Slowly she opened her mouth to speak, her expression changing to one of disbelief. `Philip?' She spoke his name as a question, as if unable to trust what she saw.
He did his best to give her a reassuring smile, and nodded dumbly.
`I've been asleep,' she faltered and swayed against his arm. `I remember now, they drugged me!' Her eyes widened as her memory came flooding back, and her body began to tremble violently. `Philip! Tell me it's not true about-about Nils?'
He tried to meet her penetrating gaze, but the desperate brightness of the blue eyes forced him to look away, his heart sick with fear for her, and disgust and hatred at the men who had told her.
She suddenly jerked away from his arms and seized the
front of his shirt in her hands, forcing him to look at her. `Philip, please, I have to know!' He could feel her nails biting into his skin.
`Yes, it's true.' He tried to find the right words. `I found him when I was trying to get to you.' He hurried on, wanting her to be rid of her fears: `It was very sudden, I
believe. He-he felt no pain.'
Still she said nothing but stood straight and still, her eyes on his face, her arms down at her sides.
`Why did it happen?' Her voice, when it came, was thin and small. `Why did they do such a thing to him? Why?'
He took half a step towards her, but she shook her head quickly, the loose hair swinging across one shoulder.
`Tell me, can you, Philip? How did all this happen to us?' Her voice rose slightly, and it was obvious that she was only holding on to herself with a great effort. `They killed him. Those men killed him.' It was as if she was trying to explain it to her inner self. `And they are going to kill us too!'
Her words, though spoken so quietly, and almost drowned by the hiss and roar of the rain, burned into his mind like hot irons. She didn't seem aware of his presence, and when she spoke again her voice was almost puzzled, and only by watching her mouth could he be certain of the words.
`And we were so,' she faltered, `so very happy.'
It was then, as she looked up, that he saw the tears beginning to pour unrestrainedly and unchecked down her face. `They are going to kill us, aren't they?' He caught her as she fell, the pent-up misery and terror making her sobs shake and wrench her body, so that he had to hold on to her with a fierceness, which filled him with a rising and consuming determination, as well as new uncontrollable hatred for those who had brought this horror to the one person he had ever wanted to love and protect.
A sudden rumble of thunder directly overhead made fresh feeling of urgency flood through him. If only he knew what was happening and what Mason had said to Karen. He rested his cheek against her hair, trying to ease the pain of her grief.
`Listen to me, Karen,' he said softly, `and try to remember, no matter what happens, everything will be all right. And remember too that I love you very much.' He stopped, and beneath his grasp he felt the sobs becoming
quieter, and more subdued.
`Right now I have to think of a way to get us out of here, so that we can get help. If it doesn't hurt you too much, could you tell me what you've heard? There may not be much time,' he ended gently.
She slowly lifted her head and he was shocked by the look of despair on her tear-stained face.
`It's no use, Philip, it's no use,' she repeated. `That dreadful man,' she faltered, `Cooper, told me it was all arranged. That we were going to be taken care of.' Her lip trembled. `They are going to make it look as if you killed Nils. He was horrible, Philip, he kept boasting, but all the time I hoped, I prayed, that he was not telling the truth.'
The swine, he thought, the dirty, rotten, little. swine.
'He's full of bluff,' he answered. `We'll fix him, if only we can get away from here!'
If only Lang hadn't been shaken off the trail. Vivian wondered what Lang was doing now. Probably going back to the boat to wait, and hope for the best. But how long would he wait before he called in the police? And supposehe shook his head angrily. This wouldn't do.'
`Look, Karen, we must get ready. The chance may come, it has to come, and then you and I will get out of this together. Do you believe that?'
She studied him carefully. `I believe in you, Philip. I will try not to let you down when the time comes.'
She said it so simply, so trustingly, that he wanted to crush her in his arms, but he forced a grin.
`Come on then, my girl, get some clothes on, while I watch the door.'
He picked up her clothes from the floor, brushing the dust from them with his hand which, he noticed, was trembling.
She turned her back to him. `The swim-suit, Philip. Will you unzip the back for me?'
As he felt for the fastener he moved some of her hair to one side so as not to catch it in the costume, then he stopped, his eyes fixed to a livid, red bruise on her right shoulder.
`How did you get this?' His voice was strangely flat.
`That man Cooper,' she trembled, `he tried to kiss me, but when I would not let him touch me he bit my shoulder!'
He squeezed her arm, not daring to speak at that moment, and not wanting her to see his expression. Instead, he unclipped the costume and stepped away.
`All right, Karen, you get changed. We'll talk later. But not about all this.' He turned his eyes to the door. In the half light they looked like two slivers of steel.
A quick rustling of clothing behind him jolted him away from his murderous thoughts, and from the corner of his vision he saw her body pale against the black walls, and he knew that what he had to do had to be done carefully and with a cool head. There could be no second chance of escape.
As another peal of thunder rolled and echoed around the clouds Vivian paused in his second examination of the walls. The thick, decaying atmosphere of the room and the moist, stifling heat made him breathe heavily and he paused, with one arm resting on the rough, wooden planking, while he plucked his shirt free from his damp skin.
Behind him he heard Karenmove slightly and the frown of concentration on his face deepened. Without turning, he knew that she was still sitting listlessly on the edge of the bed, as she had been for the last half an hour, while he had paced watchfully around the room and beat his brain for some fresh solution, or method of escape.
`Philip?'
The suddenness of her voice made him jump. He swung round, forcing his face to soften slightly.
`It's all right, Karen. I'm just having another prowl, to see what I can find.'
`What is the time, Philip?' Her eyes still looked frightened.
'Er, about midday.' Then as the thought struck him, `Are you hungry?'
`I have not eaten since last night. But I am not hungry.'
He stared down at her helplessly. `I'll tell them to get us something,' he paused uncertainly. `You've had a badenough time as it is, without making yourself ill.'
She shrugged her shoulders, biting her lower lip. `It really doesn't matter.' Her voice sounded tired, beaten.
He reached over to her and gently lifted her chin with his hand, and when she raised her gaze to his he again marvelled at the strength she seemed to give him.
`Look here,' he began quietly, `you've been through hell.
'It's my fault and I realize now that I've been a complete fool!'
She tried to shake her head, but he held her face firmly in his hand.
`Oh yes, I have. Let's not argue about that. I'd like myself to believe that I'm a blind, trusting type of chap who's been taken in by a bunch of crooks. But I knew what I was doing and I knew it was wrong. I just didn't know that I wasn't big or clever enough to pull away from their filth when I realized just how rotten they were. There's only one thing I don't regret.' He swallowed hard. `That was getting enough mixed up with Mason and Co. to meet you.' She dropped her eyes and he hurried on, as if to purge his very soul: `I love you, Karen-you know that already. But I swear that somehow I'll get you out of this, so that you'll be able to live your life again, free from all this misery. I'll see
that Nils is avenged too.'
She took one of his hands in hers and pulled it against her cheek. `You are a fool, Philip, but not in the way you mean. You are trying to tell me that if we can escape, and right now I do not see how we can, you will help me to get settled again, and then you will go away, so that I can never see you, never feel your arms about me, and all because you think that you have been the cause of all this!'
He flushed and started to protest, but she would not listen.
`No, Philip, it is not true. Do not deceive yourself any more. I came to you in France because I knew that I loved you then. I think I knew it when you came to the house at Hampton Court. I saw that you were different, and well'-she shrugged-'here we are.'
As he struggled for an answer, she gripped his hand with a sudden fierceness.
`I am all right now, Philip. When the time comes I will not let you down. This is not the first time I have been afraid, you know. When I was a little girl I remember the shooting, and the fear of others.' She stared up at him, her eyes bright and almost defiant. `But, believe me, if I am to die here and now, I shall still be thankful for those few hours of happiness we had together before things started to go wrong.'
She reached down and picked up the beach sandals he had bought her in Ramsgate, and a brief picture flitted across his aching mind. He saw the laughing girl at his side, with her hair gleaming in the sun. Somehow he could still feel the smooth pressure of her body, as they had bathed in the warmth and happiness of their own making.
`You see?' She held them up for his inspection. `I still have them. It was wonderful, wasn't it?'
He nodded, his eyes tingling.
In one lithe movement she was in his arms, pressing her full length against him.
`Now, Philip!' Her voice was a gasp. `Kiss me hard. Just in case we do not get any more time.'
For an instant he saw the blue flame bright again in her eyes and then they were together, her mouth eagerly and desperately seeking his. He felt himself plunging into a deep, breathless wave of desire, his heart pounded wildly, and the hard pressure of her body against him seemed to sweep away the nagging feeling of despair, and he was filled with a rising flame of want which held them together, each one knowing the need of the other.
How long they clung together Vivian didn't know, but as she pulled her face breathlessly from his, a small reserve of caution sent a sharp warning to his reeling brain, and he held her gently at arm's length.
`All right, darling,' his voice was hoarse, `I think I understand now. But do have faith because we are going to get away, and we are going to be happy, always.'
She nodded, her lips slightly parted. At her throat he could see the skin moving to the quickening of her breath, and he knew that he would never live without her.
There was a rasping click as a key grated in the door, and for a brief instant he saw her eyes widen with terror, then, as he tightened his grip on her hand, she suddenly calmed, and her whole expression became one of passive watchfulness.
The door swung open, and to his surprise he saw Mason standing casually by the entrance, his eyes widening with mock astonishment.
'Oh, so you're both up and about again, eh?' A small smile played about his thin mouth.
Vivian watched him through narrowed eyes, noting that behind the front of forced indifference, Mason somehow generated a new air of tense expectancy, or was it anxiety? As if he was eager to conclude the next part of the proceedings. This, then, was to be the show-down. He saw, too, that Mason's right hand was firmly planted in his jacket pocket. A significant gesture.
`Sorry to have kept you both waiting so long, but I've had a few more details to take care of.' He paused, darting a quick glance at Karen, who was standing quietly behind Vivian. `Too bad about all this, but your uncle should have been a little more understanding and co-operative.'
Vivian felt her hand tremble in his, but her voice was firm and cold. `I think he understood you too well.'
`Well, it's all over now, I'm afraid, but there's too much at stake to b!e spoilt by your interference.'
`I supposes this is your idea of a bargain?' Vivian spoke slowly, and with difficulty, his muscles tensing beneath his
belt. `You're even a bigger swine than you were in Germany apparently.'
Mason's cheeks flushed, and he made a quick gesture with his free hand. `So you know about that, do you?' He shook his head pityingly. `You see? There's no hope for you at all, is there?'
Cooper slouched into view, shaking the rain from his jacket.
`Car's ready, boss,' he said. `Fair dropping down outside it is. Like a bloody bog!'
Mason's eyes jerked round at the interruption, and in that instant Vivian sprang forward, all the pent-up fury and suspense acting like an explosive charge behind him.
Mason emitted a half-strangled cry and pulled at his pocket, but even as the gun glinted in his hand Vivian reached him, his hands grasping him savagely by the throat. With a quick twist, he flung the twisting body against Cooper, whose expression of pop-eyed amazement changed to one of snarling rage as Mason struck him in the chest, and they both fell on to the floor in a tangled heap. Mason rolled on to his side, his voice a thin croak. `Quick, Morrie, you fool!'
From the corner of his eye Vivian saw. Morrie lumbering towards him, his face an indistinct blur. Must keep out of his reach, he thought desperately. Once in those ape-like arms, and I'm done for.
As Cooper scrabbled on the -floor, dazed and cursing, Vivian lashed out viciously with his foot, and a thrill of satisfaction ran through him as he saw him fall on his back, his mouth covered in blood. Then Morrie was on him, his huge hands groping for a hold. Vivian side-stepped out of reach and swung a blow at the craggy jaw. The shock made his arm tingle, but although the other man grunted with the pain, he shook his head and came on.
One clutching hand clawed at his shirt and he felt the cloth tear from his shoulders and then, as he tried to step back, a sickening blow caught the side of his head, making his senses reel. Before he could recover, Morrie's arms had him in a vice-like hug, pressing his spine in from behind, making him gasp for breath, and lights dance before his eyes. Slowly but surely the giant increased his grip, while Vivian struggled and twisted, his arms pinned uselessly to his sides. He could vaguely see Karen's terrified face over Morrie's shoulder, until it was blotted out by the shifting bulk as he swung Vivian round, straining to increase his hold.
His breath jerked in spurts of agonized fire as he felt his resistance ebbing, and a red mist swirled before his eyes. With one final, supreme effort, Vivian drew back his leg, and then, with his last reserve of strength, he drove his knee savagely upwards into Morrie's groin.
In one jerk the crushing grip had gone and he staggered back, gasping for breath, while Morrie rolled across the floor, doubled up in agony, emitting small, short screams, his eyes shut against the pain.
A high, cracked voice pierced Vivian's thoughts as he reeled against the wall.
`Stand still! Don't make another move, or . . .' His words were unfinished, but Vivian knew at a glance that he was beaten.
Mason stood behind the girl with one of her arms twisted cruelly lip her back, so that her body curved like a bow, her lips parted in pain. Her eyes were wide and staring sideways at the razor which Mason held against her cheek, the edge already threatening to slice the soft skin as it shook in Mason's unsteady hand.
Vivian dropped his hands to his sides and shook his head urgently, as if to show his defeat.
`All right, Mason, you win. Now let her go, for God's sake!'
He saw the look of relief flit across Mason's narrowed eyes. And he stood heavily, watching Cooper struggling to his feet, wiping the blood from his chin with his handkerchief and feeling in his mouth for the broken teeth.
`Take over!' snapped Mason and stepped quickly from behind Karen, the gun again in his grip, and the look of fear giving way to one of cruel composure. He closed the razor and tossed it to Cooper, who snatched it ang
rily.
`For once I'm glad you had that thing on you,' said Mason smoothly, `otherwise our little friends might have got away.'
`I'm sorry, Philip,' Karen's voice was shaky. `I couldn't ' Her voice ended in a scream as Cooper struck her twice across the face with his hand, leaving scarlet weals, and in a quick jerk he gripped her hair in the other hand and twisted it into a yellow knot, pulling her head hard back.
`Hold it!' barked Mason as Vivian moved forward. `No more tricks or I shall shoot!' The cold eyes left little doubt.
Cooper grinned, his face distorted by the blood stains on his chin. `What'd ya think of this, Skipper?' He ran his hand over the girl's throat and breast so that she struggled wildly, kicking out in fear and pain.
A slight scraping movement, followed by a hiss of painful breath, made Cooper shift his attention.
Morrie lumbered to his feet, his eyes red with the fires within him. He stood swaying like a tree, holding his body, and grunting loudly.
`Put your hands behind you, Vivian!' Mason's hand was steady again, the gun pointing straight and unwavering.
`Tell that swine to take his hands off her!' Vivian's voice was a sob.
`All right, Cooper, just hold her but let her be!' It was a command, and Cooper's face twisted sulkily.
`Let me handle her, boss,' he pleaded. `I'll make the little bitch snivel!'
`Drop it, and do as you're told.'
Vivian stood silent, his limbs heavy and limp, while his eyes rested on Karen, trying to tell her that he had tried and failed. He felt his wrists jerked behind him and clumsily tied with a length of cord, which was pulled so tightly that already his fingers felt numb. Morrie spun him round, his breath hot and panting in his face. The small, stony eyes glinted murderously, although the rest of his expression was again as impassive as usual. With a quick, deliberate gesture, he tore Vivian's shirt from his body and stood back, leaving him naked to the waist, then he spat into his huge hands, never taking his eyes from Vivian's face.
High Water Page 15
