Midnight Never Comes - Jack Higgins [51]
'Well, that sounds promising at any rate,' Bailey replied. 'You take the lead. We'll follow.'
There was the slam of a door, followed by another, a strange, hollow silence and then the engines coughed into life. As they died into the distance, Donner turned to Chavasse and grinned.
'Simple when you know how, sport.'
13
Enter von Bayern
Donner stood in front of the fireplace in the library, adjusting the collar of his uniform. He fastened the top button, placed the peaked cap at a slight angle on his head and nodded in satisfaction.
Behind him, the door opened and Asta entered, Stavrou behind her. Donner turned with a grin and held his arms wide. 'Will I do?'
Asta's eyes burned with hate. 'If I had a gun, I'd kill you, Max,' she said flatly.
He took off his cap and crossed in two quick strides, holding her shoulders gently. 'Asta, I love you. I've always loved you. Just a few hours and I'll be back and we'll fly away from this place--far away where no one can touch us.'
She shook her head. 'I won't go, Max.'
'Give yourself a chance. You'll come round,' he said confidently.
'You murdered my mother,' she said. 'When you touch me, I want to be sick.'
He took an involuntary step back and there was real horror in his eyes. 'Now look, Asta, you've got it all wrong....'
She didn't give him a chance. 'Ruth told me. It's no use trying to deny it now. And I saw what you did to Fergus. I can believe anything after that.'
His face hardened. 'You don't leave me much choice, do you?' He nodded to Stavrou. 'Put her in the cellars with the rest of them and send Munro in here.'
She turned without a word and went out, Stavrou at her heels. Donner walked across to the desk, picked up the Mauser with the bulbous silencer on the barrel and checked the magazine.
The door opened and Murdoch entered with Boris Souvorin. The Russian wore the uniform of a sergeant-major in the German Army and Murdoch, who was to take Bailey's place, had Intelligence Corps insignia on the shoulders of his battledress tunic.
'We're ready when you are,' he said.
Donner nodded. 'Get the men into the truck. I'll be with you in five minutes.'
They went out quickly and he slipped the Mauser into his hip pocket and lit a cigarette. The door opened and Hector Munro came in followed by Stavrou.
Donner turned to face him. 'We're leaving now. Stavrou is staying, but he has things to do, so I want you and your son to help guard the prisoners in the cellar.'
'Well now, I'm not so sure about that,' the old man said. 'I don't like the way this thing is shaping up and that's a fact.'
'And what do you intend to do about it?' Donner said. 'Go to the authorities?' He shook his head. 'I thought you had brains, Hector. You're already in this up to your neck. No turning back now.'
The old man stood there, indecision on his face and Donner slapped him on the shoulder. 'Five hundred apiece for you and Rory when I get back this evening. After that, you can go where you want.'
Munro's eyes brightened. 'By God, that's money, Mr. Donner. Real money.'
'Get to it then.' Donner said and the old man turned and went out quickly.
Donner put on his cap and picked up his gloves. 'You are leaving now?' Stavrou said in Russian.
'I've one small thing to attend to first,' Donner said. 'Come with me.'
He went out into the hall, mounted the stairs quickly and moved along the landing. When he opened the door to Ruth Murray's room, she was lying on the bed, a glass in her hand.
She put it down and got to her feet. 'Max, darling, I haven't seen you all day.'
When she was close enough, he struck her heavily in the face, knocking her back across the bed. She got to her feet again, dazed, blood on her lip.
'What is it, Max? What have I done?'
'You bitch,' he said savagely. 'You told Asta about her mother--about what happened at Lesbos.'
She looked genuinely bewildered. 'No. Max! No--it isn't possible.'
He picked up the brandy decanter and held it front of her face. 'It