The Soft Centre

Terrell paused while he puffed at his pipe. ‘He’s a mental case. On my way back from talking to his wife, I dropped in on Dr. Gustave who knows about the case. This guy sustained bad injuries to his head in a car smash. Dr. Gustave says there are brain adhesions. They could clear up, given time, but in the meantime, he’s not responsible for his actions. He hasn’t driven a car for two years, and now he’s in a Mercedes somewhere on his own. He could cause a lot of damage to himself and to others in a car as fast as a Mercedes.’

‘What do you want me to do?’ Beigler asked, finishing his coffee. ‘Put another call out to the boys?’

‘I guess so. Tell them this is urgent. I want this guy found and found fast I It’s more than two hours since we put the first call out. Can’t be all that hard to find a white convertible Mercedes.’

‘He could have taken to the dirt roads.’ Beigler said, get tin to his feet.?‘I don’t give a damn what he’s done. I want him found pronto!’ Beigler nodded and went down to the Operations room.

He sat at a desk, picked up a microphone and began calling the patrol cars. Even as he began to talk, an officer came up and touched him on the shoulder.

‘Harry’s calling, Sarg. He’s found the Mercedes.’

Beigler handed over the mike.?‘Tell the boys.’ he said and went over to another desk. He picked up the telephone receiver lying on the desk.

‘Harry?’?‘Yes, Sarg. I found the car: White Mercedes. licence No. 33567. Registered New York on the Old Dixie highway. Bust off side tyre: on side fender smashed. Skid marks across the road. The car finished up against a tree. Must have been travelling fast.’

Beigler rubbed the end of his nose.?‘The driver?’?‘No one in the car, Sarg.’?‘Hold it,’ Beigler snapped and swivelled around in his chair. ‘Hi, Jack, how many cars we got near the Old Dixie highway?’

‘Three.’ The plotter who kept tabs on all the patrol cars informed him. ‘Two within twenty miles: the third within ten miles.’

‘Tell them to converge on Harry and fast. He’ll want help.’ Beigler went on to Harry. ‘Three cars are on their way. I want a thorough search of the district. The driver can’t be far away. You stay where you are. Bud will give you a description of the guy.’ He beckoned to another officer, handed over the telephone receiver and went quickly back to Terrell’s office.

*****

At twenty minutes to three in the afternoon, Val was still sitting by the window and still waiting. She kept telling herself that there was nothing she could do, and she just had to be patient till the police found Chris. But as the time moved on, she became more and more anxious. This lone vigil was beginning to tear her nerves to shreds. She was already asking herself if Chris had met with another accident… this time, was he dead?

Suddenly the telephone bell buzzed. For a moment she just stared at the instrument, then getting to her feet, she ran over and lifted the receiver.

‘Mrs. Burnet… this is Captain Terrell.’?‘Have—have you found him?’?‘Not yet, but we have found the car,’ Terrell told her. It was found on the Old Dixie highway… not often used these days. Had a burst tyre and hit a tree. Looks as if your husband left the car and started to walk. I have four cars our there and our men are searching the district. It’s difficult country: lots of shrub land, orchards, disused barns. He might have gone into some derelict building to rest. I thought I’d let you know what’s happening. Don’t worry. We’ll find him soon.’

‘But he might be injured and…’?‘I don’t think so. It wasn’t a bad enough smash for that. Just a bent fender. He’s probably a bit dazed and is resting somewhere.’

‘Perhaps I had better come. I could get a taxi and…’?‘Best for you to remain where you are, Mrs. Burnett.’ Terrell said firmly. ‘Then we’ll know where you are. As soon as we’ve found him. I’ll call again.’

‘All right… thank you for calling me.’?‘You’re welcome,’ Terrell said, a little embarrassed to hear how unsteady her voice sounded.

‘Shouldn’t be long now,’ and he hung up.

Val went over to the window and looked out across the sea. There were a number of people sunning themselves and swimming. It was a gay scene, but there was no gaiety in Val’s heart. When there was no call from the police headquarters at five o’clock, she began to get desperate.

She waited until twenty minutes past five, then unable to bear the suspense any longer, she put a call through to her father’s New York office.