The Scarletti Inheritance - By Robert Ludlum Page 0,9
Is it true? Is he... was he insane? Or is it a trick?'
Canfield got up from the window seat. His reply was barely above a whisper. This is why I wanted to wait. You want a simple answer, and there isn't any.'
'I want to know if my... father was insane.'
'If you mean do we really have documented proof from medical authorities that he was unbalanced?... No, we do not. On the other hand, there were ten men left in Zurich, powerful men - six are still living - who had every reason in the world to want Kroeger, as they knew him, considered a lunatic... It was their only way out. And being who they were, they made sure that was the case. The Heinrich Kroeger referred to in the original file is verified by all ten to be a maniac. A schizophrenic madman. It was a collective effort that left no room for doubt. They had no choice... But if you ask me... Kroeger was the sanest man imaginable. And the crudest. You'll read that, too.'
'Why don't you call him by his right name?'
Suddenly, as if the strain had become more than he could bear, Canfield swiftly turned.
Andrew watched the angered, flushed, middle-aged man across the room. He had always loved him for he was a man to be loved. Positive, sure, capable, fun and - what was the word his stepfather had used? - vulnerable.
'You weren't just protecting Mother, were you? You were protecting me. You did what you did to protect me, too. If he ever came back, I'd be a freak for the rest of my life.'
Canfield slowly turned and faced his stepson. 'Not just you. There'd be a lot of freaks. I counted on that.'
'But not the same for them.' Young Scarlett walked back to the briefcase.
'I grant you. Not the same.' He followed the boy and stood behind him. 'I'd have given anything not to have told you, I think you know that. I had no choice. By making you part of the final conditions, Kroeger - left me no choice but to tell you the truth. I couldn't fake that - He believes that once you know the truth you'll be terrified, and I'll do anything short of killing you - perhaps even that - to keep you from going into panic. There is information in this file which could destroy your mother. Send me to prison, probably for the rest of my life. Oh, Kroeger thought it all out. But he misjudged. He didn't know you.'
'Do I really have to see him? Talk to him?'
'I'll be in the room with you. That's where the deal is made.' Andrew Scarlett looked startled. 'Then you're going to make a deal with him.' It was a distasteful statement of fact.
'We have to know what he can deliver. Once he's satisfied that I've carried out my end of the bargain, you, we'll know what it is he's offering. And for what.'
'Then I don't have to read this, do I.' It was not a question.
'All I have to do is be there - Okay, I'll be there!'
'You'll read it because I'm ordering you to!'
'All right. All right, Dad. I'll read it.'
'Thank you. I'm sorry I had to speak that way.' He began to button his overcoat.
'Sure... I deserved it... By the way, suppose Mother decides to call me at school? She does, you know.'
'There's a tap on your phone as of this morning. An intercept, to be exact. Works fine. You have a new friend named Tom Ahrens.'
'Who's he?'!
'A lieutenant in CIC. Stationed in Boston. He has your schedule and will cover the phone. He knows what to say. You went to Smith for a long weekend.'
'Jesus, you think of everything.'
'Most of the time.' Canfield had reached the door. 'I may not be back tonight.'
'Where are you going?'
'I've got some work to do. I'd rather you didn't go out but if you do, remember the cabinet. Put everything away.' He opened the door.
'I won't go anywhere.'
'Good. And Andy... you've got one hell of a responsibility ahead of you. I hope we've brought you up so you can handle it. I think you can.' Canfield walked out the door and closed it behind him.
The young man knew that his stepfather spoke the wrong words. He was trying to say something else. The boy stared at the door and suddenly he knew what that something else was.