Shes certain to find out, said McCready. This is too good a story to suppress the eminent Dr Meyrick capering in the lobby of the citys best hotel as naked as the day he was born and waving a gun. Impossible to keep out of the papers.
Why in hell did you do it? demanded Carey. You were bawling for the police, too.
I thought I could catch the chap, said Denison. When I didnt I thought of what Meyrick would have done the real Meyrick. If an innocent man is threatened with a gun the first thing he does is to yell for the coppers. An innocent Meyrick would be bloody outraged so I blew my top in the hotel lobby.
Still logical, muttered Carey. He raised his voice. All right; the man in the sauna. Description?
He was hairy he had a pelt like a bear.
I dont care if he was as hairy as Esau, said Carey caustically. We cant go stripping the clothes off suspects to find how hairy they are. His face, man!
Brown eyes, said Denison tiredly. Square face a bit battered. Nose on one side. Dimple in chin.
Thats the bloke who was quizzing Lyn Meyrick, said McCready.
The other man the one with the gun.
I never saw him, said Denison. The room was darkened and when I got my hands on him I found he was wearing some kind of a mask. But I He stopped on a doubtful note.
Carry on, said Carey encouragingly.
He spoke English but with an accent.
What sort of accent?
I dont know, said Denison desperately. Call it a generalized middle-European accent. The thing is that I think Ive heard the voice before.
At that, Carey proceeded to put Denison through the wringer. Fifteen minutes later Denison yelled, I tell you I dont know. He put his head in his hands. Im tired.
Carey stood up. All right; you can go to bed. Well let you sleep, but I cant answer for the local cops theyll want to see you again. Got your story ready?
Just the truth.
Id leave out that bit about the decoder you invented, advised Carey. Its a bit too much. He jerked his head at McCready. Come on, George.
They left Denison to his bed. In the lift Carey passed his hand over his face. I didnt think this job would call for so many sleepless nights.
Lets find some coffee, proposed McCready. Theres sure to be an early morning place open by now.
They left the hotel in silence and walked along Manner-heimintie. The street was quiet with only the occasional taxi and the odd cyclist on his way to an early start at work. Carey said suddenly, Denison worries me.
You mean that stuff he came out with?
What the hell else? The corners of Careys mouth turned down. And more but principally that. A man like Meyrick might design just such a contraption but where did Denison get it from?
Ive been thinking about it, said McCready. His voice was careful. Have you considered the possibility of a double shuffle?
Carey broke stride. Speak plainly.
Well, here we have a man whom we think is Denison. His past is blocked out and every time he tries to probe it he breaks into a muck sweat. You saw that.
Well?
But supposing he really is Meyrick also with the past blocked out who only thinks hes Denison. Harding said it was possible. Then anything brought out of the past in an emergency would be pure Meyrick.
Carey groaned. What a bloody roundabout to be on. He shook his head decisively. That wont wear. Iredale said he wasnt Meyrick.
No, he didnt, said McCready softly. I can quote his exact words. Iredale said, Hes not Meyrick not unless Meyrick has had plastic surgery recently.
Carey thought that out. Stop trying to confuse me. That would mean that the man we had in the hotel in Oslo for three weeks was not Meyrick that the ringer was the other way round.
He stopped dead on the pavement. Look, George; lets get one thing quite clear. He stabbed a finger back at the hotel. That man there is not Meyrick. I know Meyrick he fights with his tongue and uses sarcasm as a weapon, but if you put him in a real fight hed collapse. Denison is a quiet-spoken, civil man who, in an emergency, seems to have the instincts of a born killer. Hes the antithesis of Meyrick. Ram that into your mind and hold on to it fast.
McCready shrugged. It leaves a lot to be explained.
It will be explained. I want Giles Denison sorted out once and for all back in London. I want his life sifted day by day and minute by minute, if necessary, to find out how he knows that mathematical jargon. And I want Harding brought here tout de suite.
Hell like that, said McCready sardonically. Ill pass the word on.
They walked for another hundred yards and McCready said, Denison is quite a boy. Who else would think of handcuffs as a weapon? He chuckled. I think hes neither Meyrick nor Denison I think hes Clark Kent.
Careys jaw dropped. And who the blazes is that?
Superman, said McCready blandly.
EIGHTEEN
Denison slept, was interviewed by the police, and slept again. He got up at four, bathed and dressed, and went downstairs. Crossing the lobby he saw the receptionist stare at him, then turn and say something to the porter with a smile. Dr H. F. Meyrick was evidently the hotel celebrity.
He looked into the lounge, saw no one he knew, and then investigated the bar where he found Diana Hansen sitting at a table and reading a paperback. She looked up as he stood over her. I was wondering when youd show.
I had to get some sleep. Yesterday was a bit wearing. He sat down and picked up the ashtray to inspect its underside.
Diana laughed. No bugs I checked.
He put it down. Wheres Lyn?
Out. At his raised eyebrows she elaborated slightly. Sightseeing.
A waiter came up. Mittö otatte?
A olutta, olkaa hyvä, said Denison. He looked at Diana. And you?
Nothing for me, she said. Your Finnish is improving.
Only enough to order the necessities of life. Has Carey come to any conclusions about yesterday?
Carey isnt here, she said. Im to tell you to sit tight until he comes back.
Where is he?
Hes gone to Sweden.
Sweden! His eyes were blank. Why has he gone there?
He didnt tell me. She stood up and picked up her book. Now that Ive passed on the word Ill get about my business. Her lips quirked. Dont take any wooden saunas.
Never again, he said fervently. He bit his lip. But they might take another crack at me.
Not to worry, she said. Youre under Ian Armstrongs eye, and hes well named. Hes sitting at the bar now. Dont acknowledge him and dont move so fast he cant keep up with you.
She went away as the waiter came up with his beer. He drank it moodily and ordered another bottle. Over at the bar Armstrong was making a single beer stretch a long way. Why Sweden? What could possibly have happened there to drag Carey away? No answer came.
She went away as the waiter came up with his beer. He drank it moodily and ordered another bottle. Over at the bar Armstrong was making a single beer stretch a long way. Why Sweden? What could possibly have happened there to drag Carey away? No answer came.
He was half-way through the second bottle when Lyn entered the bar. She sat at his table and looked at his beer. You look dissipated.
He grinned at her. I feel dissipated. I was up late.
So Im told, she said unsmilingly. I heard a strange story this morning about you.
He regarded her warily and decided to riposte. And Ive heard something pretty odd about you. Why did you quarrel with Diana?
Pink spots came into her cheeks. So she told you.
She didnt say anything about it, said Denison truthfully.
Lyn flared up. Then who did if she didnt? We were alone. She tugged viciously at the strap of her bag and looked down at the table. It doesnt feel nice to be ashamed of ones own father. I never really believed anything Mother said about you, but now I can see she was telling the truth.
Calm down, he said. Have a drink. What will you have? A Coca-Cola?
Her chin came up. A dry Martini.
He signalled to the waiter, suppressing a smile, and gave the order. When the waiter had gone, she said, It was disgusting of you.
Whats so disgusting about Diana Hansen?
You know what I mean. Ive heard the jet set gets up to some queer things but, my God, I didnt expect it of you. Not my own father. Her eyes were unnaturally bright.
No, I dont know what you mean. What am I supposed to have done? he asked plaintively.
A hurt look came into her eyes. I know you went out with that woman last night because she told me so. And I know how you came back, too. You must have been disgustingly drunk to do that. Did she have any clothes on? No wonder they had to send for the police.
Oh, my God! said Denison, appalled. Lyn, it wasnt like that.
Then why is everyone talking about it? I heard it at breakfast this morning. There were some Americans at the next table you ought to have heard them. It was dirty! She broke into tears.
Denison hastily looked about the bar and then put his hand on Lyns. It wasnt like that; Ill tell you.
So he told her, leaving out everything important which would only complicate the issue. He was interrupted once by the waiter bringing the Martini, and then he bore in again to finish his story.
She dabbed at her eyes with a small handkerchief and sniffed. A likely tale!
If you dont believe me, would you believe the police? he said exasperatedly. Theyve been on my neck all morning.
Then why did Diana tell me you were going out with her?
It was the best thing she could have done, said Denison. She didnt want you worried. And about your quarrel I heard a bit of it on the tape. He explained about that, and said, The police have the tape now.
Lyn was horrified. You mean everyone is listening to that quarrel?
Everyone except me, said Denison drily. Have your Martini.
Something else occurred to her. But you might have been hurt he might have killed you!
But he didnt and alls well.
Who could it have been?
I suppose Im a fairly important man in some respects, said Denison tiredly. I told you yesterday that I dont babble about my work. Someone wanted information and took direct action.
She straightened her shoulders and looked at him with shining eyes. And didnt get it.
He brutally chopped the props from under the hero worship. As for Diana Hansen, theres nothing in it not the way you think. But even if there were its got nothing to do with you. Youre behaving more like an affronted wife than a daughter.
The glow died. Lyn hunched her shoulders a little and looked down at the Martini glass. Suddenly she picked it up and drained the contents at a swallow. It took her breath away and she choked a little before putting down the empty glass. Denison grinned. Does that make you feel better?
Im sorry, she said miserably.
Thats all right, he said. No harm done. Lets go for a walk. He signalled to the waiter and paid the bill and, as he got up from the table, he glanced over at the bar and saw Armstrong doing the same. It was comforting to have a bodyguard.
They left the bar and went into the lobby. As they approached the entrance a porter came in loaded with baggage, and a burly figure followed. Hey, Lucy; look whos here, boomed a voice. Its Harry Meyrick.
Oh, hell! said Denison, but there was no escape.
Who is it? asked Lyn.
Ill introduce you, said Denison grimly.
Hi, Harry! shouted Kidder, advancing across the lobby with outstretched hand. Its great to see you, it sure is.
Hallo, Jack, said Denison without enthusiasm, and allowed his hand to be pulped.
Its a small world, said Kidder predictably. I was only saying that to Lucy the other day when we bumped into the Williamsons in Stockholm. You remember the Williamsons?
Of course, said Denison.
I guess were all on the same Scandinavian round, eh? I wouldnt be surprised if the Williamsons dont turn up here, too. Wouldnt it be great if they did?
Great! said Denison.
Lucy Kidder popped out from behind her husband. Why, Harry; how nice to see you. Did Jack tell you we saw the Williamsons in Stockholm?
Yes, he did.
Its a small world, said Lucy Kidder.
It sure is, said Jack. If the Williamsons get here and that nice friend of yours, Diana Hansen we could get down to some poker. That gal is a mean player.
Lyn said, Diana Hansen? Why, shes here.
Surprise and pleasure beamed from Kidders face. Now, isnt that just great? Maybe Ill be able to win some of my dough back, Lucy.
Lose it, more likely, she said tartly. Jack really believes he can play poker.
Now then, Momma, he said good-humouredly. Dont knock the old man. He looked down at Lyn. And whos the little lady?
Excuse me, said Denison. Jack Kidder my daughter, Lyn Lucy Kidder.
They shook hands and Kidder said, You didnt tell me you had a daughter, Harry. You certainly didnt tell me you had a beautiful daughter. Where you been hiding her?
Lyns been at University, said Denison. Shes now on vacation.
Lucy said, I dont want to break things up, Jack, but I guess we gotta register. The desk clerks waiting.
Sure, said Kidder. Ill be seeing you around, Harry. Tell Diana to break out that deck of cards well be playing poker.
Ill do that, said Denison and, taking Lyn by the arm, he steered her out of the hotel. Under his breath he said, Over my dead body.
Who was that? asked Lyn.
The biggest bore from the North American continent, said Denison. With his long-suffering wife.