‘Tell him, please, that I have returned and I will see him in half an hour,’ Helga said.
The elevator was waiting as she walked quickly across the lobby, aware the chatter of voices had hushed and people were looking at her from the corners of their eyes.
Unlocking the door to her suite, she entered, glanced at the two piles of telegrams and cables on the table, grimaced and went into her bedroom. The avalanche had begun.
She took a shower, put on a blue linen dress, arranged her hair, looked at herself thoughtfully in the mirror and her lips twisted into a hard little smile.
Moving out on to the terrace, she sat in the shade of a sun umbrella, crossing her long, beautiful legs, and forced herself to relax.
In the future she must be much more careful about picking up strange men, she thought. This Jackson business could have ended in a disaster. She lit a cigarette. She must control herself until she was once again in Europe.
Jackson!
He had certainly fooled her with his frank, friendly smile. Harmless! As harmless as a black mamba! She had handled him well, she thought, and was pleased with herself. No harm trying. The fool! He had nothing in writing from Herman: just a telephone call. It showed what a fool he was even to have thought he could get ten thousand dollars from her with such an empty threat. She was sure he wouldn’t dare approach Winborn. Even he had said Winborn looked a hard character. Although Winborn, out of spite, might believe him, he would certainly give him no money. He would dismiss him with a flick of his fingers. The situation, at the time unpleasant, was now taken care of. Mr. Jackson could turn his attention to spying elsewhere. She was glad that he would be out of pocket.
But she really must control her feelings. This was the second time she had narrowly escaped being blackmailed. If only handsome, muscular men didn’t react on her the way a drink reacted to an alcoholic: this was something she must fight, knowing she had told herself this over and over again.
At least she felt confident now that Jackson knew he wasn’t going to get any money he would call off his spies, but she mustn’t take any chances. She must return to Switzerland: there were safe opportunities.
Winborn arrived at 17.45.
‘The situation,’ he began, once he had settled himself, ‘is a little complicated. May I ask if you have a power of attorney on your husband’s banking account?’
She shook her head.
‘Nor have I nor Loman.’
‘This unexpected happening ties up Mr. Rolfe’s personal account. There will be considerable expenses. How are you off for money, Mrs. Rolfe?’
‘I have my own account but it is running low. I have access to the Swiss account. Dividends are continually coming in. I can transfer money from Switzerland to my account.’
Winborn lifted his eyebrows.
‘With the regulations as they are, Mrs. Rolfe, I suggest that would be most unwise.’
She hadn’t considered this and she was annoyed at her sloppy thinking.
‘Yes, stupid of me.’ She saw her opening. ‘I could get to Lausanne and get traveller’s cheques.’
He nodded.
‘That would be the wisest thing to do. The Corporation will take care of Mr. Rolfe.’ He looked at her. ‘And you too, of course.’
‘I prefer to have my own money,’ Helga said curtly. ‘When Herman is safely back home and out of danger, I will take a quick trip.’
Winborn turned a heavy gold signet ring on his little finger as he said, ‘Dr. Levi appears to be more optimistic, but these next days will be anxious ones. Have you any idea how I can get in touch with his daughter, Sheila?’
Startled, Helga looked at him.
‘None at alclass="underline" I have never met her. Have you?’
‘Yes, indeed: a remarkable young woman... one might even say extraordinary.’
‘Oh? In what way?’ Helga was suddenly curious, knowing that this girl would inherit a million dollars.
Winborn continued to fidget with his ring.
‘She took a first in History at Oxford. I understand she was the youngest ever to graduate. She took a brilliant degree in economics later. Both your husband and I expected her to do great things and there was an important position waiting for her in the corporation.’ He lifted his shoulders in a resigned shrug. ‘Unfortunately, she became involved in these tiresome anti-movements that seem to be the disease of the young. Your husband always kept her well supplied with money and she used this money to further the cause of minority groups until she was finally arrested with others involved in gun smuggling. It cost a lot of money and trouble to keep her out of prison. Your husband and she quarrelled over this. He warned her that if she didn’t conform to his plans for her he would cut her off. It was not the way to handle her. She walked out and I’ve heard nothing of her since.’
‘Good for her,’ Helga said and meant it.
‘Yes... she has a lot of character, like her father. It does occur to me at this distressing time, Sheila who was and I hope still is fond of her father, might want to see him and he her. That’s why I am asking if you knew where she was.’
‘I don’t, but the news of his stroke must reach her. Every newspaper in the world will report it.’
‘Yes. Well, we must wait and see.’ He paused, then went on, ‘I have a little puzzle you might help me to solve, Mrs. Rolfe. Nurse Fairely tells me that your husband is apparently trying to convey a message to her.’
Helga stiffened.
‘Oh?’
‘Nurse Fairely has considerable experience with patients suffering a stroke. She is used to their inarticulate sounds. She believes your husband is repeating continually the odd phrases: “Sin on. Better law,” and she tells me he points to the bedroom door. These words convey nothing to me. Do they to you?’
Helga relaxed.
‘Sin on. Better law?’ She frowned. ‘How odd. No, they mean nothing to me.’
‘Well, perhaps Nurse Fairely will be able to enlighten us later.’ Winborn glanced at his watch. ‘I must go, Mrs. Rolfe.’
He spent a few more minutes assuring her the corporation was in excellent hands, that she had only to telephone him if she were in need of assistance and that Dr. Levi had promised to keep in touch with him. All this was said in a cold, polite voice while he stood, gazing down at her with his steely grey eyes.
When he had gone, Hinkle appeared with a shaker and a glass on a tray.
‘I trust you had a pleasant swim, madame,’ he said as he poured the drink.
‘Yes, thank you, Hinkle.’ She took the glass. ‘Mr. Winborn has gone.’
A slight frown appeared on Hinkle’s face, but it immediately disappeared.
‘So I observed, madame.’
‘He was asking if I knew where Sheila could be found. He thought she should be told. You wouldn’t know by any chance?’
Hinkle inclined his head.
‘Yes, I know, madame, Miss Sheila writes to me from time to time. She and I, I am happy to say, have never lost contact. Miss Sheila is good enough, so she tells me, to be fond of me.’
Helga smiled at him.
‘That I can understand. Where is she?’
‘In Paris, madame. Excuse me if I don’t give you the address. She gave it to me in confidence.’
‘Of course. Do you think she would want to see her father?’
‘I trust so, madame. I have already written to her, explaining Mr. Rolfe’s condition. It is for her to decide. I would like to think she will come, but there could be financial difficulties. Miss Sheila appears to be living rough.’ Hinkle looked disapproving. ‘That, I believe, is the phrase. She may not be able to raise the money for the fare.’
‘I could send her the money.’
Hinkle shook his head.
‘I feel that would be unwise. If I may suggest, madame, it is better to wait and see if she replies to my letter. If she does and needs money, may I approach you?’