It was part of his plan.
«Who called?» asked Bernie.
«Dick. He heard what happened… He’s taking the family and leaving.»
The Ostermans exchanged looks.
«Where?»
«He didn’t say. They’ve got a flight in the morning.»
«He didn’t say where he was going?» Bernie stood up casually but couldn’t hide his anxiety.
«I told you. He wouldn’t tell me.»
«That’s not what you said.» Osterman looked at Tanner. «You said ‘didn’t say.’ That’s different from not telling you.»
«I suppose it is… You still think we should head down to Washington?»
«What?» Osterman was looking at his wife. He hadn’t heard Tanner’s question.
«Do you still think we should go to Washington?»
«Yes.» Bernie stared at Tanner. «Now more than ever. You need protection. Real protection… They’re trying to kill you, John.»
«I wonder. I wonder if it’s me they’re trying to kill.»
«What do you mean?» Leila stood up, facing Tanner.
The telephone rang.
Tanner returned quickly to the study and picked up the receiver. It was MacAuliff.
«Listen,» said Tanner quietly. «I want you to describe exactly—exactly—where Tremayne was during your interrogation.»
«In his study.»
«Where in his study?»
«At his desk. Why?»
«Did he get up? Did he walk around? To shake your hand, for instance?»
«No… No, I don’t think so. No, he didn’t.»
«What about his wife? She let you in?»
«No. The maid. Tremayne’s wife was upstairs. She was sick. We verified that; called the doctor, remember?»
«All right. Now tell me about the Cardones. Where did you find them?»
«Spoke first with his wife. One of the kids let me in. She was lying on the sofa, her husband was in the garage.»
«Where did you talk with him?»
«I just told you. In the garage. I didn’t get there too soon either. He’s on his way to Philadelphia. His father’s sick. They gave him last rites.»
«Philadelphia?… Where exactly was he?»
«In the garage, I said! His bags were packed. He was in the car. He told me to be quick. He wanted to take off.»
«He was in the car?»
«That’s right.»
«Didn’t that seem strange to you?»
«Why should it? For Christ’s sake, his father’s dying! He wanted to get the hell to Philadelphia. I’ll check it out.»
Tanner hung up the phone.
Neither couple was seen by MacAuliff under normal conditions. None stood, none walked. Both had reasons not to be at his house on Sunday.
Tremayne behind a desk, frightened, immobile.
Cardone seated in an automobile, anxious only to drive away.
One or both wounded.
One or both, perhaps, Omega.
The time had come. Outside the rain had stopped; his traveling would be easier now, although the woods would still be wet.
In the kitchen, he changed into the clothes he’d carried down from the bedroom: black trousers, a black long-sleeved sweater, and sneakers. He put money in his pocket, making sure that his change included at least six dimes. Finally, he clipped a pencil-light to the top of his sweater.
Then he went to the hallway door and called Ali into the kitchen. He dreaded this moment far more than anything which lay before him. Yet there was no other way. He knew he had to tell her.
«What are you doing? Why—»
Tanner held his finger to his lips and drew her close to him. They had walked to the far end of the kitchen by the garage door, the furthest point from the hallway. He whispered calmly to her.
«Remember I asked you to trust me?»
Ali nodded her head slowly.
«I’m going out for a while; just for a little while. I’m meeting a couple of men who can help us. MacAuliff made contact.»
«Why can’t they come here? I don’t want you to go outside. You can’t go outside!»
«There’s no other practical way. It’s been arranged,» he lied, knowing she suspected the lie. «I’ll phone you in a little while. You’ll know everything’s all right then. But until I do, I want you to tell the Ostermans I went for a walk… I’m upset, anything you like. It’s important they think you believe I went for a walk. That I’ll be back any minute. Maybe I’m talking to some of the men outside.»
«Who are you going to meet? You’ve got to tell me.»
«Fassett’s men.»
She held his gaze. The lie was established between them now and she searched his eyes. «You have to do this?» she asked quietly.
«Yes.» He embraced her roughly, anxious to leave, and walked rapidly to the kitchen door.
Outside he strolled about his property, establishing his presence with the police deputies in front and back of his house, to the point where he guessed he was no longer really watched. And then, when he felt no one was looking at him, he disappeared into the woods.
He made a wide circle towards the west, using the tiny beam of the pencil light to avoid obstacles. The wetness, the softness of the earth, made the going difficult, but eventually he saw the backyard lights of his neighbors the Scanlans, three hundred feet from his property line. He was soaked as he approached the Scanlans’ back porch and rang the bell.
Fifteen minutes later—again longer than Tanner had anticipated—he climbed into Scanlan’s Mercedes coupe and started the engine. Scanlan’s Smith & Wesson magazine-clip pistol was in his belt, three extra clips of ammunition in his pocket.
Tanner swung left down Orchard Drive toward the center of the Village. It was past midnight; he was behind the schedule he had set.
He took momentary stock of himself and his actions. He had never considered himself an exceptionally brave man. Whatever courage he had ever displayed was always born of the moment. And he wasn’t feeling courageous now. He was desperate.
It was strange. His fear—the profound, deeply felt terror he had lived with for days—now created its own balance, gave birth to its own anger. Anger at being manipulated. He could accept it no longer.
Saddle Valley was quiet, the main street softly lit by replicas of gas lamps, the storefronts in keeping with the town’s image of quiet wealth. No neons, no floodlights, everything subdued.
Tanner drove past The Village Pub and the taxi stand, made a U-turn, and parked. The public telephone was directly across from the Mercedes. He wanted the car positioned far enough away so he could see the whole area. He walked across the street and made his first call.
«It’s Tanner, Tremayne. Be quiet and listen to me… Omega’s finished. It’s being disbanded. I’m calling it off. Zurich’s calling it off. We’ve put you through the final test and you’ve failed. The stupidity displayed by everyone is beyond belief! I’m issuing the phase-out orders tonight. Be at the Lassiter depot at two-thirty. And don’t try to call my home. I’m phoning from the Village. I’ll take a taxi to the area. My house is being watched, thanks to all of you! Be at the depot at two-thirty and bring Virginia. Omega’s collapsed! If you want to get out alive, be there… Two-thirty!»
Tanner pressed down the receiver. The Cardones next.
«Betty? It’s Tanner. Listen closely. You get hold of Joe and tell him Omega is finished. I don’t care how you do it, but get him back here. That’s an order from Zurich. Tell him that!… Omega’s collapsed. You’ve all been damn fools. Disabling my cars was stupid. I’m issuing phase-out orders tonight at the Lassiter depot at two-thirty. You and Joe be there! Zurich expects you. And don’t try to phone me back. I’m calling from the Village. My house is watched. I’ll take a taxi. Remember. The Lassiter depot—tell Joe.»