This Way for a Shroud

"Have you reminded her of that?"

Conrad looked up. His eyes shifted away from Forest's inquiring gaze.

"Not yet. I thought it would sound as if I were threatening her. She's not the type to be threatened."

"But she must be told. If we get other evidence that she saw Maurer she could be prosecuted."

"I know, but I'll hold off a little longer if you agree," Conrad said. "I still think I can persuade her to talk. Since Gollowitz scared her, she's much more amenable."

"Is she? In what way?"

"Well, she's more friendly. She's lost the chip on her shoulder. I – I think she's coming round."

Forest moved a glass paper-weight aimlessly, his face was expressionless. The despondent look on Conrad's face began to worry him.

"We can't keep her for ever," Forest said. "You realize that?"

"I know. It's a hell of a problem. The only way in which she can ever be really safe now is for her to admit she saw Maurer so we can deal with him. So long as Maurer is at liberty she won't be safe unless she remains under our protection."

"And she realizes that?"

Conrad shrugged.

"I suppose so. I've told her often enough." He reached forward to stub out his cigarette. For a long moment he stared frowning down at the carpet while Forest watched him without appearing to do so. Then Conrad said. "There is another problem I don't know how to handle. Maybe you can make up my mind for me."

"Go ahead. What is it?"

"I think these two have taken a liking to each other. I'll go further than that: I think they've fallen in love with each other."

"What two?" Forest asked sharply.

Conrad shifted restlessly; the despondent expression deepened.

"Miss Coleman and Weiner."

"Fallen in love with each other?" Forest repeated, startled. "How did they fall in love with each other?"

Conrad looked up then.

"How do people fall in love with each other?" he asked quietly. "It's one of those damned odd things that can't be explained. Two people meet and then something happens. It's like two pieces of a jig-saw puzzle that have been floating about for years. Then suddenly through no known reason they come together and fit. It can happen as easily as that."

"Are you sure about this?"

"I'm pretty sure. Miss Coleman asked me yesterday if she could talk to Weiner. Up to now we have kept them apart, but Miss Fielding, who is looking after Miss Coleman, tells me she remains at the window watching Weiner as he exercises in the grounds, and I hear he watches her when she is in the grounds."

"But that doesn't mean they're in love with each other," Forest said a little impatiently. Conrad shrugged.

"You have only to see them when they talk about each other to know how they feel." He got up abruptly and began to pace up and down. "How the hell a nice girl like that could fall in love with a little rat like Weiner beats me. There's nothing to him. He's got that hideous birthmark. He's been a crook all his life. I just don't know how she could have any feeling for a man like that. It beats me."

Forest raised his eyebrows. Surely Paul couldn't have fallen for this girl, he asked himself. He was certainly behaving like a rejected suitor. But surely not. Forest had met Janey and had been very impressed by her beauty. He had thought Conrad was a lucky devil to have married such a lively, glamorous girl.

"Maybe it's because of his background and his birthmark," Forest said quietly. "Girls can be damned funny animals."

"I guess so."

"But what's the problem, Paul? It's not our business if they have fallen in love with each other, is it?"

"No, but am I to let them meet? Miss Coleman asked if she could share Weiner's exercise time; a couple of hours a day."

"I should say not. What do you think?"

Conrad continued to pace up and down.

"It's not as easy as that," he said slowly. "We mustn't lose sight of our objective. We want to persuade this girl to give evidence against Maurer. If she were allowed to talk to Weiner there is a good chance he'll talk about himself. It's possible he might even talk to her about Maurer. She's bound to want to know why he accepted the order to murder her. To justify himself in her eyes he may let her into the secrets of the organization. Coming from him it may have a startling effect. Up to now, she doesn't believe a word I say. She imagines I'm only interested in getting her to give evidence, and that I'm deliberately colouring the background to influence her. Coming from Weiner it might make her realize where her duty lies. I don't know. It's a problem, but I'm inclined to let them meet and talk."

"Hmm, yes; there's something in that. But suppose he puts her off still more? He may throw a scare into her that'll keep her permanently quiet. Thought of that?"

"Then he won't be practising what he'll be preaching. At least, he's talked himself, and she knows he has admitted he was ordered to kill her. I've told her."