‘Thanks to you — yes. One leg’s crushed.’
We had reached the villa now and I slid to the ground. I had the pistol ready and I was prepared to use it. I think he knew that, for he went straight into the villa. ‘Where is he?’
‘The room on the left,’ I told him.
Hilda was still kneeling beside the couch. Hacket and Reece were there looking much cleaner. ‘Here’s your doctor,’ I said to Hilda.
Hacket started forward at the sight of Sansevino. Then Reece brushed past him and seized Sansevino by the shoulder. ‘What happened to Shirer?’ he hissed. ‘Did you kill him? What happened?’
‘Let him go,’ I ordered. I could see Recce’s fist clenched, ready to lash out. His chagrin at realising how he’d been duped was eating into him, destroying his reasoning. I hit him across the knuckles with my pistol. ‘Let go, damn you!’ I shouted at him. ‘Haven’t you any sense? The man’s a doctor.’
He stared at me, his expression a mixture of shocked surprise and anger. I pushed quickly between him and Sansevino. ‘There’s your patient, doctor,’ I said. ‘Get that leg set properly. Make a slip and I’ll start shooting.’
He looked at me. ‘Please, Mr. Farrell. You do not have to threaten. I know the responsibilites of my profession.’
‘You can hardly expect me to take a remark like that very seriously,’ I answered.
He shrugged his shoulders. ‘I do what I think is necessary. I told you that before. However, I do not expect you to believe me. Do you mind if I wash?’ As I followed him, he added, ‘You do not have to worry. I shall not run away.’