‘It was when I said Walter Shirer was here in Naples.’ She was leaning forward, staring at me. ‘Why did the name Shirer upset you?’
‘I told you, that day in Milan when I was leaving — only you wouldn’t believe me. His name’s not Shirer. It’s Sansevino. Tell Maxwell that. Tell him that the man Reece escaped with was Sansevino.’
I saw her eyes widen. ‘But this Dr. Sansevino is dead — he died in 1945. Besides, Alec has seen Shirer in Milan. He would have known if it wasn’t Shirer.’ She was looking at me oddly. ‘I think that doctor was right. You are ill.’
I felt frustration and anger mounting inside me. ‘Do you think I don’t know who the man is? That last night in Milan — I lay in bed in the dark and felt his hands on my leg. I knew those hands. I’d know them if a thousand hands were touching my leg.’
Her eyes had dropped to my artificial limb. The metal of it was showing beneath my pyjama trousers. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘Last night Maxwell told me what happened to you when you are a prisoner. I did not mean to—’ She didn’t finish and got to her feet.
‘You don’t believe me, do you?’ I, too, had risen.
‘I think perhaps you were right. You do need a holiday. I didn’t realise it would be such a shock—’
I caught hold of her then. ‘You little fool!’ I snapped, almost shaking her. ‘You come here for the truth. I give it you and you don’t believe me.’
‘ Please, Mr. Farrell.’ She took hold of my hands gently and pulled them away from her shoulders.’ Why not lie down for a bit? I don’t think you should be out here on the balcony. The glare—’
I started to say something, but she stopped me. ‘You mustn’t excite yourself any more.’ Her eyes looked at me sadly. ‘I’ll let myself out.’ Then she turned and went through into the room. I heard the door close. I was alone then with the knowledge that Sansevino was here in Naples.