Warren was quite aware that Dan Parker had just reached home. He had not wanted to see Parker at the garage where he worked so he had waited in his car and followed him home. Mrs Parker ushered him into the front room. Ill tell him youre here, she said.
Warren looked about the small room; at the three pottery ducks on the wall, at the photographs of the children on the sideboard and the other photograph of a much younger Dan Parker in uniform. He did not have to wait long. Parker came into the room and held out his hand. This is a pleasure we didnt expect, Doctor. Warren, grasping the hand, felt the hardness of callouses. I was only sayin to Sally the other day that its a pity we dont see more of you.
Perhaps its just as well, said Warren ruefully. Im afraid I put the breeze up Mrs Parker just now.
Aye, said Parker soberly. I know what you mean. But wed still like to see you, sociable like. The warm tones of the Lancastrian were still heard, although Parker had lived in London for many years. Sit down, Doctor; Sallyll be bringing in tea any minute.
Ive come to see you on a matter of business.
Oh, aye, said Parker comfortably. Well get down to it after tea, then, shall we? Sally has to go out, anyway; her younger sisters a bit under the weather, so Sallys doin a bit o baby-sitting.
Im sorry to hear that, said Warren. Hows Jimmy these days?
Hes all right now, said Parker. You straightened him out, Doctor. You put the fear o God into him an I keep it there.
I wouldnt be too hard on him.
Just hard enough, said Parker uncompromisingly. Hell not get on that lark again. He sighed. I dont know what kids are comin to these days. It werent like that when I were a lad. If Id a done what young Jimmy did, me father would a laid into me that hard with his strap. He had a heavy hand, had me dad. He shook his head. But it wouldnt a entered our heads.
Warren listened to this age-old plaint of the parents without a trace of a smile. Yes, he agreed gravely. Things have changed.
Sally Parker brought in the tea a cut down, southern version of the traditional northern high tea. She pressed homemade cakes and scones on Warren, and insisted on refilling his cup. Warren studied Parker unobtrusively and tried to figure out how to broach the delicate subject in such a way as to ensure the greatest co-operation.
Daniel Parker was a man of forty. He had joined the Navy during the last few months of the war and had elected to make a career of it. In the peacetime Navy he had forged ahead in his stubborn way despite the inevitably slow rate of promotion. He had fought in Korean waters during that war and had come out of it a petty officer with the heady prospect of getting commissioned rank. But in 1962 a torpedo got loose and rolled on his leg, and that was the end of his naval career.
He had come out of the Navy with one leg permanently shortened, a disability pension and no job. The last did not worry him because he knew he was good with his hands. Since 1963 he had been working as a mechanic in a garage, and Warren thought his employer was damned lucky.
Mrs Parker looked at her watch and made an exclamation. Oh, Ill be late. Youll have to excuse me, Doctor.
Thats all right, Mrs Parker, said Warren, rising.
You get off, lass, said Parker. Ill see to the dishes, an the doctor an me will have a quiet chat. Mrs Parker left, and Parker produced a stubby pipe which he proceeded to fill. You said you wanted to see me on business, Doctor. He looked up in a puzzled way, and then smiled. Maybe youll be wantin a new car.
No, said Warren. How are things at the garage, Dan?
Parker shrugged. Same as ever. Gets a bit monotonous at times but Im doin an interestin job now on a Mini-Cooper. He smiled slowly. Most o the time Im dealin wi the troubles o maiden ladies. I had one come in the other day said the car was usin too much petrol. I tested it an there was nothin wrong, so I gave it back. But she was back in no time at all wi the same trouble.
He struck a match. I still found nothin wrong, so I said to her, Miss Hampton, I want to drive around a bit with you just for a final check, so off we went. The first thing she did was to pull out the choke an hang her bag on it said she thought that was what it was for. He shook his head in mild disgust.
Warren laughed. Youre a long way from the Navy, Dan.
Aye, thats a fact, said Parker, a little morosely. I still miss it, you know. But what can a man do? Absently, he stroked his bad leg. Still, I daresay its better for Sally an the kids even though she never minded me bein away.
What do you miss about it, Dan?
Parker puffed at his pipe contemplatively. Hard to say. I think I miss the chance o handling fine machinery. This patching up o production cars doesnt stretch a man thats why I like to get something different, like this Mini-Cooper Im workin on now. By the time Im finished wi it Issigonis wouldnt recognize it.
Warren said carefully, Supposing you were given the chance of handling naval equipment again. Would you take it?
Parker took the pipe out of his mouth. What are you gettin at, Doctor?
I want a man who knows all about torpedoes, Warren said bluntly.
Parker blinked. I know as much as anyone, I reckon, but I dont see His voice tailed off and he looked at Warren in a baffled way.
Let me put it this way. Supposing I wanted to smuggle something comparatively light and very valuable into a country that has a seaboard. Could it be done by torpedo?
Parker scratched his head. It never occurred to me, he said, and grinned. But its a bloody good idea. What are you thinkin o doin the Excise with? Swiss watches?
What about heroin? asked Warren quietly.
Parker went rigid and stared at Warren as though he had suddenly sprouted horns and a tail. The pipe fell from his fingers to lie unregarded as he said, Are you serious? Id a never believed it.
Its all right, Dan, said Warren. Im serious, but not in the way you mean. But could it be done?
There was a long moment before Parker groped for his pipe. It could be done all right, he said. The old Mark XI carried a warhead of over seven hundred pounds. You could pack a hell of a lot o heroin in there.
And the range?
Maximum five thousand, five hundred yards if you preheat the batteries, said Parker promptly.
Damn! said Warren disappointedly. Thats not enough. You said batteries. Is this an electric torpedo?
Aye. Ideal for smugglin it is. No bubbles, you see.
But not nearly enough range, said Warren despondently. It was a good idea while it lasted.
Whats your problem? asked Parker, striking a match.
I was thinking of a ship cruising outside the territorial waters of the United States and firing a torpedo inshore. Thats twelve miles over twenty-one thousand yards.
Thats a long way, said Parker, puffing at his pipe. It did not ignite and he had to strike another match and it was some time before he got the pipe glowing to his satisfaction. But maybe it could be done.
Warren ceased to droop and looked up alertly. It could?
The Mark XI came out in 1944 an things have changed since then, said Parker thoughtfully. He looked up. Where would you be gettin a torpedo, anyway?
I havent gone into that yet, said Warren. But it shouldnt be too difficult. Theres an American in Switzerland who has enough war surplus arms to outfit the British forces. He should have torpedoes.
Then theyd be Mark XIs, said Parker. Or the German equivalent. I doubt if anythin more modern has got on the war surplus market yet. He pursed his lips. Its an interestin problem. You see, the Mark XI had lead-acid batteries fifty-two of em. But things have changed since the war an you can get better batteries now. What Id do would be to rip out the lead-acid batteries an replace with high-power mercury cells. He stared at the ceiling dreamily. All the circuits would need redesignin an it would be bloody expensive, but I think I could do it.
He leaned forward and tapped his pipe against the fireplace, then looked Warren firmly in the eye. But not for smugglin dope.
Its all right, Dan; I havent switched tracks. Warren rubbed his chin. I want you to work with me on a job. It will pay twice as much as youre getting at the garage, and therell be a big bonus when youve finished. And if you dont want to go back to the garage therell be a guaranteed steady job for as long as you want it.
Parker blew a long plume of smoke. Theres a queer smell to this one, Doctor. It sounds illegal to me.
Its not illegal, said Warren quickly. But it could be dangerous.
Parker pondered. How long would it take?
I dont know. Might be three months might be six. It wouldnt be in England, either, youd be going out to the Middle East.
And it could be dangerous. What sort o danger?
Warren decided to be honest. Well, if you put a foot wrong you could get yourself shot.
Parker laid down his pipe in the hearth. Youre askin a bloody lot, arent you? I have a wife an three kids an here you come wi a funny proposition that stinks to high heaven an you tell me I could get shot. Why come to me, anyway?
I need a good torpedo man and youre the only one I know. A slight smile touched Warrens lips. Its not the most crowded trade in the world.
Parker nodded his agreement. No, its not. I dont want to crack meself up, but I cant think of another man who can do what you want. It ud be a really bobby-dazzler of a job, though wouldnt it? Pushin the old Mark XI out to over twenty thousand yards just think of it.
Warren held his breath as he watched Parker struggle against temptation, then he sighed as Parker shook his head and said, No, I couldnt do it. What would Sally say?
I know its a dangerous job, Dan.
Im not worried about that not for meself. I could have got killed in Korea. Its just that well, Ive not much insurance, an what would she do with three kids if anythin happened to me?
Warren said, Ill tell you this much, Dan. I dont think the worst will happen, but if it does Ill see that Sally gets a life pension equal to what youre getting now. No strings attached and you can have it in writing.
Youre pretty free wi your money or is it your money? asked Parker shrewdly.
It doesnt matter where it comes from. Its in a good cause.
Parker sighed. Id trust you that far. I know youd never be on the wrong side. When is this lark startin?
I dont know, said Warren. It might not even start at all. I havent made up my mind yet. But if we do get going it will be next month.
Parker chewed the stem of his pipe, apparently unaware it had gone out. At last he looked up, bright-eyed. All right, Ill do it. Sallyll give me hell, I expect. He grinned. Best not to tell her, Doctor. Ill cook up a yarn for her. He scratched his head. I must see me old Navy mates an see if I can get hold of a service manual for the Mark XI there ought to be some still knockin around. Ill need that if Im goin to redesign the circuits.
Do that, said Warren. Id better tell you what its all about.
No! said Parker. Ive got the general drift. If this is goin to be dangerous then the less I know the better for you. When the time comes you tell me what to do an Ill do it if I can.
Warren asked sharply, Any chance of failure?
Could be but if I get all I ask for then I think it can be done. The Mark XIs a nice bit o machinery it shouldnt be too hard to make it do the impossible. He grinned. What made you think o goin about it this way? Tired of treatin new addicts?
Something like that, said Warren.
He left Parker buzzing happily to himself about batteries and circuits and with a caution that this was not a firm commitment. But he knew that in spite of his insistence that the arrangements were purely tentative the commitment was hardening.
IV
He telephoned Andrew Tozier. Can I call on you for some support tonight, Andy?
Sure. Doc; moral or muscular?
Maybe a bit of both. Ill see you at the Howard Club know where that is?
I know, said Tozier. You could choose a better place to lose your money, Doc; its as crooked as a dogs hind leg.
Im gambling, Andy, said Warren. But not with money. Stick in the background, will you? Ill call on you if I need you. Ill be there at ten oclock.
I get the picture; you just want some insurance.
Thats it, said Warren, and rang off.
The Howard Club was in Kensington, discreetly camouflaged in one of the old Victorian terraced houses. Unlike the Soho clubs, there were no flashing neon signs proclaiming blackjack and roulette because this was no cheap operation. There were no half-crown chips to be bought in the Howard Club.
Just after ten oclock Warren strolled through the gambling rooms towards the bar. He was coolly aware of the professional interest aroused by his visit; the doorkeeper had picked up an internal telephone as he walked in and the news would be quick in reaching the higher echelons. He watched the roulette for a moment, and thought sardonically, If I were James Bond Id be in there making a killing.
At the bar he ordered a Scotch and when the barman placed it before him a flat American voice said, That will be on the house, Dr Warren.
Warren turned to find John Follet, the manager of the club, standing behind him. What are you doing so far west? asked Follet, If youre looking for any of your lost sheep you wont find them here. We dont like them.
Warren understood very well that he was being warned. It had happened before that some of his patients had tried to make a quick fortune to feed the habit. They had not succeeded, of course, and things had got out of hand, ending in a brawl. The management of the Howard Club did not like brawls they lowered the plushy tone of the place and word had been passed to Warren to keep his boys in line.