alistairmaclean.icestationzebra-第47章

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　 〃Eight　men　murdered；〃　I　said　wonderingly。　〃Eight　men。　You　can　stand　there　and　cheerfully　admit　that　you　are　responsible　for　the　deaths　of　eight　men。〃
　 〃Cheerfully？〃　he　said　consideringly。　〃No；　not　cheerfully。　Fm　a　professional；　and　a　professional　never　kills　unnecessarily。　But　this　time　it　was　necessary。　That's　all。〃
　 〃That's　the　second　time　you've　used　the　word　'professional；'〃　I　said　slowly。　〃I　was　wrong　on　one　theory。　You　weren't　just　suborned　after　the　Zebra　team　had　been　picked。　You've　been　at　this　game　a　long　timeyou're。　too　good　not　to　have　been。〃
　 〃Fifteen　years；　old　lad；〃　Jolly　said　calmly。　〃Kinnaird　and　Iwe　were　the　best　team　in　Britain。　Our　usefulness　in　that　country；；　unfortunately；　is　over。　I　should　imagine　that　our　uhexceptional　talents　can　be　employed　elsewhere。〃
　 〃You　admit　to　all　those　murders？〃　I　asked。
　 He　looked　at　me　in　sudden　cold　speculation。　〃A　damned　funny　question；　Carpenter。　Of　course。　I've　told　you。　Why？〃
　 〃And　do　you；　Kinnaird？〃
　 He　looked　at　me　in　bleak　suspicion。　〃Why　ask？〃
　 〃You　answer　my　question　and　I'll　answer　yours。〃　At　the　corner　of　my　range　of　vision　I　could　see　Jolly　looking　at　me　with　narrowed　eyes。　He　was　very　sensitive　to　atmosphere；　he　knew　there　was　something　off…key。
　 〃You　know　damn　well　what　I　did；　mate；〃　Kinnaird　said　coldly。
　 〃So　there　we　have　it。　In　the　presence　of　no　less　than　twelve　witnesses；　you　both　confess　to　murder。　You　shouldn't　have　done　that；　you　know。　I'll　answer　your　question；　Kinnaird。　I　wanted　to　have　an　oral　confession　from　you　because；　apart　from　the　sheet　of　aluminum　foil　and　something　I'll　mention　in　a　minute；　we　have　no　actual　proof　at　all　against　either　of　you。　But　now　we　have　your　confessions。　Your　great　talents　are　not　going　to　be　used　in　any　other　sphere；　I'm　afraid。　You'll　never　see　that　helicopter　or　that　naval　vessel。　You'll　both　die　jerking　on　the　end　of　a　rope。〃
　 〃What　rubbish　is　this？〃　Jolly　asked　contemptuously。　But　there　was　worry　under　the　contempt。　〃What　last…minute　despairing　bluff　are　you　trying　to　pull；　Carpenter？〃
　 I　ignored　his　question。　I　said：　〃I've　been　on　to　Kinnaird　for　some　sixty　hours　also；　Jolly。　But　I　had　to　play　it　this　way。　Without　letting　you　gain　what　appeared　to　be　the　upper　hand　you　would　never　have　admitted　to　the　crimes。　But　now　you　have。〃
　 〃Don't　fall　for　it；　old　lad；〃　Jolly　said　to　Kinnaird。　〃It's　just　some　desperate　bluff。　He　never　had　any　idea　that　you　were　in　on　this。〃
　 〃When　I　knew　you　were　one　of　the　killers；〃　I　said　to　Jolly；　I　was　almost　certain　Kinnaird　had　to　be　another。　You　shared　the　same　cabin　and　unless　Kinnaird　had　been　sapped　or　drugged　he　had　to　be　in　on　it。　He　was　neither。　He　was　in　on　it。　That　door　wasn't　jammed　when　Naseby　ran　to　the　radio　room　to　warn　youthe　two　of　you　were　leaning　all　your　weight　against　it　to　give　the　impression　that　it　had　been　closed　for　hours　and　that　ice　had　formed。
　 〃By　the　same　token；　young　Grant；　the　assistant　radio　operator；　was　in　cahoots　with　youor　he　wasn't。　If　he　wasn't；　he　would　have　。to　be　silenced。　He　wasn't。　So　you　silenced　him。　After　I'd　caught　on　to　the　two　of　you；　I　had　a　good　look　at　Grant。　I　went　out　and　dug　him　up　from　where　we'd　buried　him。　Rawlings　and　I。　I　found　a　great　big　bruise　at　the　base　of　his　neck。　He　surprised　you　in　something；　or　he　woke　when　you　knifed　or　shot　one　of　Major　Halliwell's　men；　and　you　laid　him　out。　You　didn't　bother　killing　him：　you　were　about　to　set　the　hut　on　fire　and　incinerate　him；　so　killing　would　have　been　pointless。　But　you　didn't　reckon　on　Captain　Folsom　here　going　in　and　bringing　him　outalive。
　 〃That　was　most　damnably　awkward　for　you；　wasn't　it；　Jolly？　He　was　unconscious；　but　when　and　if　he　recovered　consciousness；　he　could　blow　the　whole　works　on　you。　But　you　couldn't　get　at　him　to　finish　him　off；　could　you？　The　bunkhouse　was　full　of　people；　most　of　them　suffering　so　severely　that　sleep　was　impossible　for　them。　When　we　arrived　on　the　scene　you　got　desperate。　Grant　was　showing　signs　of　regaining　consciousness。　You　took　a　chance；　but　not　all　that　much　of　a　chance。　Remember　how　surprised　I　was　to　find　that　you　had　used　up　all　my　morphine？　Well；　I　〃was〃　surprised　then。　But　not　now。　I　know　now　where　it　went。　You　gave　him　an　injection　of　morphineand　you　made　damn　sure　the　hypodermic　held　a　lethal　dose。　Am　I　correct？〃
　 〃You're　cleverer　than　I　thought　you　were；〃　he　said　calmly。　〃Maybe　I　have　misjudged　you　a　little。　But　it　still　makes　no　difference；　old　boy。〃
　 〃I　wonder。　If　I'd　known　about　Kinnaird　so　long；　why　do　you　think　I　allowed　a　situation　to　develop　where　you　could　apparently　turn　the　tables？〃
　 〃'Apparently'　is　not　the　word　you　want。　And　the　answer　to　your　question　is　easy。　You　didn't　know　Kinnaird　〃had〃　a　gun。〃
　 〃No？〃　I　looked　at　Kinnaird。　〃Are　you　sure　that　thing　works？〃
　 〃Don't　e　that　old　stuff　with　me；　mate；〃　Kinnaird　said　in　contempt。
　 〃I　just　wondered；〃　I　said　mildly。　〃I　thought　perhaps　the　petrol　in　the　tractor's　tank　might　have　removed　all　the　lubricating　oil。〃
　 Jolly　came　close　to　me；　his　face　tight　and　cold。　〃You　〃knew〃　about　this？　What　goes　on；　Carpenter？〃
　 〃It　was　actually　mander　Swanson　here　who　found　the　gun　in　the　tank；〃　I　said。　〃You　had　to　leave　it　there　because　you　knew　you'd　all　be　getting　a　good　clean…up　and　medical　examination　when　we　got　you　on　board；　and　it　would　have　been　bound　to　be　discovered。　But　a　murderera　professional；　Jollywill　never　part　with　his　gun　unless　he　is　pelled　to。　I　knew　if　you　got　the　slightest　chance　you　would　go　back　for　it。　So　I　put　it　back　in　the　tank。〃
　 〃The　hell　you　did！〃　Swanson　was　as　nearly　angry　as　I'd　ever　seen　him。　〃Forgot　to　tell　me；　didn't　you7'
　 〃I　must　have。　That　was　after　I'd　cottoned　on　to　you；　Jolly。　I　wasn't　〃absolutely〃　sure　you　had　a　partner；　but　I　knew　if　you　had；　it　must　be　Kinnaird。　So　I　put　the　gun　back　there　in　the　middle　of　the　night　and　I　made　good　and　certain　that　you；　Jolly；　didn't　get　the　chance　to　go　anywhere　near　the　tractor　shed　at　any　time。　But　the　gun　vanished　that　following　morning　when　everyone　was　out　sampling　the　fresh　air。　So　then　I　knew　you　had　an　acplice。　But　the　real　reason　for　planting　that　gun；　of　course；　is　that　without　it　you'd　never　have　talked。　But　now　you　have　talked　and　it's　all　finished。　Put　up　that　gun；　Kinnaird。〃
　 〃I'm　afraid　your　bluff's　run　out；　mate。〃　The　gun　was　pointing　directly　at　my　face。
　 〃Your　last　chance；　Kinnaird。　Please　pay　attention　to　what　I　am　saying。　Put　up　that　gun　or　you　will　be　requiring　the　services　of　a　doctor　within　twenty　seconds。〃
　 He　said　something；　short　and　unprintable。　I　said；　〃It's　on　your　own　head。　Rawlings；　you　know　what　to　do。〃
　 Every　head　turned　toward　Rawlings；　who　was　standing　leaning　negligently　against　a　bulkhead；　his　hands　crossed　lightly　in　front　of　him。　Kinnaird　looked　too；　the　Mauser　following　the　direction　of　his　eyes。　A　gun　barked；　the　sharp；　flat　crack　of　a　Mannlicher…Schoenauer。　Kinnaird　screamed　and　his　gun　spun　from　his　smashed　hand。　Zabrinski；　holding　my　automatic　in　one　hand　and　his　copy　of　the　〃Dolphin　Daze〃now　with　a　neat　charred　hole　through　the　middlein　the　other；　regarded　his　handiwork　admiringly；　then　turned　to　me。　〃Was　that　how　you　wanted　it　done；　Doc？〃
　 〃That　was　exactly　how　I　wanted　it　done；　Zabrinski。　Thank　you　very　much。　A　first…class　job。〃
　 〃A　first…class　job；〃　Rawlings　sniffed。　He　retrieved　the　fallen　Mauser　and　pointed　it　in　Jolly's　general　direction。　〃At　four　feet；　even　Zabrinski　couldn't　miss。〃　He　dug　into　a　pocket；　pulled　out　a　roll　of　bandage；　and　tossed　it　to　Jolly。　〃We　kinda　thought　we　might　be　having　to　use　this；　so　we　came　prepared。　Dr。　Carpenter　said　your　pal　here　would　be　requiring　the　services　of　a　doctor。　He　is。　You're　a　doctor。　Get　busy。〃
　 〃Do　it　yourself；〃　Jolly　snarled。　No　〃old　boy；〃　no　〃old　top。〃　The　bonhomie　was　gone；　and　gone　forever。
　 Rawlings　looked　at　Swanson　and　said　woodenly；　〃Permission　to　hit　Dr。　Jolly　over　the　head　with　this　little　old　gun；　sir？〃
　 〃Permission　granted；〃　Swanson　said　grimly。　But　no　further　persuasion　was　necessary。　Jolly　cursed　and　started　ripping　the　cover　off　the　bandage。
　 For　almost　a　minute　there　was　silence　in　the　room　while　we　watched　Jolly　carry　out　a　rough；　ready　and　far　from　gentle　repair　job　on　Kinnaird's　hand。　Then　Swanson　said　slowly：　〃I　still　don't　understand　how　the　hell　Jolly　got　rid　of　the　film。〃
　 〃It　was　easy。　Ten　minutes'　thinking　and　you'd　get　it。　They　waited　until　we　had　cleared　the　ice　cap；　then　they　took　the　films；　shoved　them　in　a　waterproof　bag；　attached　a　yellow　dye　marker　to　the　bag；　then　pumped　it　out　through　the　garbage…disposal　unit　in　the　galley。　Remember；　they'd　been　on　a　tour　of　the　ship　and　seen　italthough　the　suggestion　was　probably　radioed　them　by　a　naval　expert。　I　had　Rawlings　posted　on　watch　in　the　early　hours　of　this　morning；　and　he　saw　Kinnaird　go　into　the　galley　about　half…past　four。　Maybe　he　just　wanted　a　ham　sandwich；　I　don't　know。　But　Rawlings　says　he　had　the　bag　and　marker　with　him　when　he　sneaked　in　and　empty　hands　when　he　came　out。　The　bag　would　float　to　the　surface　and　the　marker　stain　thousands　of　square　yards　of　water。　The　naval　ship　up　top　would　have　worked　out　our　shortest　route　from　Zebra　to　Scotland　and　would　be　within　a　few　miles　of　our　point　of　exit　from　the　ice　pack。　It　could　probably　have　located　it　without　the　helicopter　but　the　chopper　made　it　dead　certain。
　 〃Incidentally；　I　was　being　rather　less　than　accurate　when　I　said　I　didn't　know　the　reason　for　Jolly's　attempts　to　delay　us。　I　knew　all　along。　He'd　been　told　that　the　ship　couldn't　reach　our　exit　point　until　such　and　such　a　time　and　that　it　was　vital　to　delay　us　until　then。　Jolly　even　had　the　effrontery　to　check　with　me　what　time　we　would　be　emerging　from　the　ice　pack。〃
　 Jolly　looked　up　from　Kinnaird's　hand　and　his　face　was　twisted　in　a　mask　of　malevolence。
　 〃You　win；　Carpenter。　So　you　win。　All　along　the　line。　But　you　lost　out　in　the　only　thing　that　really　mattered。　They　got　the　filmsthe　films　showing　the　location；　as　you　said；　of　nearly　every　missile　base　in　America。　And　that　was　all　that　mattered。　Ten　million　pounds　couldn't　buy　that　information。　But　we　got　it。〃　He　bared　his　teeth　in　a　savage　smile。　〃We　may　have　lost　out；　Carpenter；　but　we're　professionals。　We　did　our　job。〃
　 〃They　got　the　films；　all　right；〃　I　acknowledged。　〃And　I'd　give　a　year's　salary　to　see　the　faces　of　the　men　who　develop　them。　Listen　carefully；　Jolly。　Your　main　reason　in　trying　to　cripple　Benson　and　myself　was　not　so　much　that　you　could　have　the　say…so　on　Bolton's　health　and　so　delay　us：　your　main　reason；　your　overriding　reason；　was　that　you　wanted　to　be　the　only　doctor　on　the　ship　so　that　it　could　be　only　you　who　would　carry　out　the　X…ray　on　Zabrinski's　ankle　and　remove　the　plaster　cast。　Literally；　everything　hinged　on　that：　basically；　nothing　else　mattered。　That　was　why　you　took　such　a　desperate　chance　in　crippling　me　when　you　heard　me　say　I　intended　to　X…ray　Zabrinski's　ankle　the　following　morning。　That　was　the　one　move　you　made　that　lacked　the　hallmark　of　classof　a　professionalbut；　then；　I　think　you　were　close　to　panic。　You　were　lucky。
　 〃Anyway；　you　removed　the　plaster　cast　two　mornings　ago　and　also　the　films　that　you　had　hidden　there　in　oilskin　paper　when　you　applied　the　plaster　to　Zabrinski's　leg　the　first　night　we　arrived　in　Zebra。　A