‘Why come to me?’ I asked.
‘I thought you might know something,’ he said.
‘Look,’ I answered wearily. ‘I know nothing about this business.’
‘You saw Maxwell in Pilsen.’
‘Yes. And he gave me a message to deliver to you.’
‘Was that before or after your interview with the police?’
‘After.’ Then I saw what he was driving at and I could have hit him. He thought I might have got out of the clutches of the Czech security police by giving information to them. I got to my feet. ‘I see no point in continuing this discussion,’ I said. ‘I’m glad to know Jan Tucek didn’t crash. As to where he is now, I can’t help you.’
‘For God’s sake sit down,’ he said. ‘I’m not suggesting you had anything to do with it. But I must find him. It’s vitally important. Sit down — please.’ I hesitated. He pushed his fingers through his fair hair. He looked damnably tired.
‘All right,’ I said, resuming my seat. ‘Now, what do you want to know?’
‘Just tell me everything that happened to you in Pilsen — everything, however unimportant. It may help.’