pour out her little heart to him?’

‘She isn’t in this business out of patriotism, and I don’t think she particularly craves adventure. She’d love to be a film star, but I’ve seen no sign that she has any great yearning for fame. The two things she appears to love most in this world are sex and money, although not necessarily in that order. If you put her in an amenable mood I may be able to do the rest.’

‘I’ll try. I brought the Deacon with me, of course, not knowing what had come up, so he’ll wait here with me.’ She went to the door. ‘Blackman!’

The pale agent came to her.

‘Pick up the Wing woman and bring her here. If she’s on the beach in a bathing suit, so much the better. Give her no chance to change.’

‘And if she asks for her shoulderbag,’ Porter added, ‘make certain you remove that cute little automatic before you give it to her.’

‘But she’s to bring nothing else,’ Adrienne said. ‘Blindfold her, handcuff her, and if necessary gag her. You needn’t be too gentle, and give her the silent treatment in the car. Take as many men with you as you need to do the job efficiently and quickly. But don’t hurt her, and above all, don’t bruise her.’

Blackman’s mouth was set in a thin line as he left, and they knew this was one assignment he would not bungle.

‘I think I’ll leave,’ Porter said.

Adrienne nodded, and it was evident she understood. Under the best of circumstances no senior field agent enjoyed the utilization of psychological terror and physical force, and regardless of his private opinion of the Wing girl, he had been intimate with her.

The hours ahead would not be pleasant for anyone concerned.

The little room on the top floor of the rented house was empty except for two straight-backed chairs, the walls were bare and so was the wooden floor. Adrienne Howard entered, carrying an ashtray, and a moment later a blindfolded and handcuffed Nancy Wing, still clad in a bikini, was led into the chamber. At a signal from Adrienne the bonds were removed, and the escort silently departed.

The two women looked at each other, their faces impassive, and finally Adrienne smiled. ‘Make yourself comfortable, dear,’ she said, and waved towards the unoccupied chair, which faced her.

Nancy sat.

Adrienne offered her a cigarette and a light.

Nancy exhaled in a thin stream, and managed to appear bored.

Adrienne placed the ashtray on the floor between them. ‘I hope we’re going to have a heart to heart chat. If you’ll cooperate, you’ll have time for a swim before dinner.’

Nancy broke her silence. ‘I can’t imagine anything I know that would be of interest to you, whoever you are.’

‘Oh., I happen to have a deep personal interest in you, dear. Far more personal than you could ever guess.’

The prisoner raised a thin eyebrow.

‘You see, you stole my man.’

‘What man?’

‘Porter.’

A malicious light appeared in Nancy’s eyes. ‘I didn’t know he had another girl, but he couldn’t have been all that involved. He didn’t offer any resistance.’

‘I don’t believe any man does, especially with you. I’ll concede that you’re exceptionally handsome, and I’d hate to see that beautiful body disfigured.’

Nancy smiled. ‘Do you always kidnap girls who steal your boyfriends?’

‘This is the very first time,’ Adrienne said. ‘I do hope you believe me. If we’re going to get along together we’ll have to establish a basis of mutual trust.’

‘Maybe you’ve come to the wrong person,’ Nancy said. ‘Maybe you should have kidnapped Porter so you could persuade him to leave me.’

Adrienne’s sigh was exaggerated. ‘We’ll get nowhere if you misunderstand, dear. I’ve merely explained my personal interest in you, so you’ll know why I’m not particularly patient, kind, or gentle. I also have a deep professional interest in you.’

‘I have no profession other than that of actress.’

‘Who are your employers?’

‘I’m not under contract to any studio. I’m what’s known as a free-lance artist.’

‘Enough,’ Adrienne said. ‘We know you taped a telephone conversation of Porter’s, and photographed some documents he carried in his briefcase. This morning you passed film and tape to a messenger at the shopping centre. Strange activities for an actress.’

Nancy adjusted a tie at the side of her bikini bottom. ‘If Porter is so concerned about his property, why doesn’t he ask me about it himself?’

‘Porter doesn’t even know we’ve taken you into custody,’ Adrienne said. ‘When a man loses his head over a woman he loses his value to his own employers. First we’ll dig the truth out of you, and then we’ll attend to Porter.’

For the first time the Eurasian girl showed a trace of uneasiness, but she quickly recovered her aplomb. ‘You mean Porter refuses to co-operate with you.’

Adrienne shrugged, and appeared to have been placed on the defensive.

‘That means you don’t really know anything. You’re guessing, and you want me to confirm your guesses.’

‘You ought to know,’ Adrienne said, ‘that in this business we never guess.’

‘As I said before, I work in show business.’

‘Will you or will you not tell me the truth about this morning?’

‘I’d be glad to make up a story if that would satisfy you,’ Nancy said, ‘but I’m afraid it wouldn’t. Because I have nothing to tell. You’ve been reading too many suspense novels. Or perhaps you saw my last film. It was all about spies.’

‘I’m afraid it may be the very last film you’ll ever make, dear,’ Adrienne said, looking regretful. ‘It does seem a shame to spoil such a pretty face and marvellous body. I’m not all that unattractive myself, so I know what appearance means to a woman.’

Nancy made no reply, but seemed somewhat shaken.

‘Perhaps you’d like a last cigarette, and a chance to change your mind.’ Adrienne lighted a cigarette and held it out to her.

The prisoner started to refuse, realized the gesture would serve no useful purpose and accepted.

Adrienne sat back in her chair, saying nothing and waiting, a faint smile on her lips.

Nancy looked around the room for the first time. She saw a single, small window, realized there was only one entrance and knew there had to be armed guards on the far side of the door. Obviously there was little opportunity to escape, and in her present state of undress the task would be made still more difficult, eVen if she managed to get away.

Adrienne took the butt from her and snuffed it out. ‘Very well, dear. Will you talk?’

The Eurasian girl remained silent.

Adrienne went to the door, opened it and beckoned.

The Deacon came into the room, wearing a mask. He halted, flexed his left hand and stared at it until the prisoner looked, too. Scars marked the tips of his fingers, where no nails grew.