Yes, she said coldly. I suppose you are.
Carey thought that she found no difficulty in holding back her grief but that might be understandable in the circumstances. He said deliberately, Miss Meyrick; after Denison had told you his story did you try to probe into his past?
Why, yes; I wanted to know who he was who he is.
You must never do that again, said Carey solemnly. It could be most dangerous for him.
She flared up. If only a quarter of what he told me is true, what youre doing to that man is despicable. He ought to have psychiatric treatment.
Hes getting that now, said Carey. Dr Harding is a psychiatrist. How did Denison give himself away? She told him and he nodded. We couldnt hope to get away with it for ever, he said philosophically. But I did hope for another day. I was going to separate you tomorrow.
My God! she said. Who the hell do you think you are? Were not chess pieces.
Denison is a volunteer, said Carey. Its his own choice.
Some choice! she said cuttingly.
The door behind Carey opened. He swung around in his chair and saw Harding alone. Ian, go and sit with Denison.
It wont be necessary, said Harding. Hell be out in a minute. Ive just given him something to think about.
How is he?
Hell be all right.
Does he remember spilling the beans to Miss Meyrick?
Oh, yes, said Harding. Its just that he cant remember what Miss Meyrick was asking him just before he passed out. He looked at Lyn with interest. What was it?
I wanted to know who he was, Lyn said.
He shook his head. Dont try that again. I think Ill have to have a talk with you, young lady.
Dont bother, said Carey grimly. Shes going back to England.
Lyn inspected Harding with a cold eye. Are you a doctor?
Harding paused as he lit a cigarette. Among other things.
I think you must have been confused when you took the oath, she said. You took the hypocritic oath instead of the Hippocratic oath. Harding coloured but before he could answer she had rounded on Carey. As for going to England, I most certainly am. A lot of people will be very interested in what I have to tell them.
Oh, I wouldnt try that, said Carey quietly.
Try to stop me, she challenged.
Carey leaned back in his chair and glanced at McCready. It looks as though well have to keep her here, George. Arrange the necessary booking her out of the hotel and so on.
And then what? she asked. You cant keep me here for ever. Ill be back in England some time and Ill make sure the story gets around about whats been happening to this man. It will make interesting reading.
McCready smiled. The papers wont print it. Theres a thing called a D notice.
She looked at him contemptuously. Do you think twenty universities full of students will take any account of your stupid D notices? she asked in scorn.
My God! said McCready.Shes right. You know what students are like.
So what are you going to do? she asked interestedly. Kill me?
Theyre going to do nothing, said Denison from behind Carey. He closed the door behind him. Or theyll have to get themselves another boy.
Carey did not turn round. He merely said, Draw up a chair, Denison. We have a problem to solve.
Denison sat next to Carey. Coercion wont solve it.
So Im finding out, said Carey caustically. So maybe well try persuasion. What exactly is it you want, Miss Meyrick?
She was suddenly nervous. I want you to stop whatever it is youre doing to... to him. Her hand trembled as she pointed at Denison.
Were not doing anything to him. Hes a volunteer and hell confirm it.
She flared. How can he be a volunteer when he doesnt know who he is? Any court of law would toss out that argument.
Careful, said Harding suddenly, watching Denison.
He needs help, she pleaded.
Hes getting it, said Carey, and indicated Harding.
You already know what I think of that.
Tell me something, said Carey. Why are you so agitated about Denison? He is, after all, a stranger.
She looked down at the table. Not any more, she said in a low voice. She raised her head and regarded Carey with clear eyes. And arent we supposed to care for strangers? Have you never heard of the parable of the Good Samaritan, Mr Carey?
Carey sighed, and said dispiritedly, See what you can do, Giles.
Denison opened his mouth and then closed it again. It was the first time Carey had addressed him by his Christian name, as he normally did with Armstrong and McCready. Was he now accepted as a member of the team, or was it just that the cunning old devil had decided to use psychology?
He looked across the table at the girl. I know what Im doing, Lyn and this operation is very important.
How can you know what youre doing? she demanded. Youre not competent to judge.
Thats just what he is, interjected Carey. Sorry, Giles; carry on.
Thats not the point, said Denison. It wasnt of my own free will that I was pitched into the middle of all this, but now that Im in it I agree with Carey. If the operation is to be a success then I must continue to be Meyrick to be your father. And that Im going to do, regardless of what you think. I appreciate your concern, but this is too important for considerations like that.
She was silent, biting her lip. She said, All right, Har... Giles. But on one condition.
Whats that?
That I come with you as Lyn Meyrick with her father. There was a dead silence around the table. Well, isnt that what you wanted for the masquerade to go on? Youve used me unknowingly now you can use me knowingly.
Carey said softly, It might be dangerous.
So is having a father like Harry Meyrick, she said bitterly. But thats my condition take it or leave it.
Taken, said Carey promptly.
No! said Denison simultaneously.
They stopped and looked at each other. Shes stubborn, said Carey. And shes got us by the short hairs. Its the answer.
Are you sure? asked Denison. He might have been replying to Carey but he looked at Lyn.
Im sure, she said.
Well, thats it, said Carey briskly. Now we can get on with the planning. Thank you, Dr Harding; I dont think well need you on this. Ill keep in touch with you.
Harding stood up and nodded. He was walking to the door when Lyn said, No! Her voice was sharp.
Harding stopped. No what? said Carey exasperatedly.
Dr Harding stays with Giles, she said. The three of us stay together.
For Christs sake! said Carey, and a suppressed snort came from McCready.
Harding had a white smile, My dear Miss Meyrick; Im hardly... Im no... no...
No guman, like the rest of them probably are? Well, let me tell you something. You wont be worth a damn as a psychiatrist unless you stay with your patient.
Harding flushed again. Carey said, Impossible!
Whats so impossible about it? Lyn looked at Harding speculatively. But Im willing to leave it to the doctor and his conscience, if he has one. What about it, Dr Harding?
Harding rubbed his lean jaw. Insofar as it will help Denison Im willing to stay. But I warn you Im no man of action.
Thats it, then, said Lyn, parodying Carey.
Carey looked at her helplessly, and McCready said, It might not be a bad idea if the doctor is willing, as he seems to be.
Carey gave up. Sit down, Harding, he said ungraciously.
As he picked up his briefcase Denison murmured, You did say by the short hairs, didnt you?
Carey ignored him and opened the briefcase. I have reason to believe that quite a lot of people are interested in the movements of Dr Meyrick. Were going to give them some movements to watch.
He spread out a large map of Finland. George will fly to Ivalo in Northern Lapland his finger stabbed down here. Thats as far north as you can fly in Finland. Therell be a car waiting and hell drive still farther north to this place up by the Norwegian border Kevon Tutkimusasema thats a station for the exploration of the Kevo Nature Preserve, the jumping off place, as you might call it.
He looked up at McCready. Your job is to cover the party from the outside. Youll inspect Kevo Camp, make sure its clean and I dont mean in the hygienic sense and youll keep an eye on the party all the time its up there. But you wont acknowledge it youll be a stranger. Understand?
Got it, said McCready.
Denison and Mrs Hansen and now, of course, Miss Meyrick and Dr Harding will travel by car from Helsinki. You will leave early tomorrow and it will take you two days to get to the camp at Kevo. George will already be there but you dont recognize him. Hes your trump card should you get into trouble. Careys finger moved slightly south. You will then explore the Kevo Nature Park. Its rough country and youll need packs and tents. He wagged a finger at McCready. Well need extra gear; see to it, George.
Whats the point of all this? asked Denison.
Carey straightened. From my reading of Meyricks dossier and from what I know of his character he never did take an interest in natural history. Is that correct, Miss Meyrick?
He was a pure technologist, she said. If he ever thought of natural history which I doubt it would be with contempt.
As I thought, said Carey. So if Meyrick becomes interested now it will be out of character. The people who are watching him as I am certain they are will be mystified and will suspect an ulterior motive, which I will be careful to provide. He tapped Denisons arm. Youll take some simple instruments a theodolite and so on and youll act out a charade as though youre looking for something. Got the idea?
A red herring, said Denison.
Right. Youll spend three days at Kevo and then youll move south to another Nature Park at Sompio. There you will put on the same act until youre recalled.
How will that be done? asked McCready.
Theres a little village called Vuotso just outside. Ill send you a telegram to poste restante Come home, all is forgiven. It would be useful to have webbed feet at Sompio its very marshy.
Then therell be wildfowl, said Harding with sudden enthusiasm.
Very likely, said Carey uninterestedly.
Let me get this straight, said Denison. Meyrick is supposed to be looking for something lets say buried in a Nature Park, but he doesnt know which one. And all he has to go on are landmarks, hence the theodolite for measuring angles.
Just like in a treasure hunt, said Lyn.
Precisely, said Carey. But the treasure doesnt exist at least, not up there. Ive even got a map for you. Its as phoney as hell but very impressive.