Passage by Night - Jack Higgins [45]
'What was left of him. As it turned out, they were waiting for me to arrive.'
Seth looked bewildered. 'But that ain't possible, Harry. Only the three of us knew you were going. I know I ain't no Cuban spy and Morrison can't be. That only leaves Mr Viner.'
'Exactly!'
Before Seth could reply, a step sounded on the companionway and Orlov entered, followed by Anna and her father.
'Some friends I picked up along the way,' Manning said. 'I think they'd appreciate a little of that coffee.'
Seth hurried into the galley and Anna and her father subsided onto the other bench seat. They both looked completely exhausted.
Manning gave Orlov a cigarette and pushed the pack across the table to Anna. 'How do you feel?'
There were dark smudges under her eyes and her face was very white, but she managed a smile. 'Nothing a few hours' sleep won't cure.'
'There's a shower and two cabins aft. Seth will show you where. Maria left a few dresses and things in one of them. You're welcome to help yourself.'
Her father had sunk into a state of complete apathy and huddled in the corner, head bowed. She spoke to him in a low voice and then turned anxiously to Manning. 'I think he should lie down. Could we take him along to the cabin now?'
Manning started to rise, but Orlov beat him to it. 'I'll give you a hand,' he said, helping the old man to his feet, and they took him out through the galley.
Manning sat there, his head in his hands, great waves of tiredness sweeping through him. When the coffee came it was so hot that it scalded his mouth, but for the moment, it gave him new life and the ability to think straight for a little longer.
When Orlov and Anna returned, Seth brought them fresh coffee and Manning said, 'Seen Morrison lately?'
Seth nodded. 'We were out Cat Island way yesterday. He asked me to run him over to Nassau this afternoon. He's still at the Caravel. Same room.'
'Is Joe Howard in town?'
Seth shook his head. 'He left for Crab Cay early this morning with both his constables. They found some guy with a knife in his back over there last night.'
Manning finished his coffee and stood up. 'I think I'll go and see Morrison.'
He opened the map drawer in the table, rummaged beneath some charts and took out a Luger automatic and a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver with a sawn-off barrel. He hefted them both in his hands for a moment, decided on the Luger and replaced the Smith & Wesson in the drawer.
'You are expecting trouble?' Orlov said.
Manning pushed the Luger down into his waistband beneath his shirt. 'You never can tell.'
'Then I think I shall come with you.'
Anna had been sitting watching them, her coffee still untasted. She stood up. 'What about us, Harry?'
'You stay here. I've still got a room at the Caravel. That'll do Orlov and me for the time being. After I've seen Morrison I'll be back for my things. You can leave as soon as you like after that. If you think you could do with him, Seth can crew for you as far as Harmon Springs.'
There was a slight frown on her face. 'I don't understand.'
'I'm giving you the boat,' he said. 'The way I see it, it's the least I owe you.' She swayed, clutching at the edge of the table, and he gave Orlov a little push towards the companionway. 'Let's get moving.'
The Russian went first and Manning followed. As they climbed to the jetty, Anna stumbled out on deck.
'No, Harry! No!'
He said calmly, 'No arguments, Anna. That's the way it's going to be.'
She started to cry helplessly, leaning against the wheelhouse, her face to the wall and he turned and found Orlov looking at him gravely. 'I think you are a very great fool, my friend.'
That's the way it goes,' Manning said. 'Sometimes you win - sometimes you lose.'
Everything that was in him, every fibre of his being urged him to go back, to tell her that this was what he truly wanted, but he was involved enough already. He had done Anna Melos and her father a great wrong. Now he had made up for it. Let it end there.
The terrace of the Caravel was crowded with tourists dining in the open under the shade of the