High Water Page 6

  name and personal details, and across the top, the stamp of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

  The evening was quiet and warm, and only the merest breeze ruffled the thick leaves of :he old oak trees that lined the road, which, apart from the late, home-going business man, and the occasional, pleasure-seeking car, was deserted and peaceful.

  From beyond the banks of trees came the ageless peal of the great clock in Hampton Court Palace chiming the quarter hour, but the two men, seated motionless in the darkened, parked car by the roadside, showed no sign of having heard,

  Lang leaned forward on the steering wheel, the reflection of his cigarette glowing in the windscreen, a frown' of concentration creasing his forehead.

  Vivian, half-turned in his seat, sucked on an empty pipe, and watched the other man with something like apprehension in his eyes.

  `Well, that's the set-up as- I see it, Felix,' he concluded. 'Your little racket has got a bit hotter than you anticipated. The question is, what do we do now?'

  Lang turned slowly, the ash dropping on to his lap.

  `Not a stockbroker at all, eh?' he mused, as if he had not heard the question. 'Well, that is a turn-up for the book, that is.'

  He flicked absently at the ash, then, with a quick change of mood, as if to announce that he had come to a decision, he turned the ignition key, and pressed the starter.

  He laughed shortly. `We'll have to get organized, t quick! I'll have to get old Jensen on one side. After all, there's not much we can do until he's had his say.'

  `He must be a pretty cool customer, this Muir,' said Vivian, as the car swung back on to the main road. `Fancy using Karen as the method of introduction.' He paused. `You don't suppose he's on the level, do you? After all, he might not have wanted her to know his exact job.'

  Lang snorted. `Nuts, old boy, if he was on the up-andup, he'd no doubt have matrimony in mind, so deception is a bit useless, isn't it? Oh no, my friend, I've had a feeling something would happen one day, as I told you, but Christ, I didn't think it'd be in the family, so to speak!'

  `He must be a bit of a rat to use a girl like Karen for his dirty work.'

  `He'll probably tell you, if you ask him,' jerked Lang, `that he's just doing his duty! They all do, you know.'

  There was a crunch of gravel, as the tyres turned on a wide, curving drive, which passed through twin, wroughtiron gates, and between dark clumps of bushes and birch trees, and as the car slackened its pace, Vivian saw the lighted windows of the large, red-walled country house close at hand.

  Lang nodded. `This is it, grand old place, built about the same time as the Palace. Wouldn't mind it myself.'

  As they were ushered into the long entrance hall by a pleasant, middle-aged servant-woman, Vivian glanced round in admiration at the huge raftered ceiling, the gleaming brasses, and polished wood floors. He noticed, too, that everywhere there were vast bowls of beautifully arranged flowers.

  The lounge into which they were shown was also well supplied with cut flowers, and again Vivian was struck by the serene air of grace and comfort which seemed to pervade the whole house.

  Nils Jensen began to lever himself from his chair, but Vivian stepped smartly across the room, and forestalled him.

  `I'm glad you could come, my boy,' he nodded, with a gentle smile. `We will have another talk soon, yes?'

  He sat looking dreamily at Vivian, his delicate hands beating a silent tattoo on the chair, and in his dark blue velvet jacket and old world cravat, he looked as if he and the house were part of each other.

  Mason and his wife sat moodily on a sofa, sipping their drinks, and listening to a fat, red-faced little man, who Vivian later discovered was a local J.P. Janice Mason's face brightened as he and Lang entered the room, and she raised her glass in welcome. She was apparently more than a little drunk.

  There were several other people, local friends of Jensen, standing or sitting in small groups, sipping their drinks, and laughing gaily. Although informally dressed, the quiet elegance of their clothes made Vivian wish once more that lie had been able to afford what, up to now, he had regarded as unnecessary luxury.

  Karen was standing with one group by the long french windows, which overlooked a sloping lawn, that ran straight down to the river's edge. She was dressed in a soft, pale blue cocktail dress, her slim shoulders bare, and he noted, with disgust, that Muir hovered attentively at her side.

  There was a fresh burst of laughter, and she twisted slightly, the lights gleaming on her smooth skin. He smiled nervously, wondering what she would do, and to his intense delight she turned, spoke quickly to the others, and then crossed the room to confront him.

  `How nice, Philip,' she said softly. `I'm glad you were able to come. Do you have a drink?'

  He shook his head.

  `Come with me,' she commanded, and he willingly followed her slight figure to a long table, wei lsaocked with bottles, and little glass dishes of canapes of every size and description.

  `Quite a spread,' murmured Vivian approvingly.

  `Come, we will drink a proper Danish toast together,' she said, and, picking up a bottle, she filled two small glasses with a colourless liquid.

  `Schnapps?' queried Vivian, and she nodded.

  'Do you enjoy our Danish speciality then?'

  `I had a little once, when I slipped across to Copenhagen

  from Germany,' he answered, as he took the glass from her. She wrinkled her nose. `Everybody goes to Copenhagen,

  and then thinks he has seen Denmark, But it is just another

  rather nice town really, you know.'

  'I take it that where you come from is the real thing?' Vivian grinned broadly.

  'Oh yes,' she studied him seriously. 'My home is m Vejle. A lovely part of the country on the Baltic, right at the end of a deep fjord.' She smiled excitedly. 'You would love it, there are plenty of little boats there, and clear, deep water, it is very beautiful.' She stopped, and looked up at him, her eyes laughing., `But now we drink, to your Seafox. But don't forget, you must drink it straight down, no cheating?'

  They clinked their glasses. `Sisal!' she said, smiling.

  The drink seemed to run straight through him, like

  liquid fire, and lme spluttered, gasping for breath. `Phew, I'd forgotten how potent it was!' he gasped. `But very nice, yes?'

  'Oh hall., Vivian,' drawled a voice at his elbow, and he turned, trying to erase the resentment from his face, Muir, immaculate in a light gabardine suit, was regarding him with interest.

  'All ready for that trip you're making?' His voice was casual.

  `Practically,' answered Vivian shortly.

  `Where are you off to, this time?'

  `Don't know yet.' He hoped he, too, sounded casual.

  Muir appeared to have lost interest, and he turned to the girl.

  `Coming, Karen?' he inquired. `Betty and Paul are just leaving, and I think they want to talk about that dance for next week.'

  She put down her glass, and Vivian felt he wanted to seize her, and take her away from everyone, then and there.

  'I hope I shall see you for another talk this evening, Philip.' Her voice was soft. `Don't slip away like you usually do, will you?'

  She left him, and he watched the group move into the next room, his heart filled with uncontrollable emotions.

  A slim hand slid through his arrn$ and he looked down into the face of Janice Mason, who gave him a mock salute with her free hand.

  `Care to Ex me a drink, Captain?' Her words were slightly slurred.

  He frowned, and shook his head. `You've had enough, my girl, but I'll get you just a little one.'

  She downed the gin he handed her without effort, and smiled at him sadly. 'I see that you were thwarted again?' As he made no comment, she nodded towards the other room. `That man Muir, I mean.'

  Vivian shrugged. `I'm not giving up hope.'

  She beamed. `Good boy! After all, remember that envy always walks hand-in-hand with extreme joy.'

  He l
ooked at her in amazement. `You must be more sober than I thought, to come out with a mouthful like that!'

  `H'm, just a bit depressed, that's all.' And she deftly refilled her glass.

  It was then he noticed that her husband and Lang had disappeared, and turning to find Jensen, he saw that his chair was also empty. So the conference had started apparently.

  He turned back to the girl. `Well, I'll look after you till the others come back.'

  `To hell with the lot of them,' she muttered. `I'd give my arms and legs to be like all these people here.' She waved vaguely about the room. `Nice, ordinary, simple, honest little people,' she said vehemently, her eyes flashing. `No bloody rackets, no big deals, no nothing!'

  Vivian glanced round nervously, but the other guests appeared to be happily occupied.

  `Here, keep control of yourself,' he hissed. `No point in busting up the party.'

  She looked at him in contempt, or was it plain misery, He couldn't be sure.

  `Philip,' her voice was so husky, he could hardly hear her.

  `I hate the sight of my husband. Does that surprise you?'

  `I rather gathered that- ' he began.

  'But F"elix will be able to help me, won't he?' Her voice was imploring.

  `I guess Felix'd fix anything, if he wanted it badly enough,' he said firmly. `Come on, we'll go for a stroll round the lawn, till you feel a bit better.' And steering her by the elbow, he guided her out through the french windows, and into the moonlight.

  He was quick to realize his mistake, for as the cool air struck Janice, she reeled heavily against him, giggling foolishly, and as he grabbed her roughly, to stop her from falling, she clung about his neck, her eyes swimming.

  They were both suddenly bathed in light, as one of the french windows opened behind them, and before Vivian realized what was happening, Mason stepped quickly down on to the lawn, and seized her arm, dragging her heavily back into the shadows.

  His face was livid, as he stared from her to Vivian, his thin lips working with pent-up rage.

  `You little fool,' he hissed. `Can't you keep away from any man for a few minutes?' And with a sudden jerk, he struck her across the face with the flat of his hand. She staggered back, her hands to her cheek, sobbing quietly, while Mason stood glowering at her, his breath heaving.

  `Now, just a minute, Mason,' began Vivian, his face set in a grim frown. `She's just a bit done up, there's no need for you...!'

  'Shut your mouth!' Mason's eyes glinted wildly. `And if I catch you messing about with her again, I'll fix you too!'

  A tight feeling clamped Vivian's skull as, without effort, he reached out and gripped the front of the other man's jacket, and pulled him easily towards him. When he spoke, his voice was strange, and flat.

  `Don't threaten me, Mason! Or you'll get the treatment you deserve!'

  He gave a twist to the jacket, and a sharp thrust, and Mason reeled against the wall, his face white, and his small eyes popping with fright and hatred.

  `All right, you two, I think that'll be enough for now!' Jensen's soft voice had a sharp ring of authority, as he limped out of the lighted room, followed by Lang, his round face anxious.

  `Sorry about that, but I don't like people around me hitting women!' Vivian's arms fell to his sides.

  `All right, all right,' snapped Jensen. `Now you've had your say, get into the study, and Lang, give him a drink.'

  He turned to Mason, his hooded eyes cold. 'And you, Andrew, I think you'd better take Janice home,' He raised his hand, as Mason began to speak. `No, Andrew, I think it's better this way. We've a lot to do, and we've no time for personal bitterness.'

  Mason shook himself, his chest still heaving. `Very well,' he croaked. `But keep that-that gentleman away from me!'

  `I think I'd better keep you away from him,' answered Jensen dryly, then with a quick glance round, he stepped into the brightly lit study, and closed the windows.

  He sank wearily into his chair, and watched Vivian's taut face, as he took the drink from Lang, and tossed it back without apparently noticing it.

  `The lout!' muttered Vivian eventually, surprised to find that he was still shaking with rage.

  `Finished?' Jensen's voice was brittle, like a small bell. Vivian snorted, and banged down the glass. `Yes,' he snapped, `except that I don't like your friend very much!' `So we have gathered, my boy! And from what I've seen and heard this evening, I have had to revise my opinion a little also.'

  He tapped slowly on his chair, the hands working, while his body lay back, still and restful.

  `Go and pay my respects to the guests, Felix, they'll be wondering where everybody has got to, and no doubt they'll be ready to go anyway.'

  Lang hurried away, shooting a curious glance at Vivian as he did so. Jensen sat silently listening to the sounds coming from the other room, then with a little sigh, he turned his attention to the other man.

  `I gather from Felix, that apart from being a very hottempered young man,' he chuckled slightly, `you are also completely trustworthy. I also know that you are fully aware of what is going on around you at the present moment. Well?' He leaned forward, his eyes compelling in their sudden brightness.

  `I know enough,' said Vivian carefully.

  `Enough! What is enough?' snapped Jensen, his hands tapping their impatient rhythm.

  As Vivian lowered his eyes, he hurried on, his tone impulsive.

  `Very well, Mr. Vivian, I will tell you! You know about the money, and where it comes from, eh? And you proved your loyalty to me by finding out that handsome, but foolish, young man David Muir. That, in my opinion, is enough!' He paused for breath, the deformed corner of his mouth twitching uncontrollably.

  `Now, just a minute,' said Vivian awkwardly, `I was mainly concerned in my own safety, for one thing, and for another, I didn't much like the idea of your niece being led up the garden by Muir.'

  `Any more than you like the idea of her being deceived by me, and by this whole unlawful affair, is that not so?'

  Vivian winced, it was like talking to a mind-reader.

  `You do not have to explain, my boy, it is quite clear to me,' he smiled briefly, `as is the most obvious fact, that you are in love with my little Karen.'

  He leaned back, satisfied with the effect of this bombshell on Vivian's defences.

  `My feeling for Karen,' he spoke her name carefully, as if he was handling a precious jewel, `is my business!' he said coldly.

  Jensen's squat figure shook with silent laughter, but he stopped, as Vivian frowned angrily.

  `Please, do not misunderstand my rudeness,' he explained, `it was just that your feeling for Karen is the one reason for my having you here tonight.' He paused, allowing his words to sink in. `To ine, also, she is everything,' he said softly. `As you know, I believe, I was a prisoner of the Germans for some time, when they discovered that I might be of some use to them. During the time I was in Sachsenhausen concentration camp,' he smiled wryly, 'ah, I see by your face that you have heard of it! Well, while I was there, I lost everything, my family, which nearly killed me, and but for my desire to escape, and to take my revenge against those swine, I would have died too! As you can see, they left very little of my own body intact too! But when I got away to England with Karen, I rebuilt my life around her. I was determined that she, at least, would never know the meaning of fear and want, and that she would one clay be able to enjoy the type of life I once knew!'

  'I think I can understand all that,' Vivian said quietly,

  `Yes, I thought I had you figured correctly. Anyway, to cut short this miserable story, when I found the means to make money, literally, I did not hesitate. Why should I? After the war, I could get nothing back. My home had gone, everything was different, I was a stranger in my own country. While all around us we see today our former enemies strong and powerful, snakes in a different guise!' He spat out the words. 'Oh no, Mr. Vivian, I do not hesitate! Because if I must transact business with these sort of people, I will do it the way they taught me
!'

  'What do you want me to do?' 'V'ivian asked quickly.

  'I want you to sail for France, at once. To make one last trip for me. Then I will finish with the whole business. I will be satisfied.'

  'Where to, this time?'

  `It's only a little beach, I could show you on a chart, but it will not be difficult for you to End. But it may be dangerous, I will be quite frank about that.'

  'How so?' Vivian was amazed to find himself so calm.

  'I feel the authorities will be suspicious, so you must be very careful.' He nodded abstractedly. 'Very careful. Mason knows about this, but he doesn't know it's the last time I

  shall produce any money. I think it better to tell him later. He is, I'm afraid, a very greedy man, and that may well be his undoing, but it is not to-be ours.' Then, with no apparent connexion, `Can you drive a car?'

  Vivian nodded.

  `Good, then you must take me now to your boat, and we will look at the charts together. I will drive back slowly myself'

  `Will I have any passengers on the trip oven?'

  'I'm afraid it will be necessary to have Cooper, and another man.' His voice was apologetic. 'I want you to pick them up off Ramsgate, just in case you are seen sailing from London, You are not likely to be suspected of going on a difficult trip, if you start out alone,' he explained,

  'I always seem to be sticking my neck out,' grinned Vivian. 'At least I know what I'm supposed to be doing this time.'

  The old man grasped his wrist in a strong grip. 'Make no mistake, it may be dangerous, so be careful.' He smiled in his quaint manner, `For her sake, if not for your own!'

  Vivian flushed. 'I'll not stand a chance,' he muttered.

  'We have a saying in Denmark,' he smiled sadly, as if at a memory. 'Love is like a beautiful flower. It is not enough to admire it, you must also cherish and protect it, and be prepared to devote your life to it.' He chuckled. 'At least, I think that's 'ow it goes.'

  Lang hurried back to the room. 'I've got the car in the drive,' he said. quickly, 'and nearly all the guests have gone.'

  'What about Karen?' asked Jensen, his eyes at the window.

  'She's slipped off too. She said she was going for a quick drive with our friend Muir.'