by Amy Cross
***
“There really wasn't anyone onboard,” Hamilton protested as followed Cavaleri through the engine room. “This is preposterous, a man cannot hide himself for more than a week! He would need food and water!”
“I couldn't agree more,” she replied, stopping by one of the pump housings and turning back to face him, “which is why I'm starting to wonder whether you're covering something up.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Fernando Mediaci was on this boat when it left Thaxos,” she continued, “and that means that at some point you must have noticed him. He can't have vanished into thin air, and as you already pointed out, he'd need to eat and drink. So where is he now?”
“I'm not sure I like what you're implying.”
“I don't like it either,” she replied, “but I have to face the facts as they're presented to me. Unless he jumped overboard of his own volition, which would basically have been suicide, I don't see how he could have gone unnoticed.” She waited for him to reply, before deciding to try another approach. “If you're scared of Le Compte, there's no need to be. This island is under my jurisdiction, and if you're willing to cooperate with my investigation, I can promise you full immunity and protection.” Again she waited, but Hamilton still seemed unable to give her an answer. “Were you ordered to have him killed? Is that what happened? Did Baron Le Compte give you no choice?”
“I...” Hamilton paused for a moment. “There was a man, maybe...” Another pause, as if he was struggling to remember. “Not on the way to Parios, but on the way back, I think... I had dinner with a young man whose presence was rather unexpected. I came upon him in the wheel room, and I had the chef make something special. As you can imagine, it's so rare to enjoy pleasant company during these long voyages, so I was very pleased to be able to...” He frowned. “I wish I could remember what we talked about or how the evening ended...”
“You had dinner with him?”
“Let me see the photograph again.”
Sighing, Cavaleri held the photo up.
“Yes,” Hamilton continued, “I did see him. We talked for a little while. He was most pleasant, although he asked a lot of questions. He seemed to want to know about Baron Le Compte, and about the boat's history, and I'm afraid I wasn't much help. I promised to get back to him with the answers, although... I suppose I forgot... I lost track of time...”
“And then what happened to him?”
“I... I'm not entirely sure that I know. He was here onboard yesterday, but I'm afraid I was rather busy.”
“You lost track of a stowaway?”
“He...” Hamilton turned to look back across the engine room for a moment, almost as if he expected to see Fernando nearby. It was clear that he was struggling to remember, almost as if his mind wasn't quite his own. “You'll have to forgive me,” he continued finally, turning back to Cavaleri, “but I have a rather bad memory. Things that I should remember, they simply...” Another pause. “I feel rather foolish now. Perhaps I shall remember something later, in which case I would be only too happy to assist you. I'm sure it will come to me...”
Cavaleri stared at him, struggling to work out whether or not she believed his story. She'd been lied to by plenty of people over the years, including her fair share of hardened criminals, and she felt she had a pretty good sense of when someone wasn't telling the truth. In the case of Captain Hamilton, however, she sensed that he was genuinely trying to remember what had happened, and that pressing him any further on the matter would probably not be very helpful. She felt that somehow, Le Compte was directly involved in whatever had happened.
“You know where to find me if you need to talk, I take it?” she asked eventually.
“Of course. I hope you don't think that I'm intentionally disrupting your investigation, I just... These things are so hard to remember sometimes.”
“Just remember that I can protect you,” she told him. “Edgar Le Compte is not above the law, and these secrets can't remain buried forever. I'll find out what happened to Fernando Mediaci, and the sooner you cooperate, the better things will be for you. You don't have to follow his orders. The law can protect you.”
“Of course,” he replied. “He seemed like such a nice young gentleman. I'd hate to think that anything had happened to him.”
“He disappeared from this boat,” she pointed out. “I think we both know what that means. The only question is, who's responsible?”
V
Stepping into the archive, Edgar paused for a moment, breathing in the smell of thousands of old documents that had been left to fester for centuries. It was a complex smell, one that contained many half-forgotten scents. Blended in with those scents, however, there was another: something softer and more alluring, something he remembered from many just a few decades ago, something he felt barely able to resist.
Something he had been waiting for.
“Hey,” Kate called out, suddenly poking her head out from behind a series of large crates. “Sorry, I'll be with you in a moment.”
“Take your time,” he replied, making his way across the room. “I didn't come to disturb you.”
He listened to the sound of Kate fumbling with a batch of papers. Her perfume was subtle yet fragrant, and although it was pleasant enough, he preferred to peel it back and get to the smell of her flesh. Every human had a distinct individual aroma, but Edgar felt that Kate's was particularly attractive. He had missed it so much in the years leading up to his return to Thaxos, and he could barely contain his anticipation at the thought that one day, soon, he would be able to take her in his arms again.
“I'm just finishing up with some old shipping records,” she stammered, getting to her feet and hurrying over to meet him. “I... Well, you know, it sounds boring, I guess, but...”
Her voice tailed off.
“Well,” she added finally, “I mean, I want to be thorough, right? No stone unturned. I was reading about a boat that was owned by one of your ancestors. Apparently it sank somewhere off Singapore, but the wreckage was never found, so I've just spent the morning trying to track down any other records that might explain what happened.”
Edgar couldn't help but smile. He knew she was lying, but he didn't care about her reasons, which he could discern at his leisure. He could easily reach into her mind and pick apart whatever secret she was keeping, but for the first time in his life he had finally met someone whose privacy he respected. He preferred the mystery. All that mattered to him was the fact that she was close to him, as close as she could get without touching. It had been a long time since he had felt that he could truly trust another person, but he could tell that although she had certain faults, Kate was most certainly trustworthy. He only wished that he could tell her everything he already knew about her.
“I'm glad you're making progress in here,” he told her. “Most people would prefer not to spend their days in a dusty old room. I believe it would not be considered... fun?”
“Are you kidding?” she replied, heading over to the desk by the window. “I love it in here. There's still so much left to discover. You've got the entire history of your family packed into all these crates, and the fact that it's all out of order just makes it more interesting. It's like I'm in the middle of the world's largest and most complicated puzzle, but I get such a buzz whenever I manage to put two pieces together.” She smiled. “It reminds me of the time I went into the back-rooms at the British Museum in London. The chance to explore history is something that just... Well, I guess I'm making myself sound pretty weird now, right?”
Edgar watched as she fumbled with another set of papers. Her nervousness was uncharacteristic, and he was becoming increasingly certain that she was trying to hide something from him. On another day, he would be determined to uncover the truth as quickly as possible, but the death of Anna Kazakos had left him feeling somewhat melancholy, and as the setting sun's rays spread through the window, he couldn't help but wonder whether it might be appropriate to invit
e Kate to dinner again. He had planned to take things a little slower, but at the same time he had begun to sense danger on the island, and he knew that he needed to force matters.
“Tonight -” he began to say.
“Have you heard from her?” she asked, interrupting him.
“Who?”
“Who do you think? Didi?”
“I...” He paused as he realized that he had barely even thought about Didi in the hours since he'd thrown her out of the house, and the mere thought of her shrill voice made him shudder. “No, she hasn't been in touch. I don't see why she would, either. She and I have nothing left to discuss. It was a rather decisive split.”
“But you were engaged,” Kate replied, turning to him, “and she was living with you. I mean... Are you sure you really want to end things with her? It seemed kind of sudden. Maybe with a little time apart, you might come to change your mind?”
“It had been building for some time. I was becoming increasingly aware of my dissatisfaction with the situation, and I'm afraid that last night I was unable to tolerate her stupidity for a moment longer.” He paused, watching the cautious, almost fearful look in Kate's eyes. “I imagine you could sense that she and I were not right for one another,” he added. “I was merely indulging myself while I waited for...”
Now it was his turn to fall silent.
“Waited for what?” Kate asked eventually.
“I cannot explain,” he told her. “Not yet, anyway. Not in so many words.”
“You like having secrets, don't you?”
“If that were the case, why would I have hired you to explore my archive? I could easily have left the door locked, or maybe even burned everything. The past is a foreign country, after all.”
“Maybe secrets are more enjoyable when they're being hidden in plain sight,” she pointed out. “Maybe it's more fun that way.”
“It's not a case of keeping secrets,” he replied. “It's more that some things have to happen in a certain order, regardless of our desires. Speaking of which, the house is very large and it would seem foolish of us to be apart for dinner when we could be enjoying one another's company instead. Won't you join me at, say, seven?”
“I'm not sure if -”
“Please,” he continued, betraying for the first time a hint of keenness, “I... To be honest, I am unaccustomed to being alone like this. One of the reasons I brought Didi all the way to Thaxos was that I did not want to be rattling around the house without anyone else nearby. She has many faults, but she is certainly able to fill a space with her presence. And her voice.”
“And that horrible perfume,” Kate pointed out.
“For my sake,” he added, “I hope you can bring yourself to bear my company tonight. In return, I will try to provide at least a modicum of entertainment and intelligent conversation.”
“Do you know where Didi's gone?” Kate asked, changing the subject. She wanted to buy herself a little time while she considered his offer. After all, their previous dinner had ended somewhat awkwardly.
“I would imagine that she has left Thaxos. If she's smart, she will already be heading to the mainland.” He waited, hoping that she would agree to his dinner request. “I hope that things are not difficult between us,” he added finally. “I know there have been certain... moments... when we have perhaps surprised one another, but I can assure you that I merely wish to have company during my meal.”
“I know,” Kate replied, “but... I was actually thinking of going down into town tonight, and maybe catching up with Ephram. His grandmother has been ill, so I figure he could use some company.”
“I'm sure he'll be fine.”
“I worry about him,” she told him. “He doesn't have anyone to help him.”
“Could I not persuade you to change your plans?”
“I...”
As Kate paused, Edgar considered reaching into her mind and forcing her to accept his offer. He was used to tugging at the thoughts of others and twisting their wills so that they bent to his command, but this was something he had generally tried to avoid doing with Kate. It mattered to him that she should choose to spend time with him, and he knew that he could never be satisfied unless she gave herself to him willingly. Besides, he had no doubt that she would come to him eventually, so long as he gave her the space to make her own decisions.
“I hope,” he continued, “that you have not been plagued by any more nightmares recently?”
“Nightmares?”
“You seemed to be suffering when you first arrived. I heard you getting up in the night several times, as if you were unable to get back to sleep.”
“No,” she replied, clearly flustered, “I'm fine, really.”
“Nightmares can seem so vivid sometimes,” he added. “They can feel more real than actual memories, especially when they have a... physical component.”
He paused again, waiting for her reply. The temptation to reach into her mind was growing stronger, but he forced himself to be strong. This victory would only be worthwhile if it was taken fairly.
“I can have dinner with you,” she said finally, with a faint smile. “I mean, I guess I can always go and visit Ephram tomorrow, can't I?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, absolutely. You said seven, didn't you?”
“Indeed.” He couldn't help but smile, knowing that she had changed her own mind without having to be pushed into making the decision. “I shall ensure that we have a particularly satisfying meal tonight, with the finest wines. No expense or effort shall be spared. In fact, I think that perhaps I shall give the chef a night off, and I shall prepare everything myself. I'll make my specialty dish. I hope you like red meat and garlic.”
“You really don't have to go to all that trouble,” she told him.
“It's no trouble. I enjoy cooking, and... To be honest, I feel that I owe you an explanation. The panels in the chamber beneath the stones... I have been guilty of holding some information back, and I would very much like the opportunity to tell you everything that I know. Well, tell you and show you.”
“In that case,” she replied, “I'm intrigued.”
“We shall meet at seven, then,” he continued, “and I hope we will enjoy an entertaining evening together. It is certainly my intention to help you with your research. I believe that if anyone is to tell the full story of Thaxos, it must be you.”
VI
“I don't care,” Cavaleri said firmly, “I can't wait any longer. It's happening tonight.”
“I told you to be patient,” Doctor Young replied as he sat at his desk. “Inspector, I thought I made myself clear the other day. We can't rush this situation, not when we're dealing with a man like Edgar Le Compte. He's dangerous, and one doesn't go charging into battle with a dangerous man unless one has a plan. When the time is right -”
“The time is right,” she continued. “I didn't come here for your permission, I came here to tell you that I'm making my move. I'd appreciate your help, but I can do this alone if necessary. You've already given me enough information, I can take it alone from here if necessary.” She paused, waiting – hoping – for him to tell her he'd still support the plan. “Every second I leave it,” she added, “is another second that my sister suffers.”
Doctor Young stared at her for a moment, as if he was struggling to make a decision. He had anticipated that Cavaleri would be difficult to control, but he was starting to think that perhaps he should have held back on letting her see her sister. Then again, another plan was already forming in his mind.
“I'll make sure the service door is unlocked,” he said finally. “That will allow you easy access to the house. The only people you have to worry about, other than Edgar himself, are Kate Langley, Alice Marco and Jacob. Ms. Langley is likely to be somewhat busy tonight, if I'm right about Edgar's plans, while Jacob is an old man and I imagine he can be overcome without any problems. As for Alice Marco, she has a rather weak constitution so I wouldn't be surprised if she f
aints as soon as she sees you.”
“What about Le Compte's men?” Cavaleri asked. “I'm worried about them causing problems.”
“They never stay overnight at the house. They always sleep on the boat.”
“So there won't be anyone else to deal with?”
“No-one. By midnight, Edgar Le Compte should be asleep, which means you only have to get into the house and find your way to his bedroom. Top of the stairs, first right, make your way to the end of the corridor until you fin the double doors. I trust you know what to do once you get there.”
“I won't make a mistake,” she replied, as if she was trying to convince herself. “I've run over the moment in my head a million times, and I know exactly how to strike.”
“You must aim for the heart.”
“Of course.”
“Hit him hard. No matter how hard you think you need to be, double it.”
She nodded.
“And for God's sake, make sure you get the right spot. It's the heart or nothing.”
“Don't worry, I won't miss.” She paused. “When he's dead, will my sister... I mean, will Karya be able to come back to me?”
“I wish I knew,” he replied. “She might simply be released from his command and return to the depths, or she might be able to continue with a normal life. Either way, I'm sure it will be preferable to having her remain as she is. She must be so cold down there beneath the surface -”
Before he could finish, a nearby door opened and Didi appeared, her reddened eyes indicating that she had recently been crying. Around her left eye, there was a distinct dark bruise, and she seemed nervous, almost as if she didn't want to be seen.
“I'm sorry,” she muttered quietly, turning to go back to the other room, “I didn't know you had company.”
“That's quite alright,” Doctor Young replied. “Didi, please, won't you join us?”
“No, I -”
“Didi, join us,” he continued, his voice betraying a little extra firmness. “Please, this is about something that concerns you.”
“What are you doing here?” Cavaleri asked, watching with suspicion as Didi approached the desk. The younger girl seemed uncharacteristically quiet and worried, lacking all the cocky bravado that she'd displayed in the past.
“I'm afraid that there has been a lovers' tiff,” Doctor Young explained. “Didi was required to leave the house with very little warning, so I told her she could stay here with me while she gets back on her feet.”
“And your eye?” Cavaleri asked.
“Nothing,” Didi replied, turning away in an attempt to hide the dark black eye that she had suffered during the night. “I just... I walked into a door. Dumb, huh?”
“Did Edgar Le Compte hit you?”
Didi shook her head.
“Then what -”
“Can you just leave it?” Didi asked desperately. “I'm okay. You don't need to go poking around in everyone else's business.”
“If you've suffered domestic abuse -”
“She's fine,” Doctor Young said, interrupting her. “I've examined the injury and determined it to be nothing serious, these things always look far worse than they actually are. In a few days' time, she'll be back to normal. For now, however, she'll be staying here with me so that I can look after her. This is a fortuitous development, Inspector. One less person to worry about when you go up to the house.”
“Are you really going to kill him?” Didi asked.
Cavaleri turned to Doctor Young, clearly concerned that Didi was aware of the plan.
“Relax,” he said with a smile, “there's nothing to worry about. Everyone in this room is perfectly happy with the situation. Edgar Le Compte has been losing friends rather rapidly in recent days. He's exposed and he knows it, so perhaps you're right to push ahead now before he has a chance to regroup. The man sits up there in his mansion, arrogantly assuming that he has everything covered, but this time he's going to pay for his crimes.”
“While you're up there,” Didi muttered darkly, “you might as well take care of Kate Langley. Trust me, she's loves sticking her nose into other people's lives. She probably loves having Edgar all to herself. I saw the way she looked at him, I wouldn't be surprised if she's getting her panties in a twist just thinking about pulling him into the sack.”
“Come now,” Doctor Young said, reaching over and taking her hand in his, causing her to flinch, “you're starting to sound a little jealous. We're not looking for an all-out killing spree here. The target is Edgar Le Compte, and if anyone else is hurt, it will simply be collateral damage. Not that I care too much one way or the other. Get rid of Le Compte, and I'll be happy. Once he's out of the way, it shouldn't be too hard to work out what he did with James Nixon.”
“No-one else dies tonight,” Cavaleri replied firmly. “I want to heal Thaxos, and only one man has to die in order for that to happen. Once Le Compte is dead -”
“Everything will be rosy?” Doctor Young asked with a faint smile. “Thaxos can blossom again and become some kind of Mediterranean paradise? Is that how you think things will go?”
“We can start getting back to normal,” Cavaleri insisted. “We can build a new life here, a new community that isn't ruled by fear and pain. I'm willing to accept the consequences of my actions, and I know that I might never be able to serve this island again if word gets out that I'm responsible for Le Compte's death. That's the price I'll have to pay.”
“That's quite a sacrifice,” Doctor Young pointed out. “I never had you pegged as a martyr, but it's a role you seem to be playing very well.”
“It's for the island. And my sister.”
“I'm sure you'll be remembered for all the right reasons,” he replied, pulling Didi's hand closer and gently kissing her wrist. “With Edgar out of the way, everyone else can reorganize their lives to fill the void. After all...” He looked up at Didi. “Everyone can be replaced. We can slot rather neatly into one another's lives, if only we make the effort. Everyone benefits from Le Compte's death.”
Didi forced a smile, even though it was clear that she felt distinctly uncomfortable. In fact, from the look on her face, it was almost as if Doctor Young's kiss made her feel physically sick.