Read 1958 - Not Safe to be Free for Free Online

his pocket. Then he went to the chest of drawers, took from it a pair of swimming trunks and, unlocking the bedroom door, he went into the lounge. He paused to fill his cigarette case from the box on the table; then he left the suite, locking the door after him. He crossed the passage to the elevator and pressed the buzzer.
    Joe Kerr watched him.
    Joe was puzzled and disappointed. What had seemed to be the situation of a lifetime had mysteriously fizzled out to nothing. Instead of a first-class row and scandal and a chance for him to have walked into the suite with his camera, nothing had happened at all.
    Sophia Delaney had left, taking with her a swimsuit and now young Delaney had also left with a swimsuit.
    But where was the girl? Why hadn’t she left?
    Joe had seen the boy lock the door: that meant the girl couldn’t leave even if she wanted to. What was the idea?
    Joe wiped his red-raw sweating face with a grubby handkerchief and tried to puzzle out what it all meant.
    The girl had gone in there and she hadn’t come out, so she must still be in there. Then why had young Delaney locked her in?
    This was now developing into an intriguing situation.
    Joe peered up and down the long, deserted corridor, then he left his hiding place and crossed over to the door of suite.
    He listened intently, his ear against the door panel, but he could hear nothing. He hesitated for a moment, then, lifting his hand, he rapped sharply on the door. He knocked several times, but he heard no movement nor sound from within the suite and he stepped back puzzled.
    He was certain she was still in there. Had young Delaney warned her not to answer a knock?
    Then he suddenly became aware that he was being watched and he moved casually away from the door and glanced down the corridor. At the far end, leading to the stairs, he saw the short, bulky figure of the hotel detective. With the resourcefulness of years of experience as a newspaperman, Joe started down the corridor towards the detective, who eyed him suspiciously as he came.
    “Mr. Delaney doesn’t seem to be in,” Joe said as soon as he was within a few paces of the hotel detective.
    “No, he isn’t,” the detective snapped. “Didn’t you inquire at the desk?”
    “Why, sure,” Joe said blandly. “I was told he was in his suite.”
    “That was the young Mr. Delaney, but he’s out now. You don’t want him, do you?”
    Joe sneered.
    “What should I want him for? Never mind. I’ll come back.” He moved around the hotel detective and started down the stairs, whistling softly, aware the detective was staring after him.
    That was bad luck, Joe thought, as he edged his way through the crowd in the lobby. I wonder how long he’s going to remain up there? Anyway, the girl can’t get out until young Delaney returns.
    He crossed over to the hall porter’s desk.
    “When any of the Delaneys go up to their suite, let me know, will you?” he said to the hall porter. “I’ll be in the bar.” Reluctantly he parted with a thousand franc note. “Don’t forget: it’s important.”
    The hall porter said he’d let him know, took the note and then moved away.
    Joe crossed over to a telephone booth and asked the girl on the switchboard to connect him with the Delaneys’ suite. There was a long pause, then the girl said, “I’m sorry, monsieur, no one answers.”
    Joe replaced the receiver and edged his way through the crowd into the bar. As he pushed open the swing door, he saw the hands of the clock above the bar stood at five minutes to five.
    At that hour the bar was almost empty. Joe shocked the barman by asking for a plate of ham, a roll and butter and a double whisky.
    He was sure the girl was still in the suite. No point in going hungry, he told himself as he began to butter his roll. The wait could be a long one, but he was determined to see the girl leave, even if he had to wait outside the door of the suite all night.
     

Chapter Three
     
    I
     
    J ean Thiry walked out of