‘Frost!’ The bark in Grandi’s voice would have stopped a train. ‘Come back here! Sit down!’
Frost then knew he had got over one big hurdle, but he also knew there were more hurdles ahead.
He walked back to the chair and sat down.
‘This is the first constructive conversation I’ve had since I’ve come here,’ Grandi said. ‘I’ve talked to the Chief of Police, to Amando, to Marvin. They have all assured me my daughter is safe, now you tell me there is a three percent risk. I want my daughter to be a hundred percent safe. So, tell me about this three percent risk...’
‘The security here is top class,’ said Frost. ‘No one can get on this island without alerting Marvin and myself, and police headquarters. This has been well taken care of, and I can’t fault it.’ He paused, then went on, ‘But if there was an inside man, the guardroom could be vulnerable. In this room are the controls. There are four men who have access to this room: Mr. Amando, Suka, Marvin and myself. Mr. Amando has the habit of checking to see if the night guard is asleep. He enters without warning. Suka brings in meals. To reduce the risk, sir, I suggest that Amando and Suka are no longer allowed into the guardroom. I said there was a three percent risk. If Mr. Amando and Suka are not allowed into the guardroom, the risk is cut to one percent... a minute risk, but still a risk. If a kidnap attempt is made, the police and you will know that there are only two suspects: Marvin and myself. This narrows down the field. Both Marvin and I have been hired by you to protect your daughter. I can speak for him as I speak for myself: we don’t sell out a client.’
Grandi nodded.
‘I go along with your suggestions. I’ll tell Amando and Suka to keep out of the guardroom. From now on, you and Marvin are responsible for my daughter’s safety. Remember that!’
‘Yes, sir.’ Frost got to his feet. ‘There is one more thing. I know I am speaking out of turn, but I think someone should say it. How long are you going to keep a young, healthy woman caged up in this villa? She is virtually a prisoner here. She...’
Grandi cut him short with a savage wave of his hand.
‘You do your job, Frost!’ he barked. ‘When my daughter has learned to behave herself, she will be given more freedom. That’s all!’
‘Yes, sir.’
Frost found Marvin in the guardroom. Closing the door, he gave Marvin a detailed account of his interview with Grandi. Marvin listened, staring thoughtfully at Frost while he talked.
‘So now,’ Frost concluded, ‘we have Amando off our backs. I had to bring Suka into it. I guess he can leave the food trays outside for one of us to collect.’
‘You think there could be a risk... that some smart creep could get at the girl?’ Marvin asked.
‘No way,’ Frost said. ‘I was just getting Amando off our backs.’
Marvin rubbed his chin while he thought, then he grinned.
‘Yeah. You did well, Mike. I’ve always said that creep spoilt the scene. Hats off to you for fixing him!’
‘Let’s hope he stays fixed.’ Frost got to his feet. ‘This is my day off. Do you want me to hang around? I itch for a swim.’
‘You get off, but don’t be late back.’
‘See you. Any idea how long the big shot is staying?’
Marvin grinned.
‘I don’t ask those kind of questions.’
Back in his cabin, Frost changed into slacks and a sweatshirt. He decided he would give Marcia a call. Maybe they could have another session together.
As he moved out of the cabin, he saw the Rolls driving down the drive with Amando at the wheel and Grandi at his side. Looking to his left, he saw Marvin leave the guardroom and start off towards the lagoon.
He paused, seeing in the distance, the three Chinese I gardeners, now relaxed, lifting weeds and ruminating. Then from a clump of flowering shrubs, Gina appeared. Wearing stretched blue pants and a bra, she waved to him, then darted across the lawn towards him. Frost stepped back into the cabin as she joined him and he closed and locked the door.
They faced each other.
‘Mike! I’ve got to talk to you,’ she said breathlessly. ‘You are the only one who can help me! You must help me!’
‘I’ll help you,’ he said, smiling at her. ‘What’s the problem?’
‘Don’t be so goddamn glib!’ she said, her voice shrill. ‘Wait until you hear!’
Frost eyed her. Her face was drawn, she was shivering, little beads of sweat covered her forehead.
‘Take it easy,’ he said, his voice soothing. ‘Sit down. Tell me.’
She dropped into a chair.
‘You are the only one who can help me, Mike.’ She beat her clenched fists on her knees. ‘You’ve got to help me! You can have all the money in the world if you will help me.’
Frost pulled up a chair and sat by her.
‘Tell me,’ he said.
She stared at him, then took hold of his hand, her nails digging into his flesh.
‘No one would believe this! My father is kinky! My father!’ She jumped up and walked around the room, beating her fists together. ‘Imagine! My father!’
Frost watched her, frowning. Was she high? he wondered. You can have all the money in the world if you will help me. Did she mean this? Was she being hysterical?
‘Gina!’ He put a snap in his voice. ‘Quiet down. Tell me.’
She stood for a long moment, her eyes closed, then she came back and sat down beside him.
‘My father is in love with me,’ she said.
Frost stared at her.
‘What’s the problem? Fathers are supposed to love their daughters, aren’t they?’
‘Love!’ Gina screamed at him. ‘Are you so goddamn stupid you want me to spell it out? He doesn’t love me the way fathers love their daughters! He’s kinky. He’s sick! He wants to screw me!’
Shocked, Frost gaped at her.
‘That I can’t believe,’ he said.
‘I’m telling you!’ Again her voice was shrill. ‘My mother killed herself! He didn’t give a damn about her! It was me! You have only to watch him when he is with me! Don’t you think I have enough experience of men to know? That’s why he keeps away from me. He doesn’t trust himself anymore!’
Frost drew in a deep breath.
‘For God’s sake...’
‘I had such a happy time in Rome. I knew the way he was, so I was so very careful. It never crossed his sick mind that I needed sex. Then those stupid creeps tried to kidnap me, and then all the publicity. Then my sick father realised what was going on.’ Her face contorted as she fought back her tears. ‘So he put me in this goddamn prison, and he’ll keep me here so no man can enjoy me and he’ll keep me here until he is dead!’
Frost continued to gape at her. He could think of nothing to say.
‘Mike! You must believe me! You are the only one who can help me!’ She slid off the chair, and on to her knees, catching hold of Frost’s wrists. ‘I can’t go on living like this! Listen, Mike, if he died, I would be free, and I would inherit all his money... billions of dollars!’ Her nails dug into his wrists. ‘Do you understand what I’m saying, Mike? You are the only one who can set me free!’ She released his wrists, and falling forward between his knees, she rested her face against his chest. ‘Mike! I am begging you to kill him.’