The Second Victory by Morris West

Author:Morris West [West, Morris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781760638504
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: 2017-02-26T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

AS SOON as Hanlon was able to sustain a coherent conversation, Johnson was there with his list of problems. The young captain was willing enough to accept responsibility, but wise enough to know his limitations. Huber’s counsel had left him dubious about precipitate action and he knew Hanlon would disapprove of a hasty application to Klagenfurt. Somewhat to his surprise, Hanlon disagreed with Huber.

“Let’s have action, Johnny, by all means. It won’t catch our man but it’ll worry hell out of Fischer.”

“What do you want, Mark?”

“House searches first, Johnny, simultaneously, all over the town. Keep the areas as widely separated as possible and stagger the times and places so that there’s no apparent pattern. Four men to each search: one to the back door, one to the front, two to work the place over from ceiling to cellar.”

“Do you want him dead or alive?” asked Johnson with a grin. His good humour was returning now that Hanlon was in the saddle again.

“Alive,” said Hanlon definitely. “But let’s not take crazy risks.”

“Like you, for instance?”

“Like me.”

“Any other ideas?”

“I’d like to tap Fischer’s telephone and keep a tail on him twenty-four hours a day. But the town’s too small and we haven’t the men for it. He’d know in ten minutes.”

“What are you going to do about him, then?”

“Let him sweat. You can lay odds he’s doing it now. Very soon I think he’ll decide to call on me. Then we’ll see what he has to say for himself.”

“What’s his connection with the killer, Mark?”

Hanlon frowned and shook his head. He was beginning to tire again and his temples were throbbing.

“I haven’t had time to think about it properly, Johnny. But there’s a link that will slip into place soon. Leave it to me.”

“Only too happy “said Johnson with a grin. “How long do you expect to stay here?”

“I’ll be out as soon as Huber agrees, if not before.”

“Why rash it?” asked Johnson with plaintive envy. “Home was never like this.” He cast an eye approvingly round the room and sniffed the air for the lingering traces of perfume. “Maybe we could both function from here?”

“To hell with you, Johnny.” Hanlon laughed in spite of himself.

“Before I go, there’s one more question.”

“What’s that?”

“What do I tell Klagenfurt about this?”

“Nothing,” said Hanlon flatly. “I’ll write my own report in due course. If they think I’m out of commission they’ll have a new commander and half a dozen clodhopping investigators up here in twenty-four hours.”

Johnson looked relieved.

“Just thought I’d mention it for the record. And talking of records…”

“Yes?”

“The way the paper’s pouring in we’re going to need a battery of typists to handle it. It’s not only what they’re sending in but the stuff they want back—reams of it morning and afternoon.”

“Leave it,” said Hanlon wearily. “Put the urgent stuff through and stack the rest in a corner. I’ll look at the staff position when I’m out of this bed.”

“At least pick ’em beautiful,” pleaded Johnson mockingly. “I’m too young for this celibate life.

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