Bloody Passage - Jack Higgins [37]
I reached under the chart table and released a spring catch. A flap fell down which held a Stechkin machine pistol in spring clips, a slight improvement Barzini and I had fitted up together the previous evening when Nino and Angelo weren't around.
The door clicked open behind me. I tried to close the flap, too late, and Simone said, "Very neat, but then you always did like to be prepared for any and every possibility."
I said, "What's the story?"
"I waited until you'd all gone up to the villa, then came on board and hid in the engine room," she said. "I had clothes in my beach bag."
"All right--why?"
"Because I couldn't stand being with Stavrou anymore. Because I love you."
"Am I supposed to feel flattered?"
There was a short pause and then she moved forward so that I could see her face disembodied in the light from the compass.
"Not really. But that's what I was told to say." She moved very close now, sliding her arms about my neck, pushing those good breasts against me. "I'm also supposed to prove it in every possible way."
I put my hands on her waist which seemed the natural thing to do. "Stavrou sent you?"
"That's right."
"Does Langley know?"
"Of course."
"I see. You're supposed to help him out. Pass on any useful information and so forth?" I put my hand under the chart table and dropped the flap again. "You could tell him about this for a start."
"I suppose I could." Her lips brushed against my right ear. "I'm sure of one thing. Langley's up to something. I don't know what, but it's a fact of life."
"Why should I trust you now? I tried it once, remember."
"I know," she said. "So you'll just have to chance your arm because what we're talking about now isn't me or you, but your sister." She pulled away slightly. "Whether you believe this or not doesn't really matter, but the first thing I knew about her involvement was when Justin flew her in from Palermo."
"All right," I said. "A change of heart. We'll see." I closed the flap under the chart table, reached up to the bulkhead and dropped another one down containing an Israeli Uzi sub-machine gun.
"Tell him about that one. He'll think you're nicely on the ball."
"All right."
She stayed close to me, her right leg trapped between my knees. I flicked the intercom switch and pressed the buzzer. Barzini said, "What's up?"
"Better get up here," I said. "And bring Langley with you. We're carrying excess cargo."
They were with us in a few moments, Barzini leading the way. He pulled up short when he saw Simone. "What's all this?"
"She's decided to change sides, that's all," I said.
Langley certainly put on an excellent show. "Why, you stupid little bitch," he said. "Stavrou will have your hide for this."
He reached for her and I knocked his arm away. "She's with me from now on, so hands off. I'll sort it out with Stavrou when we get back."
Langley laughed shortly. "Suit yourself, old stick, and much good may it do you. I mean, she has rather been passed from hand to hand. Did she tell you about that whorehouse she worked at in Paris, by the way? All sorts of peculiar goings on there, I can tell you."
She lunged at him and Barzini got in the way. Langley moved out while the going was good, laughing delightedly and Barzini leaned against the door to stop the girl following him.
Simone turned, furiously angry. I said, "I'm damned if I know who put up the better performance. You or Langley."
"What do I have to do to convince you?" She slapped me across the face. "Cut off my right hand?" For the first time there was a hint of genuine distress in her voice. "All right, Oliver, maybe I've spent too much time at gutter level, but you've been there yourself."
"Okay," I said. "If it makes you feel better, I believe you. Take her below, Aldo, and put Nino and Carter in the picture."
He opened the door for her. As she turned to go I added, "Don't forget to tell him about the submachine gun. His reaction might prove interesting."
They left me and I sat there thinking about things