Assignment - Lili Lamaris by Edward S. Aarons

Assignment - Lili Lamaris by Edward S. Aarons

Author:Edward S. Aarons [Aarons, Edward S.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00


He was back in Rome before midnight. If he was followed, he was unable to spot it. But the thought of Dante Lamaris rode with him, and he knew that Lamaris would learn at once what he had talked to Pietro about. Perhaps it would not concern the old man. But he felt sure that Dante could anticipate his movements, and when he parked the car in front of the Excelsior on the Via Veneto, he went on the assumption that his return was noted and duly reported.

He arranged with the hotel for the Lancia to be returned to San Eufemia. The clerk told him his rented Fiat was in the garage.

"Who returned it?"

"Signer Shedlock, sir. He left word for you to telephone him as quickly as possible."

"Grazie." Durell went up to his room, relieved that Shedlock had made it. The telephone was ringing when he went through the doorway. He hesitated, then picked it up. "Durell here."

"This is Powelton. I've been ringing all day—"

"What for?"

"Now, see here, Durell," the colonel said angrily. "I'm in charge of this operation, and you're supposed to report to me. You had orders to go to Vienna and report to Tom Sweeney—"

"I don't take orders from you,” Durell said. "What did you call me for?"

"Why, to find out what's been happening, that's all.”

"I need some money," Durell said. "Take it out of Embassy petty cash. Or out of the funds for Shedlock's drop. Understand?"

"You'll have to sign a voucher—"

"Send it along. I want two thousand dollars. American." Durell paused. "And a gun. A .38 revolver, if possible. Short-barreled."

"All right," Powelton said reluctantly. "I'll see what I can do."

Durell said: "I also want a hypodermic syringe and some shots of morphine. Get them from Dr. Hamilton. Send it all by runner, at once," Durell said, and hung up.

He held the phone for another moment, wondering whether to risk a call to Shedlock on the Via Margutta. He was anxious to know if Lili had turned up there. But the telephone could not be trusted, and he had to wait here for the money, the gun, and the drugs. He put the phone aside, got a bottle of bourbon from his suitcase, checked its level, and drank deeply. Then he went to the phone again and called Rome police headquarters and asked for Lieutenant Marusco, the man he had met in the morgue over Purdy Kent's body. He was told that Marusco was off duty. He got Marusco's home number and rang it. A woman's quiet, contained voice answered him first, then Marusco came on.

"This is Sam Durell. I met you with Colonel Powelton-"

"I remember you, sir."

"I need some help. A matter of identification."

"Is it urgent? I was about to go to bed—"

"I'd appreciate it if I could get the information as quickly as possible. It may be related to Purdy Kent's death."

"But that case has been closed."

"Would you like to have it opened?"

"If you have evidence—"

"I want to know everything I can learn about a man named Umberto Valle.



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