Under the cold, suffocating water, Don felt himself bumping down the steps into the submerged corridor. Carlos’s grip slackened. Don made a tremendous effort, and threw the negro off, then he fought his way to the surface, reached one of the steps that was just clear of the water, and as he got one knee on it, he felt Carlos’s fingers close around his ankle.
He kicked back, but his foot missed Carlos and he was jerked into the water again. He had just time to draw in a deep breath before he sank. He groped around in the water for Carlos, but couldn’t find him, then he broke surface.
The light on the landing suddenly glimmered, making a tiny orange glow.
In the dim light he saw Carlos was standing on the lower step, his great lips drawn back, his white teeth gleaming.
Don swam towards him and as he reached for the step, Carlos kicked out at him, his boot narrowly missing Don’s face as Don threw himself sideways. He looked beyond Carlos to where Lorelli stood at the head of the steps, watching. He knew in a few minutes the rising water would bring him within reach of the huge boot. Unless Lorelli did something, he had the choice of drowning or having his head kicked in.
Lorelli acted. Picking up the crowbar, she crept down the steps until she was within range, and then swinging the iron bar above her head, she aimed a vicious blow at Carlos.
The negro half-turned, threw up his arm, but was a fraction late. The bar caught him on the top of his head and he fell slackly forward, sliding into the water.
Don made a grab at him, caught his coat, but his weight was too much for Don’s failing strength. As he began to sink himself, he let go of Carlos and kicking out feebly, swam to where Lorelli, up to her waist in water, was holding out her hand to him. She pulled him, gasping, on to a submerged step. He heaved himself further out of the water. Then as he stood upright, he heard a faint shout that came through the steel door at the head of the stairs.
Catching Lorelli by her hand, Don staggered up the steps, as the shout came again.
Chapter XIII
THE LAST LAUGH
Water was above his knees as Don, his ami around Lorelli, reached the top step. They leaned against the steel door.
“Is that you, Harry?” Don shouted.
“It’s me all right, sir,” Harry shouted back. “I’m trying to get the door open. Can I use dynamite?”
“No!” Don shouted. “We’re right by the door and we can’t get away from it. The water’s up to us and rising fast.”
“Okay, I’ll fix it somehow,” Harry said. “Can you hang on for five minutes?”
“It’ll have to be faster than that,” Don said as a sudden surge of water nearly had him off his feet.
“I’ll fix it,” Harry said.
Lorelli clung to Don.
“They won’t do it,” she said. “They can’t do it.”
“I’ve never known Harry to be beaten yet,” Don said, trying to sound more cheerful than he felt. He couldn’t see how Harry could get them out in time. “Hold on to me and take it easy.” The water had risen to Lorelli’s shoulders. In the dim light, her face was drawn and white.
They waited as the minutes dragged by, the water rising inch by inch.
“You still there, sir?” Harry’s voice demanded suddenly.
“Yes. What’s happening?”
“I’ve sent three of Giuseppe’s men down to the lake. They’re going to blast the pipe that’s taking the water in to you. They’ll be as quick as they can.”
“Fine,” Don said. “Well done, Harry.”
“I’ll be back,” Harry said. “It won’t be long now.”
Don held Lorelli above the water which was up to his shoulders.
“Keep your arms and legs moving,” he said to her. “We’ve still got about three feet of head room. They’ll fix it before it reaches the top.”
By now he was swimming himself, holding on to her with one hand.
The water continued to rise, although its speed had slackened slightly. Don reached up and touched the ceiling. In another three or four minutes, the water would be over their heads.
“Turn on your back, and get your head as far into the water as you can.” He supported her as she floated. “Scared?”
“Not as much as I was. Are you?”
“I guess so, but it doesn’t help, does it?”
“Felix is dead, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he’s dead. Don’t think about any of them.”
“And I’m not even sorry. I feel as if he never existed.”
The dim orange light flared up suddenly, lighting up the uneven surface of the rock six inches from their upturned faces, then it went out, leaving them in darkness.
“Well, Alsconi has the last laugh,” Lorelli said. Her voice was steady. “What a fool I was to think I could break away from him. Would it be better just to let go and sink?”
“That’s a rotten idea,” Don said. “We’re going to get out of this. It’s like the movies. They’re always rescued in the nick of time.”
“They’re leaving it a little late. I’m horribly cold.” Don had an idea that they hadn’t more than a few seconds left. He reached up for the ceiling expecting to find it within a few inches of him, but his groping fingers encountered space.
With a sudden surge of hope, he stretched higher and just managed to touch the ceiling.
“I think they’ve done it,” he said. “The water’s dropped at least a foot.”
“Are you just saying that?”
“Reach up and see for yourself.”
“Yes. I can’t feel anything.”
Don dropped his legs and his feet found a step.
“They have done it!” he exclaimed. “We can stand! I told you, didn’t I? The water’s going down!”
Lorelli sank down beside him. She leaned against him and began to cry.
Harry’s voice bawled, “Are you still all right? We’ve diverted the water; now we’re going to tackle the door.”
“We’re okay, Harry,” Don shouted back. “How are you going to get the door open?”
“I’ve found the switchboard. I’ll turn the juice on.”
“Wait a few minutes,” Don said. “Let’s get clear of the water first.”
“Okay, sir; just give the word when you’re ready.”
By now the water had sunk to Don’s knees and he could feel it rapidly receding.
“We’ll be out in five minutes,” he said to Lorelli.
“What are you going to do with me?” she asked, drawing away from him. “Are you going to hand me over to the police?”
“I’m not going to do anything with you,” he said. “It’s what you are going to do with yourself, that’ll be your problem.
As far as I’m concerned, you died down here with the rest of them, and I like to think that’s exactly what you did do.
You’ll have a few hours’ start, but you must know sooner or later the police., will catch up with you.”
She didn’t say anything for a long moment, then, “Yes; perhaps Felix is better off after all.”
By now they were standing on the top step free of water.
“I’m going to tell him to open the door now,” Don said.
“Alsconi owns the Bazzoni villa in Palermo,” Lorelli said. “As he tried to drown me like a rat, I may as well continue to act like one. He has a fast yacht in the harbour. It’s called the Nettuno.”
“My men may have got him.”
“He’s not so easily caught. I hope you won’t let him get away. Before they open the door I want to thank you for what you’ve done for me. I should be dead now if it hadn’t been for you. Felix didn’t help me.”
“We’re quits. If it hadn’t been for you, Carlos would have finished me.” Raising his voice, he shouted, “Okay, Harry, see what you can do now.”
Two minutes later, the steel door swung open.
An hour later, and back at the Trioni villa, Don was speaking to Rossi, captain of police at Rome headquarters, over the telephone.
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br /> Out on the veranda Cherry was administering to the needs of Giuseppe and his men, while Harry leaned against the veranda rail and listened to what Don was saying.
Upstairs, Marian was looking after Lorelli, providing her with a change of clothing.
Don was saying, “No doubt at all. I have a witness for you that no jury will shake. Alsconi is making for Bazzoni villa in Palermo. You’ll have to move quickly if you’re going to catch him. He has a couple of hours’ start. He has a fast yacht in the harbour: it’s called Nettuno.”
Rossi said, “Give me your number. I’ll call you back.”
Don gave him the number and hung up. He got to his feet as Marian and Lorelli came into the lounge. Lorelli was wearing one of Marian’s black frocks. Her red-gold hair was packed up out of sight under a close-fitting hat. She looked pale and uneasy.
Marian left them together and went out on to the veranda.
Don said, “Well, what are your plans?”
Lorelli shrugged.
“What can my plans be? I have no money.” She took a cigarette from the box on the table and lit it. “I won’t get far.”
“I’ll let you have some money,” Don said. “The best thing I can do for you is to take you to Florence tonight. The police in Siena will be looking for you. You’ll stand a better chance in Florence. Anyway, I won’t be able to get the money for you until the bank opens. I can cash a cheque in Florence.”
She stared at him.
“You’ll do this for me?”
“I said I’d give you a chance. It’s not much of a chance, but it’s up to you how you use it. I’ll give you a million lire, and I’ll take you to Florence. The rest is up to you.”
“If the police caught me with you, you’d get into trouble.”
“That’s my funeral’,” Don said shortly. “Are you ready to leave now?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
“Wait here for a moment.” He went out on to the veranda. “I want the car,” he said to Harry. “Okay for gas?”
“She’s full up, sir,” Harry said and went off down the steps to the garage.
Don drew Marian aside.
“I’m taking her to Florence right away,” he said. “If Rossi calls back, tell him I’ve gone to bed and I’m not to be disturbed. I’ll be back around midday.”
“You’re going to help her get away?” Marian asked. “Is it wise, Don? The police want her.”
“I know. It’s one of those things. If it hadn’t been for her, that negro would have fixed me. I owe her something. I can’t just wash my hands of her.”
“You’ll take Hairy?”
“No. There’s no point in getting him in a jam3 if we’re stopped.”
Harry drove the Bentley to the bottom of the veranda steps. He got out and looked inquiringly up at Don.
“Ready when you are, sir.”
“I wish you would take him,” Marian said.
Don shook his head, walked back into the lounge and beckoned to Lorelli.
“Let’s go,” he said.
She followed him down the steps, not looking at the group on the veranda who watched her silently.
Harry said, “Will you drive or shall I, sir?”
“You’re not coming,” Don said as he opened the off-side door for Lorelli. He came around and slid under the driving wheel. “And don’t argue, Harry,” he went on as he saw the obstinate look cross Harry’s face. “I’ll be back around midday tomorrow. Keep an eye on Jacopo.”
He let in the clutch before Harry had time to remonstrate which obviously he was about to do, and sent the car down the drive.
“Have you told the police about Alsconi?” Lorelli asked as they headed along the road towards Poggibonsi.
“Yes,” Don returned. “There’ll be a reception committee waiting for him at Palermo. He won’t get away this time.”
“I think he must be meeting someone. I can’t understand why he killed Menotto. He hasn’t driven a car for years.
Menotto always drove him. I am sure he would never plan to drive to Palermo himself. He must be relying on someone to take him.”
“Don’t worry your brains about him,” Don said. “The police will take care of him. Jacopo didn’t know about the Bazzoni villa, did he?” “No: only Felix and I.”
“That’s the point. He’s sure you are dead. He’ll think the Bazzoni villa is still safe. He’ll walk right into the trap.”
“I’ll believe that when he is caught,” Lorelli said. “He is very clever. If he does escape, you will have to be careful. I’m warning you. It is through you he is in trouble now. He won’t forget. If he escapes, he won’t rest until he has levelled scores.”
“He won’t escape,” Don said, then abruptly, “Who killed Shapiro?” She looked at him.
“That’s for the London police to find out if they can,” she said indifferently. “Why should you care who killed him?”
Before Don could reply he saw the reflection of powerful headlights coming towards him. The road they were climbing was sinuous. He couldn’t see the car, but the approaching headlights told him it was coming fast.
“This fella’s in a hurry,” he said and pulled well in to hil right, dipping his headlights.
Then the car was upon them; well on the wrong side of the road and travelling at over fifty miles an hour, which was much too fast for such a road, it came at them with its headlights full on.
Don was completely blinded by the glare of the other car’s lights. He rammed his foot down hard on the brake. He heard the squealing of tortured tyres as the other car also braked, then he felt a violent blow against the side of his car which skidded sideways, then under the pressure of the brakes, came to a stop.
Swearing under his breath, for he loved his car, Don fling open the car door and jumped out.
The other car had slewed around right across the road, its rear wheels inches from the overhang that went down into the valley of olive trees.
A man in a trench coat and slouch hat had got out of the car, leaving another man sitting in the off-side seat. He went to the front of the car to examine the damage. He took no notice of Don as he came up.
“What the hell do you think you’re playing at?” Don said in Italian. “You were over on the wrong side of the road.”
The man in the trench coat threw the beam of a small flashlight on to the front wheel. The fender had been crushed down on the tyre, bursting it and ripping a large hole in the cover.
“We are in a hurry,” he said in English. “Is your car badly damaged?”
“I don’t give a damn if you are in a hurry,” Don said, exasperated. “You have no business to drive like that on this road.”
“I asked if your car…” the man in the trench coat began when his companion got out of the car and came into the circle of light made by the flashlight.
“I seem to recognize your voice,” he said and lifted the .45 he held in his hand so the barrel pointed at Don. “Surely it is Mr Micklem?”
The man in the trench coat turned the beam of the flashlight on Don’s face.
“So we meet again,” Alsconi said. “You appear a difficult man to get rid of. Stay where you are.” The gun moved threateningly. To Crantor he went on, “See if there is anyone with him in the car.”
Crantor walked over to the Bentley. Lorelli saw him coming, opened the car door and slid out. The gun in Crantor’s hand brought her to an abrupt stop.
She stifled a scream as she recognized him.
It was only when Alsconi went down to where Menotto had left the car that he had sudden doubts whether he could drive the big Cadillac, and he had immediate regrets that he had wiped Menotto out without considering that he was depriving himself of the services of a chauffeur.
He hadn’t handled a car for five or six years, and even then he had been a poor driver.
Crantor was due to land at midnight. It was essential to be there when he arrived. Alsconi had less than an hour and a half to reach the airstrip. Ahead
of him lay forty miles of difficult driving.
He got into the car, and spent three or four exasperating minutes trying to find out how the headlights operated. Having finally turned them on and then turned on the ignition, he started the engine. He was thankful for the automatic gear box; at least he wouldn’t have to cope with a clutch or a gear change. He drove down the drive to the gates, and he found that fifteen miles an hour was as fast as he could drive without having difficulty in keeping the car to the narrow tarmac. The guard at the lodge opened the gates for him and stared curiously at him as he edged the car through the gateway. Alsconi was far too busy getting the big car on to the road to notice the curious stare. With more space to manoeuvre, he increased his speed, but he found twenty-five miles an hour was all he could safely drive at.
The hill road with its sharp bends bothered him, and he was sweating freely and cursing himself for getting rid of Menotto by the time he got to the crest. The clock on the dashboard warned him he was well behind.time. It was essential that he should reach the airstrip before the aircraft landed. The aircraft would take off immediately Crantor disembarked, and Alsconi wanted to be on it when it did take off. He knew his best chance of escape was to fly to Palermo and get aboard his yacht before the police were alerted. He edged the speed of the car up to thirty-five miles an hour and almost ran off the road. If he hadn’t slammed on the brakes, he would have gone over the overhang.
Cursing under his breath, he continued up the road at a greatly reduced speed.
An hour later, still crawling at twenty miles an hour, he reached the broad, straight road that led to the narrow road to the airstrip, and he pushed the speed of the car up to thirty-five miles an hour. Wrestling with the wheel, he managed to maintain this speed until he reached the right hand turn which would bring him after a mile drive to the airstrip.
Mission to Siena Page 19