Chapter Four
Magarth came out on to the sun-drenched verandah, sat down, stretched out his long legs, closed his eyes.
‘A pint of black coffee laced with brandy might set me up,’ he said, smothered a yawn, ‘but it’s bed I really want. And I’ve got to go see the Sheriff in a moment.’
‘You shall have your coffee, precious,’ Veda said. ‘But you’re not going to leave here until you’ve given me some sort of explanation. Surely it’s not asking too much, since you’ve turned my house into a hospital. I’m sure you have your reasons, but I do feel I should be told what goes on.’
Magarth opened one eye, grinned. He thought Veda looked very nice in her apricot-coloured linen frock and he reached out to pat her hand.
‘They holed her up in Doc Fleming’s cellar,’ he said briefly. ‘When Kamp went in after her, she turned off the main switch, and I caused what is known as a diversion, and she escaped. I went after her, caught her up, made friends. I arranged to get my car and go with her to where she had left Larson. I left her in the wood and got my car. When I returned she had vanished. So I collected Larson and brought him here. Doc Kober will let us know what he thinks of him when he comes down.’
‘But why didn’t you take the poor lamb to hospital? Why bring him here?’
‘Because he’s in danger,’ Magarth said patiently. ‘You don’t know what these two thugs are like.’
‘What two thugs?’ Veda asked, bewildered.
‘The Sullivans: the professional killers. If half what I’ve heard about them is true they’ve committed dozens of murders and have never left a clue or a witness. But this time they’ve slipped up. Larson saw them kill his brother. He managed to tell me that much before he passed out. His evidence would send them to the chair. They’ll try to finish him, and the first place they’d look for him is the hospital. We’ll have to keep him under cover until he’s well enough to make a statement.’
Veda nodded.
‘But are you really sure these two won’t find him here?’
‘Not a chance. There’s no connection between you and Larson — why should they?’
‘Well, that’s a relief,’ Veda said. ‘Now tell me about the Blandish girl. What happened to her?’
‘I don’t know,’ Magarth admitted, worried. ‘She either didn’t trust me or...’ He shook his head. ‘There was a big black Packard parked outside Doc Fleming’s house when I arrived. I was so anxious to get inside the house I didn’t give it a thought. But it had gone when I returned for my car, and I’m wondering. The Sullivans may have got her.’
‘Haven’t you got the Sullivans on the brain, my pet?’ Veda asked. ‘They can’t be here, there and everywhere.’
‘That’s just what they can be,’ Magarth said. ‘I’ll have to tell Kamp. We’ll need protection out here, just in case. God help the Blandish girl if the Sullivans have got her.’
‘But you haven’t told me what she’s like,’ Veda said with pardonable curiosity. ‘Have you actually talked with her?’
‘Sure. She looks as sane as you do,’ Magarth returned. ‘I can’t make it out. She’s a marvellous-looking girl, and obviously head over heels in love with Larson. She’s the kind of girl who loves but once and sticks to her man like glue.’
‘So am I,’ Veda said softly. ‘Only the rat I’ve fallen in love with doesn’t know it.’
‘Don’t let’s talk about rats,’ Magarth said hurriedly. ‘They’re timid creatures and don’t like to be talked about.’
‘I’ve noticed they’re not so timid at night,’ Veda said softly.
At this moment Dr. Kober joined them.
‘He’s bad,’ he said abruptly. ‘It’ll be touch and go. The next three days will decide whether or not he pulls through. He should really be in hospital.’
‘It wouldn’t be safe,’ Magarth said. ‘I’m seeing the Sheriff right away, Doc. These guys will have another go at him, and that’s why he must stay here. Miss Banning will foot all the bills, so spare no expense. Can you stay here with him?’
‘That’s impossible,’ Kober returned. ‘But I’ll be coming in twice a day. Nurse Davies knows what to do. There’s not much we can do for him now. It depends entirely on his stamina, which is good. But he’s lost a lot of blood. I shall have to report this, Magarth.’
‘I’ll come with you,’ Magarth said, getting to his feet. ‘If you’ll give me two minutes to drink this coffee,’ he added as the maid came out with a tray, ‘I’ll be with you.’
‘I’ll wait for you in my car,’ Kober said, and took leave of Veda.
‘You’ll make yourself entirely at home, precious, won’t you?’ she said when Kober had gone. ‘If there are any of your other friends who’d like rooms—’
Magarth swallowed his coffee, slipped his arm round her waist.
‘Don’t be mad at me, sugar,’ he said. ‘You’ll get your picture in the newspaper when the danger is over, and everyone will think you are a heroine. Besides, if this pans out the way I think it’ll pan out, me and my friends will move in here for good. You’ll love that, won’t you?’
Sheriff Kamp sat in his dusty little office, his feet on his desk, a dead cigar clamped between his teeth.
Simon Hartman had just left, and it had been a difficult interview. Hartman had accused Magarth of engineering Carol’s escape; he had also charged Kamp with incompetency, and had thrown out hints of going to higher authority. Kamp was worried. He now had only six days in which to find the girl, and he had no idea where to look for her.
He gave a ferocious grunt when Magarth lounged into the office.
‘I want you,’ he said, bringing his feet to the floor with a crash. ‘You’re the guy who let that damned girl escape.’
Magarth drew up a chair, flopped into it.
‘Not intentionally,’ he said, lighting a cigarette, ‘although maybe I did lose my head for a moment. But your fellas weren’t so hot, either. You can’t pick on me.’
‘I can and I’m going to,’ Kamp said grimly. ‘Hartman’s been in here raising Cain, and he’s yelling for your blood.’
‘And have you asked yourself why?’ Magarth asked calmly. ‘He’s scared stiff the girl will come into her money. I bet he’s been dipping his paws into the Trust and funks an investigation.’
Kamp’s eyes popped.
‘That’s a pretty serious accusation.’
‘I know, and I wouldn’t make it to anyone but you. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think so. My editor is looking into Hartman’s background and we’ll keep you informed. Bat there’s something more important in the wind. Ever heard of the Sullivan brothers?’
‘Sure, but that’s just a fairy tale. The Sullivans don’t exist. They’re an alibi for any unsolved murder.’
‘Don’t kid yourself,’ Magarth said, hitching up his chair. ‘They not only exist, but they’re here. They killed Steve Larson’s brother last night and they shot and badly wounded Steve.’
‘I didn’t know Larson had a brother,’ Kamp said, sitting bolt upright.
‘If you knew everything you’d probably be President,’ Magarth returned. ‘Larson has, or rather had, a brother: a smalltime gangster who got in bad with Little Bernie. The Sullivans were hired to kill him. Roy holed himself up at Blue Mountain Summit, but the Sullivans tracked him down. And here’s something else. A week before the Sullivans arrived Steve Larson found Carol Blandish in the wrecked truck and took her to his place. She’s been there ever since.’
‘What?’ Kamp roared, springing to his feet.
‘Watch your blood pressure,’ Magarth said, grinned at the sight of Kamp’s astonished expression. ‘Larson had no idea who the girl was. Roy wouldn’t let him move from the farm and he had no means of learning the girl had escaped. Apparently she received a crack on her head and has lost her memory. She doesn’t know who she is.’