That isnt the present point at issue, said Carey.
Hardings voice took on an edge. It is for me, he said curtly. I have to treat the man.
That isnt the present point at issue, said Carey.
Hardings voice took on an edge. It is for me, he said curtly. I have to treat the man.
Careys voice was soothing. I know, Doctor, and you shall have all the relevant information as soon as we get it ourselves. But my present interest is in what was done to Denison and how it was done.
Harding was placated. Very well. Denison was literally dismantled. All he retained was a name and a location and the location wasnt very exact. Giles Denison of Hampstead. They could, of course, have induced complete amnesia, but that wouldnt do because Denison had to substitute for Meyrick and he would need enough active personality to carry out the role. Why Denison had to act as Meyrick I dont know.
I have ideas on that, said Carey. Go on, Doctor.
At the same time Denison must not retain too much personality, certainly not enough for him to reject the persona that had been thrust upon him. He had to be kept in a sort of limbo. There were some very strong blocks inserted into his mind to the effect that he should not question his origins. In addition, to confuse the issue, he has been given selective false memories. For instance, he distinctly remembers playing a game of golf, but at the same time he knows that he has never played a game of golf in his life. So he is a very confused man and this leads to a paralysis of the will, enough to make him stay in one place a hotel in Oslo while he tries to sort things out.
McCready stirred restlessly. Is all this possible?
Quite possible. If I draw an imaginary square on the floor of this room I could hypnotize you into avoiding it by a post-hypnotic suggestion. You could spend the rest of your life coming in and out of this room but you would never walk on that imaginary square. More to the point, you would not be aware of the irrationality of your behaviour.
McCready looked sceptical, and Harding said, Im willing to give you a demonstration at any time.
No! said McCready hurriedly. I believe you.
Carey smiled grimly. Carry on, Doctor.
The mind is a self-stabilizing organism, said Harding. If it wasnt wed all go crazy. And to inquire is basic. When Denison did try to delve into his past life he encountered the blocks and was so shocked at the impossibility of what he found in his own mind that he took refuge in a fugue. He saw the incomprehension on Careys face, and said simply, He fell asleep. A typical hysterical symptom. He did it twice when he was talking to me. I let him sleep for a quarter of an hour each time, and when he woke up hed forgotten the reason for it wiped it out of his mind. Its a selfprotective mechanism against insanity, and I rather think its happened to him before.
I dont think Ive got this straight, said Carey. Youre saying that Denison is half out of his mind and likely to fall asleep or unconscious at any time. How do you square that with the fact that he pulled the wool over one of my peoples eyes very successfully, and that he encountered a very tricky situation which might have been the death of him and coped with it very well?
Oh, hes quite competent, said Harding. Its only when he tries to question his own past that he faces the impossible and goes into a fugue. Judging by what you told me of the manner in which he was wounded Id say that hes more competent than I would have expected under the circumstances.
Hes bloody competent, said McCready suddenly, and Carey turned to look at him. I havent told you this, but hes tagged Mrs Hansen.
Hes what?
He knows she carries a gun he told me so. He said he thought I ought to know.
Harding wore an I-told-you-so expression and Careys face was a study in bafflement. Another thing, said McCready. Alcoholic or not, hes on the wagon now. Mrs Hansen said he tried a whisky last night and he gave the impression that hed swallowed prussic acid.
Interesting, said Harding. The mans mind has been stirred like porridge. It would be remarkable if it has cured his alcoholism. However, Im afraid the cure is much worse than the complaint. Hell have to be hospitalized, of course. I can make the arrangements for that.
Carey stood up. Thank you, Dr Harding.
Harding also arose. Id like to see him again tomorrow. Whats going to happen to him now?
Ill take good care of him, said Carey smoothly.
Youd better, warned Harding. If he doesnt get skilled attention hes quite likely to go insane. He yawned. Well, Im off to bed.
He left the room and Carey sat down again. He picked up the two photographs and brooded over them. McCready said, Thats it, then; the whole things a bust. No Meyrick no operation.
Carey did not say anything, and McCready asked, What are you thinking?
Carey said slowly, Im thinking that, while we may not have Meyrick, weve got a bloody good substitute.
McCreadys jaw dropped. You mean you want to hang on to him? You heard what Harding just said the mans likely to go crazy. Its not what Id call ethical.
Dont talk to me about ethics, said Carey harshly. I have a job to do. He threw down the photographs. Iredale wants to give Denison his face back, and Harding wants to restore his past. If we let Harding at him tomorrow with his tricky bloody hypnotism then Denison is going to pick up his marbles and go home.
He frowned and came to a decision. Take him back to the hotel, he said abruptly.
For Christs sake! said McCready. Do you know what youre doing?
I know, said Carey. But just work this one out while youre taking Denison back. When the attempt was being made on Denisons life at the Spiralen who was being attacked Denison or Meyrick?
McCready opened his mouth slowly while his mind spun. Carey said, Denison must be watched. The guard on his room stays and I want somebody outside keeping an eye on his window. And I want that whole bloody hotel sewn up tight. Now get cracking.
McCready dropped Denison off in the garage of the hotel. I wont come up, he said. But Ill see you tomorrow. He looked at his watch. Which is today. God, its nearly five oclock in the morning. You get to bed.
They had both been silent during the short drive. Now Denison said, What was all that about? I understood the first doctor, but the second was a psychiatrist, wasnt he?
McCready said, Carey will be seeing you tomorrow. Hell explain everything. He paused, biting his lip. I promise you.
All right, said Denison. Im too tired to argue now. But Carey had better come up with something good. He nodded to McCready and walked towards the stairs. He did not look back, but if he had and if he had been able to interpret the look in McCreadys eyes he might have recognized compassion.
Denison opened the door leading into the hotel lobby and saw suitcases stacked into a pile. There was a peal of laughter from the group of early arrivals, a crowd of young people who adorned the lobby like butterflies. He walked towards the porters desk and stood waiting while the overworked night porter did his best to deal with the rush.
At last, Denison caught his eye, and said, Three-sixty, please.
At last, Denison caught his eye, and said, Three-sixty, please.
Yes, Mr Meyrick. The porter unhooked the key.
Denison did not see the girl who stared at him in surprise, but heard the cool voice behind him saying, Daddy! He turned leisurely and was suddenly and horrifyingly aware that the young woman was addressing him.
Eleven
It was greatly to Denisons credit that he did not panic. His first impulse was to step back and deny he was Meyrick that it was a question of mistaken identity. Hard on that decision came the realization that it would not do; the night porter knew his name and was within earshot, and, in any case, a disclaimer in the hotel lobby was sure to create a fuss. He cancelled the impulse.
She was kissing him and he felt his own lips hard and unresponsive. Perhaps it was his lack of reaction that caused her to step back, the smile fading from her face. She said, I was hoping to find you here, but I hardly expected to run into you in the same hotel and at five in the morning. What are you doing up so early or so late?
She was young not much more than twenty and had the clear eyes and clear skin of youth. Her eyes were grey and her mouth wide and generous, perhaps too wide for perfect beauty. To the untutored male eye she wore no make-up but perhaps that was a tribute to skill.
He swallowed. I was visiting a friend; the talk tended to go on a bit.
Oh. She thrust her hands deep into the pockets of her motoring coat and turned her head to look at the harassed porter. Its going to take hours before I get my room. Can I freshen up in yours? I must look a sight.
His mouth was dry and, for a moment, he could not speak. She looked at him curiously. You are staying here? Then she laughed. Of course you are; you have the key in your hand.
I just have to make a telephone call, he said, and stepped away slightly, disengaging himself.
Why not from the room?
Its just as easy from down here. He walked away to the public telephones, fumbling in his pocket for coins.
The public telephones were not in booths but were surrounded by large transparent plastic hoods which theoretically would keep conversations private. He was aware that the girl had followed him and was standing close by. He took out his wallet, extracted a slip of paper, and dialled the number. The ringing sound buzzed in his ear six times, and then a voice said, Yes?
He kept his voice low. I want Carey.
Youll have to speak up. I cant hear you.
He raised his voice a little. I want to talk to Carey.
Doubtfully: I dont think thats possible. Hes in bed.
I dont care if hes in his coffin. Get him up. This is Denison.
There was a sharp intake of breath. Right!
In a remarkably short time Carey came on the line. Denison?
Its trouble. Meyricks...
Carey cut in with a voice like gravel. How did you know to ring this number?
For Gods sake! That can wait.
How did you know? insisted Carey.
There was a telephone in the room where I saw the doctors, said Denison. I took the number off that.