far down the line to have access to such information, but it was a
pity. I changed my tack again and suddenly shot the question. “Who
killed my brother?” Kane’s mouth twitched. “Oh God. It was Jim – and
and Ramirez. They killed him.”He looked mortally sick.
“And you helped them.” He shook his head violently. “No – I had
nothing to do with it.” “But you were there.” “I don’t know nothing
about it.” “Look, Kane, stop lying to us. You were with Hadley when
he went to see Schouten to get the death certificate, weren’t you?” He
nodded unwillingly.
“Then you were in on Mark’s death, damn you!” “I didn’t kill him.
It was Jim – Ramirez fixed it all up.” “Who killed Schouten?” The
answer came promptly. “It was Jim – Jim Hadley.” “And again you were
there?”
“Yes.” “But you didn’t kill Schouten, I suppose?” “No!” “And of
course you didn’t set fire to the hospital and burn fourteen people to
death?”
“I didn’t,” said Kane. “It was Jim – he’s a devil. He’s crazy mad.”
“But you were there.” “I told you I was.” “And you’ll be sentenced as
an accessory.” Kane was sweating and his whole face quivered. I said,
“Who killed Sven Norgaard?” Kane didn’t answer for a moment, and then
under the threat of our gaze he said, “It was Jim.”
“You’re not too sure about that, are you? Now, tell me again.” “I
dunno for sure – I wasn’t there. It was Jim or – or your brother.”
“My brother?” I could sense Geordie behind me, a restraining
presence.
“The cops were looking for him, weren’t they?” cried Kane
defensively.
“How was anyone to know he didn’t do it? He might have for all I know
– I wasn’t there, I tell you.” I said, “Tell me more about my
brother.
Why was he killed?” “Ramirez didn’t – didn’t tell me,” he muttered..
“Don’t be smart. Answer the question.” “Well, they didn’t ever tell
me everything. I think he was holding out on something.
Something Ramirez wanted. I think it had something to do with those
stones. I never – never killed him or nobody!” I straightened up and
said wearily, “Well, my lilywhite friend, so you didn’t kill anyone,
you were never anywhere, and you’re as pure as driven snow. I think
you’re a damned liar, but it doesn’t matter. You’ll be an accessory
all the same.
I believe they still use the guillotine out here.” .
As Kane flinched I said, “Anyone got any more questions?” Campbell
said harshly, “You seem to have covered it. I can’t think of anything
right now. Later maybe.” “Geordie?” He shook his head.
“We’ll be back, Kane. As soon as we think up some new questions.
I think you’ve been lying like Ananias, and I warned you what would
happen if you lied. You’d better think about that.” Kane looked at
the bulkhead moodily. “I’ve told no lies.” Campbell said, “I wouldn’t
make any attempt to break out, Kane or you’ll wind up deader than a
frozen mackerel. You’ll be safer in a cabin than outside – the crew
here don’t like you and they may shoot to kill if they see you, so stay
put.
It’s better for your health.” Outside the cabin we looked at one
another bleakly. “I could do with that drink now,” I said heavily.
“I’m sick to my stomach.” We sat in the saloon for a while, letting
tiredness wash over us and feeling the overwrought emotions of the last
few hours seep away. There was too much to think about, and we all
needed sleep badly. Geordie had Kane removed to a small cabin that
he’d had prepared, which had been stripped of everything bar a bunk,
with a padlock to the door, so that we were free to turn in in our own
bunks.
Campbell said, “I want to hear the whole story of this cutting-out
expedition of yours, but we’ll save it for tomorrow. And I want some
ideas about Kane.” And on that note we turned in, with the dawn
already showing at the end of what had to be the most energetic day of
my life.
The next day started late for everyone except the hands watch, and it
was a quiet and thoughtful start to the voya There was an air of
reserved jubilation on board which w not entirely shared by Campbell or
me. Over a late breakfast I spoke to Clare and Paula about the events
of the previous night. “You got back to the ship smartly,” I said.
“Well done.” “Nick was great. But maybe not so well done Ramirez must
have seen us leaving,” said Clare.
“Not necessarily. He’ll have spotted Esmerelda right away and knew we
were here. I’m still not sure why he finally joined us. He surely
didn’t think we’d give up and go away, or hand over our knowledge,
simply for his asking,” I mused.
Clare said, “From what I know about him, he would prefer to bring
things to a confrontation after a while. Just to see how we might
react to his baiting. I don’t think he’s as subtle as all that.”
“Where were you during the big excitement?” “Pop was as mad as a bull
when we came on board and he found out what was going on. He was sure
it would end up in trouble, maybe a riot, so he made us both go below
and promise to stay there.” She giggled. “We saw Ramirez go
overboard, though – it was fantastic.” “You cheated,” I said.
Paula said sedately, “And we knew that Mr Campbell would give you a
bawling out as soon as we left harbour. We didn’t think you’d like an
audience so we stayed below.” “I think we’ve been forgiven,” I said.
“You’ve got Kane aboard, we know that,” Clare said and became graver.
“It must have been rotten having to interrogate hirri. Have you
learned much?” “It was rotten, and we’ve learned practically
nothing.
He is wholly despicable.” Clare caught my hand across the table.
“Horrible for you, poor Mike,” she said and I wanted again desperately
to be alone with her somewhere. At that moment, as if by
prearrangement, Campbell appeared and our hands slid apart. Clare got
up to prepare his meal.
Over breakfast, joined by Geordie, I filled Campbell in on the events
of the night. When we’d finished the narrative he actually chuckled.
“My God, I wish I’d been there.”
“Pop, you know you didn’t approve,”said Clare.
He sighed. “I know, I know. But there comes a time when you have to
hit out regardless of consequence. Maybe I getting too old and safety
conscious.” He turned to Geordie.
“How long do you give Ramirez to repair the damage?” “A hell of a long
time if he has to depend on facilities in Nuku’alofa. That engine
should never run again, if Jim placed his charge correctly.” “He’ll
pour out money like water,” predicted Campbell. “He’ll have a new
engine flown in with a crew to install it -that’s what I’d do. I give
him three weeks – not more than four to be at sea again, and on our
tail.” I said, “The sea is big. He may never find us.” “He knows
something about Falcon Island, and he can guess we do too. But let’s
hope you’re right,” said Campbell and raised his glass of orange
juice.
“Here’s to you, Captain Flint. I never thought I’d ship with a pirate
crew, and I’m still not sure I approve. But you did a good job.” He
drank, then added, “I sure hope Ramirez didn’t run to the cops.”
“We’ll soon find out. I’ve posted a lookout at the masthead with
orders to watch astern,” Geordie said.
Campbell folded his hands on the table. “Now let’s talk about Kane.”
He was unhappy at the thought of keeping the man on board, for a number
of sound reasons. He needed constant guarding, would require food,
exercise and a check on his apparently wavering health, and was rather
like a stone in one’s shoe – a continuing nagging irritation that would
work on everyone’s nerves. “As long as we have him with us he’s a
liability,”he said. “He’s told us nothing of value – I don’t think he
knows anything much – and he’s a danger to us all every moment he’s on
board. So what the hell can we do about it? “You don’t think he’d be
useful as a hostage?” I asked- ‘ They both looked at me sadly. “Mike,
he’s even more worthless to Ramirez than he is to us,”Campbell said.
“They’d knock him off like a shot if they had to, without a moment’s
hesitation. His only value, perhaps, is in being an eventual witness
should there be any police proceedings, and that could work both
ways.”
Geordie said,”It looks as though Ramirez did keep mum.
A patrol boat would have caught up with us by now.” “Maybe,” said