Hide the Baron Read Free Page B

I—”
    â€œNonsense. Do you good. Look worn out,” Garfield added, and with a touch of the wheel of the chair, turned himself round so that he could stretch out for bottles from a small cocktail cabinet near him; whatever he could do for himself he would do. “Brandy’s what you want, too; must have been a nasty shock.”
    â€œIt wasn’t very pleasant.”
    â€œCouldn’t have been.” His voice gradually grew stronger. His hands looked strong, and the bottle shook only a little, the glass hardly at all. Brandy gurgled. “There y’are. Feel better after that.” He poured himself out a tiny tot of whisky, and squirted a lot of soda. “Got him free yourself, Gedde says.”
    â€œI had to.”
    â€œHad to? Ought to’ve fainted!”He grinned, and although it wasn’t the mock-fierce grin she was used to, the one intended to scare the wits out of anyone who saw it for the first time, it showed that he was feeling better. “Drink up, now.” They sipped. “I’ll find the scoundrel who put those traps there if I have to scour the whole county for him. That’s the first thing I want you to do, telephone the police. Not the station, the Superintendent’s home. Aylmer’s the name. He’ll make sure they get a move on. Understand?”
    â€œThe doctor said that he’d tell the police,” objected Joanna.
    â€œWell, let him! I want to tell the Superintendent in person.” There was less than his customary vigour in the way Garfield said that. “Well? Feel better?”
    â€œYes, thanks.”
    â€œEarly dinner, early bed, that’s my prescription for you for the night,” he said. “Especially as I’ve a job for you tomorrow. Important. Very important. George was going to do it.”
    She didn’t make any comment. The brandy warmed her and the fumes cleared her head. She felt relaxed, but not as exhausted or as affected as she had expected. It was pleasantly warm in here, and when you were with someone whom you knew liked you, it was a help.
    â€œWas he?”
    â€œYes. It’s important that someone does it tomorrow, and there aren’t many people I can trust. Can’t spare Gedde.” He often talked about not being able to trust people, and it didn’t mean a great deal to Joanna then. “Be ready to go?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œThat’s good,” Jimmy Garfield said. “Y’know, Joanna, you’re a comfort to an old man. Didn’t ever think I’d be able to count myself so lucky. Nice to look at, sensible, competent—hm, yes, well.” He really was much better than he had been, and there was a glint in his eyes, which looked clearer and a brighter blue. “How d’you get on with George?”
    He’d never asked her before, and the question took her completely by surprise. She didn’t answer. She knew, from the way he looked at her, that her expression had answered for her. He scowled, but a hint of laughter lurked in his eyes; that was one of the magnificent things about this old man: the fact that he could summon laughter so easily.
    â€œNot surprised,” he said. “He’s been trying to add to his conquests. Conceited young fool. Every man has his weakness, Joanna; women were always George’s weakness, but with the right woman—never mind. What d’you do, slap his face?”
    She was surprised into a little gust of laughter.
    â€œThat’s right, you look after yourself if you can. If he gets too fresh, tell me. I’ll deal with him! Rather the two of you worked it out between you, though, never so effective when gentlemanly behaviour is imposed, is it?” He chuckled. “But don’t stand any of his nonsense, Joanna, I’d be on your side.” He took a swig of his watered whisky. “Ah. Going to have a stronger nip, damn what the doctors say. You’ve done me good.