James Chase: Mission to Siena

“Now, sir,” Horrocks said, closing the door, “perhaps we can take this a bit further.”

“Yes,” Don said, woodenly. He was still badly shaken by Guido’s death and he would have preferred to have been left alone.

“It would help if you went over the whole story again, sir,” Horrocks said, coming over to the fire, and lowering his bulk into a chair opposite the one Don was sitting in.

“Yes, of course,” Don said. He went on to give the Inspector a detailed account of how he had met Julia, of the threatening letter and how he had come down to act as Guido’s bodyguard. “I just didn’t take the thing seriously,” he went on, staring into the fire. “I feel responsible for his death. It wasn’t until I found the telephone had been tampered with that I thought it possible we might be in for trouble. Even then it didn’t occur to me it would happen so quickly. I thought Guido would be safe with Dixon and me to guard him. I left my chauffeur outside to watch the house.”

“Where’s he jot to, then?” Horrocks asked.

“I don’t know. I’ve been out to look for him, but there’s no sign of him. I’m hoping he saw the killer and is after him.”

Horrocks grunted.

“Is that likely?”

“I think it is. I’m anxious to get home, Inspector, in case he is trying to contact me.”

“I won’t keep you much longer, sir,” Horrocks said. “I’d like to clear up one or two points. You didn’t see the killer yourself?”

“No. I left Dixon with Mr Ferenci and I went upstairs to search the house. Then the lights went out and I heard Julia-Mrs Ferenci — scream. I belted down the stairs and rushed into the lounge. It was pitch dark in there. I had told Dixon I’d call out as I came in, but I forgot to do so. He took me for an intruder and closed with me. We had quite a scrap, and I had to knock him silly before I could get free of him. By thetime I had found a flashlight, the killer had gone. I found Mr Ferenci lying before the open window. Mrs Ferenci had fainted. Then two patrolmen came in. You know the rest of it.”

Horrocks nodded.

“The killer somehow fused the lights, then opened the window. Mr Ferenci either felt the draught or else heard the window open. He went to the window. The killer was ready for him. As Mr Ferenci pulled back the curtains, the killer threw the knife.”

“How was it your men arrived like that? Did they hear Mrs Ferenci’s screams?”

“It was the messenger boy. When he left here, a man came out of the darkness and struck at him with a club. The boy was too quick for him and bolted. The man went after him, but the boy got away. The attack was so quick, the boy didn’t get much of a chance to see the man. All he can tell us is that he is tall and slimly built. As soon as the boy got clear, he dialled 999. One of our cars picked him up and brought him here. They arrived just too late.” Don rubbed his forehead.

“Have you got anything from Dixon? Did he see anything?” Horrocks shook his head.

“I’m going to talk to him now. He’s still groggy from the punch you gave him.”

Don moved irritably.

“It was entirely my fault,” he said angrily. “I told him I would call out when I returned. Naturally he went for me: he was like a wild cat.”

A constable came in.

“Beg pardon, sir. There’s a lady asking for Mr Micklem.” “That’ll be my secretary. I asked one of your men to telephone her. I want her to take care of Mrs Ferenci,” Don said, getting to his feet.

“All right, sir. While you talk to her, I’ll see how Dixon is getting on,” Horrocks said.

Don found Marian in the hall.

“This is a frightful business,” he said, going to her. “Poor Guido’s been murdered. Julia’s in a bad way. The maid’s with her now, but

I don’t think she’s much use. Will you take charge, Marian? If she’s as bad as I think she is, you’d better get the doctor.

The maid will tell you whom to get. I’ll leave you to handle it.”

“Yes, of course,” Marian said. “Where is she?”

No questions; no flap. Don never ceased to wonder at Marian’s unruffled calm. No situation ever seemed, to throw her out of her stride. He knew he couldn’t leave Julia in better hands.

“The door facing the head of the stairs.”

Marian nodded and ran up the stairs while Don went into the library where Dixon was lying on the settee with Horrocks standing over him.

“I’m sorry about this, Dixon,” Don said, going over to him. “It was entirely my fault. You put up a good show.”

“Oh no, sir, I didn’t,” Dixon said, sitting up. “I got proper wind up. I should have known it was you. The fight going out..”

“Well, never mind,” Don said. He looked at Horrocks. “Go ahead, Inspector. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“Will you tell me what happened from the time Mr Micklem left the room?” Horrocks asked, sitting by Dixon.

“Well, sir, I stood guard by the door. Mr Ferenci sat on the settee with Mrs Ferenci. All of a sudden the lights went out.

I heard Mr Ferenci jump to his feet. He said something about the window being open. Mrs Ferenci began to scream. I heard Mr Ferenci pull back the curtains. It was raining outside and dark, and I couldn’t see a thing. I just stood like a fool staring into the darkness. Then the door burst open. Mr Micklem had told me he would call out when he came in. I did remember that. I thought he was an intruder and I went for him. Then I ran into a punch that knocked me out.”

“So you didn’t see what happened to Mr Ferenci?” Horrocks asked, an exasperated note in his voice.

“No, sir, I didn’t.”

Don lifted his shoulders. They were getting nowhere, he told himself He thought again of Harry.

“Has the telephone been fixed yet?” he asked.

“Not yet,” HoiTocks said. “We can’t find where the line has been cut.”

“Then I’ll get back to my place. If my chauffeur has had any luck he’ll be trying to contact me. If I hear anything I’ll let you know.”

“I’d be glad if you would, sir.”

Nodding to Dixon, Don went into the hall and up the stairs. He knocked on Julia’s door. Marian came to the door.

“The doctor’s coming,” she told Don. “She’s still unconscious.”

“Stick with her , will you? I’m going home. There’s a chance Harry spotted the killer and he may be trying to get me.”

“I’ll stay with her.”

Leaving her, Don hurried to where he had left the Bentley and drove fast to Upper Brook Mews. As he pulled up the front door opened and Cherry appeared. Don leaned out of the car window.

“Any news from Harry?” he asked as Cherry came majestically towards him.

“He telephoned about half an hour ago, sir,” Cherry said, coming to rest by the side of the car. “He wishes you to go to Athens Street which he tells me is the second turning on the left off Old Compton Street. He said the matter was urgent.”

“Thanks,” Don said and making a U-turn he sent the Bentley shooting down the dark, deserted mews.

Athens Street turned out to be a narrow cul-de-sac , dimly lit by one street lamp.

Keeping in the shadows, Don walked quickly down the wet pavement until he was within a few yards of the high brick wall that cut the cul-de-sac off from Dean Street.

He spotted Harry standing in the dark shadows of an archway and he moved into the darkness and joined him.

“Phew! I’m glad to see you, sir,” Harry said feelingly. “I’ve been trying to get you for the past hour. I kept popping over to the phone box, but I couldn’t get Mr Ferenci’s number.”

“What’s going on here?” Don asked.

“I spotted a bloke coming from Mr Ferenci’s house and I followed him. He’s holed up in that house across the way.”