Tanner tried to focus. First his eyes, then his thoughts. They were all looking at him, even Raymond, still sobbing by the door of his room.
«Isn’t anybody here?» Tanner couldn’t help himself. Where were Fassett’s men? Where in God’s name were they?
«Who, darling?» Ali put her arm around his waist in case he fell again.
«Nobody here.» It was a statement said softly.
«We’re here. And we’re calling the police. Right now!» Bernie put Tanner’s hand on the staircase railing and walked him downstairs.
Tanner looked at the thin, strong man helping him down the steps. Didn’t Bernie understand? He was Omega. His wife was Omega! He couldn’t phone the police!
«The police? You want the police?»
«I certainly do. If that was a joke, it’s the sickest I’ve ever seen. You’re damned right I want them. Don’t you?»
«Yes. Of course.»
They reached the living room; Osterman took command.
«Ali, you call the police! If you don’t know the number, dial the operator!» And then he went into the kitchen.
Where were Fassett’s men?
Alice crossed to the beige telephone behind the sofa. In an instant it was clear she didn’t have to dial.
The beam of a searchlight darted back and forth through the front windows and danced against the wall of the living room. Fassett’s men had arrived at last.
At the sound of the front door chimes, Tanner wrenched himself off the couch and into the hallway.
«We heard some yelling and saw the light on. Is everything all right?» It was Jenkins and he barely hid his anxiety.
«You’re a little late!» Tanner said quietly. «You’d better come on in! Omega’s been here.»
«Take it easy.» Jenkins walked into the hallway, followed by McDermott.
Osterman came out of the kitchen.
«Jesus! You people are fast!»
«Twelve-to-eight shift, sir,» said Jenkins. «Saw the lights on and people running around. That’s unusual at this hour.»
«You’re very alert and we’re grateful…»
«Yes, sir.» Jenkins interrupted and walked into the living room. «Is anything the matter, Mr. Tanner? Can you tell us or would you rather speak privately?»
«There’s nothing private here, officer.» Osterman followed the policemen and spoke before Tanner could answer. «There’s a dog upstairs in the first bedroom on the right. It’s dead.»
«Oh?» Jenkins was confused. He turned back to Tanner.
«Its head was cut off. Severed. We don’t know who did it.»
Jenkins spoke calmly. «I see… We’ll take care of it.» He looked over at his partner in the hallway. «Get the casualty blanket, Mac.»
«Right.» McDermott went back outside.
«May I use your phone?»
«Of course.»
«Captain MacAuliff should be informed. I’ll have to call him at home.»
Tanner didn’t understand. This wasn’t a police matter. It was Omega! What was Jenkins doing? Why was he calling MacAuliff? He should be reaching Fassett! MacAuliff was a local police officer, acceptable, perhaps, but fundamentally a political appointment. MacAuliff was responsible to the Saddle Valley town council, not to the United States government. «Do you think that’s necessary? At this hour? I mean, is Captain …»
Jenkins cut Tanner off abruptly. «Captain MacAuliff is the Chief of Police. He’d consider it very abnormal if I didn’t report this directly to him.»
In an instant Tanner understood. Jenkins had given him the key.
Whatever happened, whenever it happened, however it happened—there could be no deviation from the norm.
This was the Chasm of Leather.
And it struck Tanner further that Jenkins was making his phone call for the benefit of Bernard and Leila Osterman.
Captain Albert MacAuliff entered the Tanner house and immediately made his authority clear. Tanner watched him deliver his instructions to the police officers, in a low, commanding voice. He was a tall, obese man, with a thick neck which made his shirt collar bulge. His hands were thick, too, but strangely immobile, hanging at his sides as he walked—the mark of a man who’d spent years patrolling a beat on foot, shifting his heavy club from one hand to the other.
MacAuliff had been recruited from the New York police and he was a living example of the right man for the right job. Years ago the town council had gone on record that it wanted a no-nonsense man, someone who’d keep Saddle Valley clear of undesirable elements. And the best defense in these days of permissiveness was offense.
Saddle Valley had wanted a mercenary.
It had hired a bigot.
«All right, Mr. Tanner, I’d like a statement. What happened here tonight?»
«We … we had a small party for friends.»
«How many?»
«Four couples. Eight people.»
«Any hired help?»
«No… No, no help.»
MacAuliff looked at Tanner, putting his notebook at his side. «No maid?»
«No.»
«Did Mrs. Tanner have anyone in during the afternoon? To help out?»
«No.»
«You’re sure?»
«Ask her yourself.» Ali was in the study where they’d made makeshift beds for the children.
«It could be important. While you were at work she might have had some coloreds or P.R.’s here.»
Tanner saw Bernie recoil. «I was home all day.»
«Okay.»
«Captain,» Osterman stepped forward from Leila’s side. «Somebody broke into this house and slit that dog’s throat. Isn’t it possible that it was a thief? Mr. and Mrs. Tanner were robbed last Wednesday. Shouldn’t we check …»
It was as far as he got. MacAuliff looked at the writer and scarcely disguised his contempt. «I’ll handle this, Mr…» The Police Chief glanced at his notebook. «Mr. Osterman. I’d like Mr. Tanner to explain what happened here tonight. I’d appreciate it if you’d let him answer. We’ll get to you in good time.»
Tanner kept trying to get Jenkins’ attention, but the policeman avoided his eyes. The news director didn’t know what to say—or what specifically not to say.
«Now then, Mr. Tanner,» MacAuliff sat down and returned to his notebook, pencil poised. «Let’s start at the beginning. And don’t forget things like deliveries.»
Tanner was about to speak when McDermott’s voice could be heard from the second floor.
«Captain! Can I see you a minute? The guest room.»
Without saying anything, Bernie started up the stairs in front of MacAuliff, Leila following.
Instantly, Jenkins approached Tanner’s chair and bent over. «I’ve only got time to say this once. Listen and commit! Don’t bring up any Omega business. None of it. Nothing! I couldn’t say it before, the Ostermans were hovering over you.»
«Why not? For Christ’s sake, this is Omega business!… What am I supposed to say? Why shouldn’t I?»
«MacAuliff’s not one of us. He’s not cleared for anything… Just tell the truth about your party. That’s all!»
«You mean he doesn’t know?»
«He doesn’t. I told you, he’s not cleared.»
«What about the men outside, the patrols in the woods?»
«They’re not his men… If you bring it up he’ll think you’re crazy. And the Ostermans will know. If you point at me I’ll deny everything you say. You’ll look like a psycho.»
«Do you people think that MacAuliff …»
«No. He’s a good cop. He’s also a small-time Napoleon so we can’t use him. Not openly. But he’s conscientious, he can help us. Get him to find where the Tremaynes and the Cardones went.»
«Cardone was drunk. Tremayne drove them all home.»
«Find out if they went straight home. MacAuliff loves interrogations; he’ll nail them if they’re lying.»