The Dark Side of the Island - Jack Higgins [41]
"Or his weakness or fear, have you considered that?" Van Horn shook his head. "It won't work, Lomax. Every member of the group suffered in one way or another. Some died, the rest saw the war out in Fonchi, and we all squatted in that Hell together. No one received special treatment, I can assure you."
"Except Alexias," Lomax said.
"As I think I mentioned earlier, they sent him to Gestapo Headquarters in Athens for special treatment of another sort."
"But why should they?" Lomax demanded. "They knew he'd worked with me and with the EOK on Crete, but it's highly unlikely he could have told them anything about the general set-up there that they didn't already know. Under the rules of the Geneva Convention they were quite entitled to shoot him as a spy and yet they didn't."
"On the other hand, they usually executed Special Air Service officers when they caught them and failed to do so in your own case."
Lomax nodded slowly. "That's the one thing I've never understood. Why Steiner didn't have me shot. They couldn't have been saving me for Crete because the policy was to hold a public execution in front of the local populace where they caught you."
"I might add that if you're looking for someone who doesn't fit into the general pattern there's always Katina," Van Horn said calmly.
Lomax looked at him in astonishment. "For God's sake be sensible. We know exactly what happened there."
"We only have her word for it. If you suspect her uncle then you must logically suspect her also." Lomax frowned and sat down in the opposite chair and Van Horn continued. "Another thing. Even if Alexias did betray us, that still doesn't explain how the Germans got on to him in the first place."
And there was the one great flaw. Lomax sighed heavily. "You're right of course."
"I'm sorry," Van Horn said gently. "But it had to be said. What will you do now?"
Lomax got to his feet. "I still think it's time I had a word with Alexias. After all, in a manner of speaking, he's at the heart of things."
"Do you think he'll see you?"
"I don't see why not. Katina tells me he lives out at the farm on his own. If I simply turn up there, he won't have much choice, will he?"
"You're aware, of course, that he may be praying for you to put in an appearance? That you could be running your head into a noose?"
"That had occurred to me," Lomax said calmly.
Van Horn got to his feet and moved to the balustrade. For a moment he stood there looking out to sea and then he turned. "I can't say I approve of all this, Lomax. Frankly, I don't think it really matters any more, but if I can help in any way, I will. You're welcome to borrow the jeep for a start."
Lomax shook his head. "Thanks all the same, but I could do with some time to work things out. I think I'll walk over the mountain."
"Can't I persuade you to stay for supper?"
"I don't think so. For one thing, I don't want Katina to get involved too much in this business. If she knows I intend seeing her uncle, she might try to prevent me."
"What shall I tell her?"
Lomax shrugged, "Anything you like. Say that I'll be in touch. That I want to think things over on my own."
Van Horn looked as if he intended to argue, but Lomax turned quickly, went through the house and out into the garden. As he moved towards the main gates, someone called his name and Yanni emerged from the yard.
"Aren't you staying for supper?"
Lomax shook his head. "I've got pressing business, son. Something that can't wait. Tell Katina how sorry I am."
Yanni's young face was solemn. "You looking for trouble again, Mr. Lomax?"
Lomax grinned. "It's usually the other way round. You go back in the house now. I'll see you tomorrow."
He moved across the road and started up the hillside. It was that quiet period half-way between evening and night and strangely still. He could hear a dog barking in the distance and the scent of woodsmoke drifted on a small wind from some shepherd's hut.
When he stopped to rest, he leaned against a boulder and lit a cigarette. He had been aware for some time that