Black Wattle Creek (Charlie Berlin #2)(71)

Number eleven was a second-floor room and looked rather homely. Berlin was surprised. The room had floral curtains in a heavy fabric, dark red carpet, and a simple double bed with a framed painting of a sunset mounted over it. There was a wall-mounted wash basin in one corner and an armchair that looked like it might have come from an expensive living-room set.

‘Not quite what I expected, Lazlo.’

‘Rose runs a genteel establishment, though it must be said she has other places that cater to more exotic tastes.’ He sat on the bed and indicated that Berlin could have the armchair. ‘Now tell me, why are we here, my friend?’

Berlin took off his overcoat before he sat down. The room was very warm. ‘Remember I told you the other day I was into something I didn’t understand?’

Lazlo lit a cigarette after Berlin declined his offer. ‘You did.’

‘Well, I understand a lot more now than I really want to. And none of it is pretty.’

‘And now you are in danger?’

‘You can tell?’

‘You were troubled when I came to visit with Bruce and now it is worse. This can be seen by your face. And Rebecca and the children, are they also in danger?’

Berlin nodded.

Lazlo sat forward, concern showing on his face. ‘Charlie, how can I help? Perhaps this is my fault.’

‘Why would you think that?’

‘I gave you a licence-plate number, remember? And described two men and a van. This is related, am I correct?’

‘It’s related, but I was already heading down this track when 1, met you.’

‘So tell me, what can I do? He paused. ’There are people of my acquaintance who possess certain skills and are most happy to use them if the circumstances demand it.’

Berlin stood up and took the envelope from his trouser pocket. ‘Thanks for the offer but this is my insurance policy. I’m going to see some people who have to believe that if something happens to me or my family, what is written here will be made public.’ He handed the envelope to Lazlo and sat down again.

Lazlo held the envelope in both hands. ‘So you want me to take this letter to the newspapers, should circumstances demand it? Unfortunate circumstances.’

‘That’s the plan, Lazlo, and I’m hoping just the existence of this letter will do the trick. But there’s a problem and it’s a big one. The local papers won’t print it, nor will the papers in the UK, and probably in America too.’

‘And now I think I begin to understand, Charlie.’

‘I thought you might. I have a feeling the only place it could possibly get published is in Eastern Europe.’

Lazlo found Berlin’s eyes with his own. ‘You mean Hungary, right Charlie?’

‘I suppose so. Actually, any place would do. Moscow perhaps.’

‘Moscow?’ Lazlo smiled a wry smile. ‘Are you asking me if I am really persona non grata with the Hungarian government, with the Soviets?’

‘Lazlo, even if you were on top of the NKVD’s ten most wanted list, someone behind the Iron Curtain is going to want to put that story out.’

‘They are called KGB now, Charlie, and they do not keep a ten most wanted list. They simply list former enemies, all of whom happen to be deceased. But in any case, perhaps I can be of help in this matter.’ He turned the sealed envelope over several times, slowly, studying it. ‘Might I read the letter?’

‘If you really want to, but I’d advise against it. It will be the final nail in the coffin for whatever hope you might have held out for mankind.’

‘Perhaps I won’t then. But Charlie, I still know people. I promise you that if anything should happen, this will most definitely be published.’ He put the envelope into his suit-coat pocket. ‘In the meanwhile I will keep it safe for you, and pray that it keeps you safe.’

Thanks Lazlo, I really appreciate it. But the sad thing is, even if everything works out all right we probably shouldn’t make contact for a while. I don’t want these people putting two and two together. Enough people have been hurt already.’

‘Then it is fortunate that I am going away, is it not?’

Berlin recalled what the woman had said downstairs. ‘So, Rose was right? Where are you off to?’

‘The Snowy Mountains. There is still a lot of work up there, on the hydroelectric scheme. The dams and runnels are far from finished and the money is very, very good. Summer is coming and I have friends working for the Authority who have been asking me to join them for some time now.’

‘You over driving hearses then?’

Lazlo appeared to be surprised at the question. The hearse is no more, Charlie, have you not heard?’

There was an accident?’

‘In a manner of speaking, I suppose. My former employer it seems fell asleep smoking in bed in his room above the parlour and burned down the whole place.’

Which explained why no one was answering the phone at Callahan’s, Berlin realised.

‘It is a great tragedy and a loss to the community,’ Lazlo continued.

‘If you say so, Lazlo.’ Berlin didn’t feel Callahan’s passing was in fact a great loss, and it saved him having to put in a call to the vice squad.

‘And then, Charlie, at the height of the blaze the side wall of the building collapsed and fell on the hearse, which I had left parked there in pristine condition only hours before.’