The Valhalla Exchange - Jack Higgins [85]
'I'm counting on you, Johann.'
'I'll try, Herr Doktor.' Meyer looked distinctly unhappy. 'I'll do my best, but I can't promise more than that.'
He went out and the guard made to close the door, but Gaillard shook his head. He picked up his doctor's bag, brushed past him and went down the corridor to the next room. Claire de Beauville was lying down, and when the Finn tried to follow him in, Gaillard shut the door in his face.
She started to get up and Gaillard sat on the edge of the bed. 'No, stay where you are. How do you feel now?'
'A little better.'
'Not if someone comes in, you don't. You feel very ill indeed.'
'The sentry?'
'No, he's been rather more amenable since standing by and watching while I patched up two of his comrades in a room along the corridor. Casualties of some fracas up at the castle.' He opened his bag and took out a stethoscope. 'I haven't got long so listen carefully. This man Strasser or whoever he is. Do you still wish to serve him?'
She shuddered. 'What do you think?'
He glanced at his watch. 'In less than an hour they mount a general assault on Schloss Arlberg. Everything they've got. No holds barred.'
Her eyes widened. 'Claudine, Hamilton and the others - they won't stand a chance.'
'Exactly, so someone must go for help.'
'But how?'
'Meyer is hiding ski-ing equipment for me in the wood store at the back of the inn. Getting out is my own affair. Will you help?'
'Of course.' Her hand tightened on his and she smiled sadly. 'If you want the help of someone like me.'
'My poor Claire. We are all casualties of war to a greater or lesser degree. Who am I to judge you?' There were voices outside. She lay back hurriedly. The door opened and Strasser entered.
'How is she?'
'Not very well,' Gaillard said. 'I'm afraid a total breakdown is quite possible. She has, after all, gone through a lengthy period of intense stress. Add to this the trauma of more recent events. The news of her husband's death.'
'Yes, all very sad,' Strasser said impatiently. 'However, I want to talk to you.'
'It will have to wait. Madame de Beauville needs my full attention at the moment and I would remind you that I have two badly wounded Finns along the corridor.'
'Ten minutes,' Strasser said. 'That's all you can have, then I want you downstairs in the bar.' His voice was cold, incisive. 'You understand me?'
'Of course, Reichsleiter,' Gaillard told him calmly.
Strasser left, leaving the door open, the Finnish guard standing outside. 'That's bad,' Gaillard said. 'It doesn't give us much time.'
'If you don't go now, you won't go at all, isn't that how it stands?' she said.
'Very probably.'
'Well, then, it's now or never.'
She sat up and swung her legs down, somehow managing to knock his bag to the floor. She reached to pick it up, clumsily disgorging most of the contents, instruments, pill bottles and so on, on the carpet.
'Now look what I've done.'
The Finnish guard moved into the room and stood watching. She started to kneel and Gaillard said, 'It doesn't matter. I'll get them.'
Claire turned to the Finn, trying to look as confused and helpless as possible and he responded as she had hoped. He grinned, unslung his rifle, and put it on the bed, then dropped to one knee beside Gaillard.
She didn't hesitate. There was a cut-glass decanter half-full of water beside her bed. She seized it by the neck and struck with all her strength at the base of the skull. Glass fragmented, bone splintered, the Finn slumped on his face without a sound.
She froze for a few moments, listening, but all was quiet. She said, 'Go, now, Paul.'
'And you?' he asked, standing up.
'Don't worry about me.'
He put his hands on her shoulders, kissed her briefly and hurried out. Claire stood there, looking down at the Finn, surprisingly calm, drained of all emotion and very, very tired. A drink, she thought, that's what I need, and she went out, closing the door behind her.
Gaillard went down the back stairs. As he reached the stone-flagged passage, the door to the courtyard opened and Meyer entered, stamping snow from his