The Dark Side of the Island - Jack Higgins [20]
When he opened them again, she was half across the table, the German sprawled on top of her, his hands moving over the young body.
Her face was bone-white and she seemed to look straight into Lomax's eyes. He felt his throat go dry and clenched his right hand and then she cried out sharply.
Before he could move, Alexias growled like an animal, sent the trapdoor back with a crash and scrambled through the opening. As he dropped, his right foot slipped between two rungs and he lost his balance and fell heavily to the floor.
The German turned in alarm. For a moment he stared down at Alexias in horrified surprise and then he pushed Katina away from him.
Lomax dropped through the opening and moved in fast. The German hastily unbuttoned the flap of his holster, but he was too late. As he drew his pistol, Lomax grabbed his wrist, pushing the weapon to one side, and raised his knee into the man's crotch.
The German grunted with pain, his head coming forward, and Lomax struck him sharply against the jaw with his right elbow, snapping the bone. The German screamed, his head going back as he fell against the table, and Lomax slashed him across the throat with the edge of his hand. The table went over with a crash and the German rolled on to his face.
Katina was already on her knees beside her uncle and Boyd was half-way down the ladder, his Mauser ready in his hand. He slipped it back into his holster and helped her raise Alexias into a sitting position.
The Greek's face was twisted with pain and there was a film of sweat on his forehead. "Mother of God, I think it's broken," he said.
Lomax crossed the room quickly and between them they got him to a chair. Alexias tentatively ran his hands down the leg and winced suddenly. "I was right. There's a break just below the knee. What a stinking mess."
Katina was near to tears. "I'm sorry," she said. "I did my best, but he wouldn't go away. He insisted that I must make him coffee."
Boyd was on his knees beside the German and now he stood up. "One thing's for sure--he'll never bother anyone again." He glanced at Lomax, face grim. "You never do things by halves, do you? A couple of hours from now and they'll be looking for this bloke all over the island."
"Then they must find him," Alexias put in.
Lomax turned, a frown on his face. "What do you mean?"
"For God's sake give me a cigarette," the Greek said. "It's simple enough. They patrol along the top of the cliffs in their motorcycles. He'll have to meet with a nasty accident, that's all."
"By God, he's right," Boyd said. "It's a way out"
Lomax nodded. "The only way, but there's still a snag. They probably won't find him till daybreak. That means this is going to be an unhealthy neighbourhood for the rest of the night. In any case, Alexias needs a doctor." He turned to the Greek. "How far is it to Van Horn's place?"
"Over the shoulder of the mountain, no more than an hour if you know the track."
Lomax frowned. "If you think we're leaving you here, you're crazy. When the Germans turn out, they're bound to search this place."
"I won't be here," Alexias said. "I'll be safe in town at The Little Ship. Help me on to the cart and I'll have myself there in half an hour."
"But what about me, uncle?" Katina said.
He managed a smile and patted her arm. "You must take them to Mr. Van Horn as soon as you can. With luck he may be able to return with you to The Little Ship tonight."
"You seem to have it all worked out," Lomax said.
"The way he puts it, it's all we can do," Boyd told him.
Lomax nodded. "That's it then. Let's get him out to the cart before we do anything else. The sooner he's safe in town and off the road the better."
He and Boyd supported the Greek between them as they went outside and Katina brought the horse and cart across to the bottom of the steps. They helped him up on to the narrow seat and he supported his injured leg on one of the shafts.
Boyd went inside and came back with one of the sub-machine guns. Alexias slipped it under his seat and smiled down at them, teeth gleaming in the darkness.
"Don't worry.