Death In Captivity by Michael Gilbert

Author:Michael Gilbert
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Death In Captivity
ISBN: 9780755132201
Publisher: House of Stratus
Published: 2013-11-17T16:00:00+00:00

4

At five minutes to twelve, Colonel Lavery, accompanied by his Adjutant, walked across to the main gate and asked to be taken to Captain Benucci.

There were two sentries on the inner gate, and one of them pointed his short rifle in the direction of the S.B.O. whilst the other went to the telephone.

Colonel Lavery was aware that this was only a gesture, but he felt happier when the second man returned and started opening the gate.

‘You only,’ said the sentry who had telephoned, ‘not the other officer.’

Captain Armstrong hesitated for a moment.

‘That’s all right, Pat,’ said Colonel Lavery, ‘don’t let’s start an argument. I expect it’s only something about the rations.’

The Adjutant saluted, and walked back to the camp. Colonel Lavery, followed by the second sentry, made his way to the carabinieri quarters, which lay beyond the Punishment Block. This was arranged, like the Punishment Block, with an L-shaped passage, only it contained more and smaller rooms: three on each side, and one at the end. Benucci’s office was at the far end, on the left, and Colonel Lavery had taken two steps towards it when he was stopped by a soft whistle. He looked round, and saw, at a slit in the nearest door, the anxious eyes of Roger Byfold.

‘Nice to see a friendly face, sir,’ said Roger.

‘Good heavens, Roger! How are they treating you?’

‘E vietato—’ began the sentry in an anxious squeak.

‘A bit short on exercise,’ said Byfold. ‘Otherwise all right.’

‘Anything I can do for you?’

‘E asolutamente vietato—’ said the sentry.

‘You go and boil yourself,’ said Byfold.

The sentry, despite the fact that he was still holding his rifle, contrived the child-like, outward-turning gesture with both hands which an Italian makes when a situation is beyond him. Then he said, ‘Eh – ma—’, and bolted down the passage towards Benucci’s office.

‘We’ve got a second before they turn the dogs loose,’ said Colonel Lavery. ‘Are you sure you’re all right? They haven’t been—’

‘Not a single rubber truncheon,’ said Byfold. His face was white but his grin was unimpaired.

‘Has there been any sort of court proceeding?’

‘If anything’s been done,’ said Byfold, ‘it’s been done behind my back. Nor have I yet been induced to sign the traditional confession. Ah – here comes Torquemada.’

‘I regret,’ said Benucci, ‘that talking to the prisoner is forbidden.’ His voice was polite but his eyes had a cold, enquiring look in them. ‘Will you come to my office, please?’

In the office there was a silence which Colonel Lavery was determined not to be the first to break. In the end, Benucci said, ‘I expect you are wondering why I have sent for you?’

‘Since, in the past, you have always come into the camp to see me, I imagined it must be something out of the ordinary.’

‘Yes,’ said Benucci. ‘I think you will think so. I sent for you to tell you that Captain Byfold is to be shot.’

The satisfaction was so apparent, the animal was so near the surface, that the spectacle turned Colonel Lavery’s stomach. Also it steadied him.

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