Vultures in the Sky by Todd Downing

Author:Todd Downing
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2019-06-14T16:00:00+00:00

14

Search (8:17 P.M.)

Jeanes’ eyes closed as if involuntarily, at a threatened blow. When he opened them they were cold and clear. When he spoke his voice was not raised yet seemed to ring out in the stillness.

“The message which I received in Vanegas had no connection with anything which has happened upon this train.”

“I’m afraid, Mr. Jeanes, that we cannot take your word for that.” Jeanes’ thin shoulders rose in a suggestion of a shrug. “I have told the truth. I can say no more.”

“This message in my hand,” Rennert extended it, “was it intended for you?”

“I cannot say.”

There was, Rennert felt, an air of granite-like resolve about the man as he sat with straightened shoulders and upraised chin. It was not defiance so much as the calm acceptance of impregnability.

“I think,” Rennert said, “that you are making a grave mistake, Mr. Jeanes, by maintaining that attitude. Remember that as soon as we arrive in Mexico City in the morning the Mexican authorities will take over this investigation. They may not be disposed to be lenient with your silence.”

If the man was conscious that his face was the cynosure of their eyes he did not betray it by the movement of a muscle. The wraith of a smile that hovered about his delicately chiseled lips was but the reflection of his own thoughts.

Watching him, the thought struck Rennert rather forcibly: He is not concerned by my insistence upon what will happen in Mexico City in the morning because he does not expect to reach Mexico City!

When King got to his feet it was as if a tautened wire had snapped.

King’s face was gray and his eyes looked as if they had sunk into hollows. He kept his hands buried in the pockets of his coat and his shoulders braced. He looked at Rennert and then at the others.

His voice was brittle: “My friends, I’m going to speak frankly. I don’t like the way things stand now. Remember we’re not in the United States but in a foreign country. I’m convinced, as Mr. Rennert has said, that there’s a cold-blooded murderer on this car. Personally, I don’t look forward to spending the night in the same car with him, without knowing who he is. What assurance have we that he hasn’t kept the hypodermic needle with which he has killed three people already?” He paused and swallowed hard. “I’m going to suggest that everyone on this car submit to a search, both of his person and of his luggage. Then, if no trace is found of the needle or of another weapon, we can at least spend the night with some feeling of security.”

He sank into his seat as if exhausted by the effort of speaking, felt in his pocket for a handkerchief and passed it over his face.

For several seconds after he had concluded there was silence.

Rennert waited.

It was Radcott who spoke up at last, rather uncertainly.

“I agree with Mr. King, of course,” he said, “although I rather dislike the idea of being searched.

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