‘Harry!’
There was a long pause while we stared at each other, then the glass of whisky I was holding slipped out of my hand and smashed to pieces on the parquet floor.
CHAPTER TEN
I
The hall clock began to strike nine. The sharp pinging sound of the bell seemed to fill the room.
I got to my feet, staring down at the broken glass and the puddle of whisky on the floor.
‘I’ll fix it,’ I said and started for the door.
‘Harry…’
‘I’ll be right back.’
I had to have a breather. I knew I was chalk white. My mind was seething with panic. I strove desperately to think of a convincing lie, but I couldn’t think of one.
I picked up a swob in the kitchen and then started back down the passage to the lounge. I saw Nina fumbling at the front door, trying to open it. When we had come in I had shot the bolts. The top one was stiff and she was trying to draw it back.
‘Where are you going?’ I shouted to her, throwing aside the swob.
She looked over her shoulder at me. Her face was pinched and white and her eyes unnaturally large.
‘To the garage.’
She got the bolt back as I jumped forward and grabbed her.
‘You’re not going out there! Give me those keys!’
‘Let go of me!’
She wrenched free and darted away from me, putting her hands behind her back and leaning against the wall. Her breasts under her white shirt rose and fell with her violent breathing.
‘Give me those keys!’
‘Don’t come near me! What have you done?’
‘Give me those keys!’
‘No!’
I had to have them. I grabbed her, but she twisted away and ran into the lounge. I went after her, caught her wrist and spun her around with her back to me.
‘Harry! You’re hurting me!’
I wrenched open her fingers and got the keys. As we struggled, she slipped and fell on her knees.
I let go of her and stood away, breathing heavily. I felt like hell.
She remained on her knees, her face in her hands and she began to cry.
I dropped the keys into my pocket.
‘I’m sorry, Nina.’ I could scarcely get the words out. ‘I didn’t mean to hurt you. Please don’t cry.’
I wanted to pick her up but I was too ashamed even to touch her.
She remained on her knees for about two minutes while I stood there, watching her. Then slowly she got up, holding her wrist.
We faced each other.
‘You had better tell me the truth,’ she said. ‘What have you done?’
‘I haven’t done a thing,’ I said. ‘Forget it. I’m sorry I hurt you.’
‘Will you please give me my car keys? I want to open the trunk of the car.’
‘For God’s sake, Nina! Will you stop it! I told you to forget it. Don’t you understand? You’ve got to forget it.’
She held out her hand.
‘Give me my keys.’
‘You little fool!’ I said desperately. ‘Keep out of this! I’m not giving you the keys!’
She sat down abruptly, staring at me.
‘What’s in the trunk you’re so frightened I’ll see – so frightened those two soldiers would see? Harry!
Don’t tell me that – the girl is in the trunk?’
Sweat was glistening on my face now and I was shaking.
‘Listen to me,’ I said. ‘You’ve got to pack a bag and go to a hotel! I must be alone here tonight! Will you please, please do what I’m asking and don’t ask questions?’
‘Oh, Harry!’ She was staring at me now in horror. ‘Tell me it’s not true! I can’t believe it! Harry!
She’s not in there, is she?’
