Free High Water (1959) by Douglas Reeman Page B

away, shooting a curious glance at Vivian as he did so. Jensen sat silently listening to the sounds coming from the other room, then with a little sigh, he turned his attention to the other man.
    ‘I gather from Felix, that apart from being a very hot-tempered young man,’ he chuckled slightly, ‘you are also completely trustworthy. I also know that you are fully aware of what is going on around you at the present moment. Well?’ He leaned forward, his eyes compelling in their sudden brightness.
    ‘I know enough,’ said Vivian carefully.
    ‘Enough! What is enough?’ snapped Jensen, his hands tapping their impatient rhythm.
    As Vivian lowered his eyes, he hurried on, his tone impulsive.
    ‘Very well, Mr. Vivian, I will tell you! You know about the money, and where it comes from, eh? And you proved your loyalty to me by finding out that handsome, but foolish, young man David Muir. That, in my opinion, is enough!’ He paused for breath, the deformed corner of his mouth twitching uncontrollably.
    ‘Now, just a minute,’ said Vivian awkwardly, ‘I was mainly concerned in my own safety, for one thing, and for another, I didn’t much like the idea of your niece being led up the garden by Muir.’
    ‘Any more than you like the idea of her being deceived by me, and by this whole unlawful affair, is that not so?’
    Vivian winced, it was like talking to a mind-reader.
    ‘You do not have to explain, my boy, it is quite clear to me,’ he smiled briefly, ‘as is the most obvious fact, that you are in love with my little Karen.’
    He leaned back, satisfied with the effect of this bombshell on Vivian’s defences.
    ‘My feeling for Karen,’ he spoke her name carefully, as if he was handling a precious jewel, ‘is
my
business!’ he said coldly.
    Jensen’s squat figure shook with silent laughter, but he stopped, as Vivian frowned angrily.
    ‘Please, do not misunderstand my rudeness,’ he explained, ‘it was just that your feeling for Karen is the one reason for my having you here tonight.’ He paused, allowing his words to sink in. ‘To me, also, she is everything,’ he said softly. ‘As you know, I believe, I was a prisoner of the Germans for some time, when they discovered that I might be of some use to them. During the time I was in Sachsenhausen concentration camp,’ he smiled wryly, ‘ah, I see by your face that you have heard of it! Well, while I was there, I lost everything, my family, which nearly killed me, and but for my desire to escape, and to take my revenge against those swine, I would have died too! As you can see, they left very little of my own body intact too! But when I got away to England with Karen, I rebuilt my life around her. I was determined that she, at least, would never know the meaning of fear and want, and that she would one day be able to enjoy the type of life I once knew!’
    ‘I think I can understand all that,’ Vivian said quietly.
    ‘Yes, I thought I had you figured correctly. Anyway, to cut short this miserable story, when I found the means to make money, literally, I did not hesitate. Why should I? After the war, I could get nothing back. My home had gone, everything was different. I was a stranger in my own country. While all around us we see today our former enemies strong and powerful, snakes in a different guise!’ He spat out the words. ‘Oh no, Mr. Vivian, I do not hesitate! Because if I must transact business with these sort of people, I will do it the way they taught me!’
    ‘What do you want me to do?’ Vivian asked quickly.
    ‘I want you to sail for France, at once. To make one last trip for me. Then I will finish with the whole business. I will be satisfied.’
    ‘Where to, this time?’
    ‘It’s only a little beach, I could show you on a chart, but it will not be difficult for you to find. But it may be dangerous, I will be quite frank about that.’
    ‘How so?’ Vivian was amazed to find himself so calm.
    ‘I feel the authorities will be