LITMIR.BIZ

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quite taken by her youth and vitality. His mood changed rapidly, however, as it suddenly dawned on him that she was methodically plotting the destruction of a valuable piece of hardware. At the end there was a flash of green then the screen went blank.

      ‘Thank you, Carl.’ Develin sighed as he swiveled in his chair and prepared to rise. ‘I shall have to give thought to some form of punishment. Perhaps …’

      ‘There’s more,’ Carl said flatly. ‘This is what the second camera recorded.’

      Carl inserted another tape, preset to begin the moment Sarah positioned the chair beneath the painting. Although at a greater distance, the secondary camera recorded down the length of the room. He stood back and calmly watched and waited for Develin’s reaction.

      ‘Turn it off!’ Develin hissed as he sprang from his chair. ‘Where’s Laird?’

      ‘In his room; sleeping peacefully, I assume. I’ve kept him under close surveillance, of course. If he should try his door, he’ll find it locked. As far as I know he is unaware that there’s anything amiss. I checked and the keys came from the safe in the security room. How the hell he got hold of them God only knows.’ He paused, suddenly concerned. ‘Dick, I have a transcription of what was said if you …’

      ‘I heard what was said.’

      ‘It seems apparent that Miss Churchill was taken completely by surprise so it’s safe to assume, I think, that she’s quite innocent of any ...’

      Develin laughed wickedly. ‘Innocent! Yes, well, we will soon see, won’t we?’ He paused, considering. ‘I think we should give Laird just enough rope. Agreed?’

      ‘Agreed,’ Carl replied, smiling broadly.

      *****

      Develin stood, hands behind his back, as the report from Boston poured from the telex machine. After three pages it halted, humming contentedly for a moment before pushing through a fourth page.

      ‘There’s more, sir, for your eyes only,’ Laird advised as he neatly ripped the length of paper from the machine then stepped back.

      Two more pages followed before the machine gave a final convulsive trill then fell silent. With nothing more than a cursory glance, Develin extracted the pages, folded them and tucked them inside his jacket before turning to Laird. ‘Well?’

      Laird looked up and smiled thinly. ‘Absolutely no indications whatsoever of any inherent genetic weakness, sir. She is totally healthy in every respect.’

      ‘Then we can proceed,’ Develin responded his tone flat, glacial.

      ‘Sir, I believe I mentioned earlier my concerns regarding timing.’ Laird paused, suddenly anxious.

      ‘I have read your report, Laird, and have, in fact, marked down the date you yourself suggested. If memory serves, it is a week from today. Is that correct?’

      Laird nodded. ‘Sir, I, ah…’

      ‘I have also taken into account what you have said regarding the chances of a virgin, such as Miss Churchill,’ he smiled coolly, ‘successfully conceiving during this fertile period. I can assure you there will be no difficulty, since I have every intention of bedding her well in advance of the date prescribed.’

      ‘I, ah … I think it would be better if you gave her more time to settle in. She’s only been here a couple of days, and well, a month would…’

      ‘I have absolutely no wish to wait any longer, Laird. Besides,’ Develin turned and faced Laird square on, ‘I am sure that you, given the chance, would also be eager to explore the possibilities offered by this young girl. Or am I mistaken?’ Cold blue eyes regarded Laird fixedly.

      ‘I just thought, that … I mean, if she had an opportunity to get to know you better and, ah ... you her. A month perhaps to woo her and …’

      ‘Woo her! Are you mad? This subject has been discussed before. A month ago you had no qualms whatsoever so why this sudden change in attitude?’

      Laird stood his ground, returning Develin’s gaze directly. ‘Because a month ago I was dealing with an abstract concept. It didn’t occur to me then that I was going to find myself party to the rape of an innocent young girl.’

      ‘Get out, you little bastard before I kill you where you stand. Carl, show Doctor Laird out.’ Develin was shaking with rage. ‘Laird!’ he shouted across the length of the room, ‘I will have her this very night, do you hear me and there’s not a goddamn thing you can do about it.’

      *****

      Seefan stood in the small, almost intimate music room amid a collection of instruments, including a baby grand, shiny black, its keys covered.

      She remembered a time, years ago now, when he had played for her here, in this room. Such beautiful music it had been, so romantic, so pleasant. Then her heart sank as she remembered the rest of that night when it had not been so romantic; or so pleasant.

      She walked to the window and watched the sheep crop the short grass in the circular area formed by the driveway, the swoop of a bird, the afternoon sun pale behind a thin blanket of cloud.

      She didn’t hear Develin enter the room, nor was she aware of his presence until he was perhaps ten feet from her. She turned, smiled pleasantly then bowed low, her gold jewelry making a pleasant tinkling sound as she moved.

      ‘Seefan, you look well. Could it be that a diet of pizza and Coke agrees with you?’

      ‘Lord, you wish to speak with me?’ she whispered, keeping her eyes averted as she had been taught to do.

      ‘I have brought you a gift,’ he said as he retrieved a tiny gold and silver casket from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. Seefan took it eagerly then opened it to reveal a single precious black pearl. ‘It is of the finest quality. There are more, of course, provided that you do all that I ask of you.’

      ‘My lord,’ Seefan whispered as she bowed before him.

      ‘Now, I believe you have something for me.’

      She looked up at him in alarm.

      ‘Give it to me,’ he demanded.

      She extracted an envelope from inside her sari and handed it to him. Her fingers trembled. She watched as he turned towards the window and looked outside, turning the envelope around and around between his fingers as if reluctant to read the note contained inside.

      ‘I know not what it is,’ Seefan said, her voice tight with apprehension.

      ‘Don’t you, Seefan?’ He asked as he slit the envelope open.

      Dear Miss Churchill – Sarah

      There is no time now for explanations. Know only that I love you and will do all I can to see you free of this monster. In the library tonight, knock on the panel door when he is far enough away from you, across the room. One good shot, my dearest, and you will be free of him, as will I.

       In Love, Peter Laird

      Develin produced an identical envelope from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He folded the note and placed it inside before sealing the envelope closed. ‘Do as Doctor Laird has asked of you, Seefan. Deliver this to Miss Churchill straight away.’

      10

      ‘No, you must Sarah - please,’ Seefan begged.

      ‘I’ve already had one meal with that bastard. Tell him I’m not hungry. Tell him I’ve got a headache. Whatever it takes but I categorically refuse. If he wants to have a chat in the library, fine, but no dinner.

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