Susan came out into the corridor. She did not hesitate, opening the front door, she walked down the steps into the street.
“Leave this to me,” Adams said, running into the sitting room and grabbing his hat. “There’s something very wrong here. She looked as if she were in a trance. Don’t worry. I’ll follow her.”
Without waiting, he set off after the slim, shadowy figure, walking rapidly down the street.
chapter six
From a darkened doorway Butch watched Rollo leave his car and enter Doc Martin’s little house.
Butch had also heard of Doe’s diary and as soon as he realized the danger of such a document, he had immediately gone to Doc’s house. He arrived one minute behind Rollo and now, standing in the doorway, his hand on his gun, he tried to make up his mind what to do.
The obvious thing, of course, was to grab the diary as Rollo came out. If he did that and there was nothing in the diary about him and Celie, then he had ruined his chances with Rollo for good.
Rollo was not likely to let him take the diary without a fight. He would have to kill Rollo and in spite of the pressing danger, he flinched away from that thought. If he killed Rollo, he would have to knock off Long Tom. Long Tom was no fool. He also carried a gun and by the time Butch had settled Rollo, it was likely that Long Tom would have settled Butch.
While he was hesitating, Rollo came out of the house and entered his car.
Butch started forward, but he had left it too late. The big car moved out of the mews and turned into New Bond Street.
Cursing under his breath, Butch raced to where he had left his own car and followed on behind. In a few minutes it became obvious that Rollo was heading for Gilroy’s place. Why Gilroy?
Butch asked himself as he stopped his car in a side street, a few yards from Greek Street. He ran swiftly to the comer in time to see Rollo’s huge form disappearing into Athen Court. He ducked into a doorway, waited.
What was Rollo doing with Gilroy? Butch edged fur-flier into the dark shadows as Long Tom got out of the car and lit a cigarette. It looked as if Rollo was going to be some time. Long Tom was now walking slowly up and down near the car. He looked into Athen Court each time as he passed as if he was impatient for Rollo to appear again.
It was nearly half an hour before Rollo came out of the alley. He stood for a moment talking to Long Tom and then they both got into the car.
Butch raced once more for his car and followed Rollo’s red tail light along Shaftesbury Avenue and into Piccadilly.
Was Rollo going to see Celie? Butch asked himself or was he now going to begin the hunt for Cornelius’ body? He gripped the steering wheel angrily. He had no idea how to find Cornelius.
But he was sure that Rollo had thought of something. Rollo’s shrewd brain irritated Butch, who knew that he wasn’t a match for Rollo’s wits. He knew his only hope of getting Weidmann’s money was to keep close to Rollo. If Rollo couldn’t find the money, then no one could.
Well, Rollo wasn’t going to see Celie. The car had swept past the Berkeley Hotel and was now moving along Park Lane.
Was he going to turn into Shepherd Market? No, the car kept on, although it was slowing down. Butch threw out his clutch and coasted along behind, his foot hovering over the brake pedal.
Rollo’s car turned into Hyde Park and then stopped. Butch had to think quickly. He went past the Park gates and pulled up a few hundred yards further on. Leaving his car, he ran hurriedly back to where he could see Rollo’s car. Neither Long Tom nor Rollo had got out. Butch could just make out their silhouettes. Rollo was smoking a . cigar. The red, burning tip glowed in the darkness.
Butch watched the car for several minutes, then as neither Rollo nor Long Tom made a move, he began to grow impatient. What were they up to? They weren’t talking to each other, in fact, Long Tom had sunk down behind the steering wheel and seemed to be going to sleep. Butch crept closer. Perhaps they were waiting for someone—but, who?
He clenched his hands angrily. He couldn’t hang about the Park gates. Some copper would come along and start asking questions. He would have to get into the Park and hide so that he could watch Rollo and yet not be seen himself.
He made sure that Rollo was not looking in his direction, then he slipped into the Park, and keeping in the shadows, well away from the stationary car, he walked softly across the grass to a nearby clump of shrubbery. He settled down on the grass out of sight and waited.
The minutes dragged by and then, suddenly, Rollo opened the car door and stepped out. He touched off the long white ash from his cigar as he looked up and down the moonlit avenue of the Park.
A few taxis still bowled rapidly through the Park and a few stragglers loitered in the street beyond. It was a fine night and London was reluctant to go to bed.
Rollo glanced at his watch. It was ten minutes past one. He had no idea how long he would have to wait, but he had an odd feeling that Gilroy would, somehow or other, deliver the goods’. He had said the girl would come and Rollo believed him. He had to believe him as he had no alternative. If the girl did not come then he had no idea how he was to find Cornelius’ body.
He sat himself down on the running board of the car and began to read Doc’s diary. As he read, he again felt an overpowering desire to punish Celie. He closed the book impatiently when he had assured himself that it contained no further reference to Butch or Celie and put it in his pocket.
He got up and began to pace up and down. He had an odd feeling that he was being watched, but after looking round carefully and not seeing anyone, he decided that he was getting nervy.
Long Tom stuck his head out of the window. “ ‘Ow much longer do we ‘ave to wait?” he whined. “I could do with a good night’s kip, boss. Can’t we go ‘ome?”“
His thin voice reached Butch who grinned sourly. He too would be glad to go to bed, but he wasn’t going to leave Rollo for a second.
“Shut up,” Rollo growled, scowling at Long Tom. “We may have to stay here until daylight.”
“Oh Gawd!” Long Tom groaned, and settled himself once more down in his seat. He closed his eyes and tried to doze.
When Rollo had finished his cigar, he got back into the car. He was feeling heavy and tired, but he knew he could not afford to doze’. Gilroy had said she would come and he must not miss her.
It was nearly a quarter-past two, before Susan Hedder walked into the Park.
Butch was the first to see her and he nearly sprang to his feet, but restrained himself in time. He looked quickly across at Rollo’s car. Rollo had the door already open and was getting out. In his excitement, he had shoved Long Tom violently and Long Tom was cursing under his breath.
The three men from their various positions, watched Susan with concentrated attention.
Susan walked stiffly into the Park and then when she was quite close to Rollo’s car, she stopped.
Rollo stared at her. The moonlight lit her face and he could see her eyes were blank and her face expressionless. She was looking straight through him and after a moment’s uneasiness, he suddenly realized that she was not aware of his presence.
She stood there for some moments and then turning abruptly on her heel, she walked swiftly, with stiff, gliding steps towards the Park gates.
“Come on,” Rollo said. “Leave the car. We mustn’t lose sight of her.”
He set off after Susan without waiting for Long Tom. It was happening just as Gilroy had said. He knew now that Susan was leading him to Cornelius’ body. He was so excited that he did not take his usual, elaborate precautions.” Nothing interested him now but the chance he would have before long of laying his hands on three million pounds. He threw caution to the winds.