But if he died!
She would have complete freedom and sixty million dollars! With her flair, her training in law and her drive she might even become as powerful as Rolfe. There were many opportunities when you had a capital of sixty million dollars!
If he died!
She looked at the red folder. Should she destroy the letter? Not yet, she told herself. If he recovered, she would have to return the folder to his desk, but if he died, then she wouldn’t hesitate to destroy it.
She looked around the room for a safe hiding place, then going to the closet, she took from it one of her suitcases which was now empty. She put the folder in the suitcase and put the suitcase under another empty suitcase. It would be safe there.
The time now was 23.40. How much longer would she have to wait? She began to pace up and down the big room, keeping away from the open window. She didn’t want any of the waiting reporters to spot her. She was still pacing and thinking half an hour later when Dr. Levi tapped on the door.
‘How is he?’
‘It is too early yet to say,’ Levi shut the door. ‘I am sorry, Mrs. Rolfe, but it is serious. It depends on what happens during the next two or three days. Everything is being done. If there is progress after tomorrow, there is hope. I will remain here. Dr. Bellamy is most competent. You must be patient, Mrs. Rolfe. You will be kept informed.’
‘Two or three days?’
‘It is possible that by tomorrow we will know.’
‘I must be told!’ she said. ‘Serious? What does that mean?’
Dr. Levi took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. Without looking at her, he said, ‘Complete paralysis of the right arm, certainly brain damage and possibly the loss of speech.’ He then replaced his glasses, but still didn’t look at her.
Helga felt a cold chill run through her. This was something she wouldn’t wish on anyone, even Herman.
‘But he has already almost lost the use of his legs,’ she said, half to herself.
Dr. Levi said gently, ‘It is a tragic thing, but I did warn him.’
‘You mean he won’t be able to speak again?’
‘That remains to be seen. I fear not. I suggest you rest now, Mrs. Rolfe. There is nothing you can do. I have here something to make you sleep.’
‘It would be kinder if he died,’ she said and shivered. ‘No legs, no speech, no right hand.’
Dr. Levi put a capsule on the table.
‘Please take this, Mrs. Rolfe, and go to bed.’
When he had gone, she sat down, ignoring the capsule. As she sat there, her fists clenched in her lap, she willed him to die, not now for her sake, but for his.
Stanley Winborn told Helga that at the last moment it had been decided that Loman, as vice president of the Rolfe Electronic Corporation, would serve a more useful purpose by remaining in New York. Now that the news had leaked, the shares of the Corporation would come under pressure. That was inevitable, but it meant little: you had only to sneeze these days for the Dow Jones index to slide, but Loman should remain at the helm: Winborn used phrases like that.
He had arrived at the Diamond Beach hotel at 11.15. Looking through the slots of the sun blinds, keeping out of sight, Helga watched him get out of the Silver Shadow, pause to talk to the reporters who had been there now for the past fourteen hours.
Although she hated him, she had to admit that Stanley Winborn was a distinguished, handsome looking man with the touch of the elder statesman about him. He was tall and thin with thick dark hair with white wings, a cool aloof expression, always immaculately dressed and a razor sharp legal brain. He treated everyone, including Helga, with cold distant politeness. She couldn’t remember ever seeing him smile, let alone laugh.
Having spent a few minutes with the reporters, allowing photographers to set off their flash lights, he disappeared into the hotel.
It was almost an hour before he came to her suite. No doubt, she thought, he had been consulting Dr. Levi. Winborn always obtained facts and information before he moved into action. While she waited, she glanced at the newspapers. The majority of them carried banner headlines:
She thought of the avalanche of inquiries, condolences, telegrams, cables and letters this line of print would cause. She hoped they would be directed to the New York office and not here.
‘A sorry affair,’ Winborn said as he entered the suite and he murmured sympathy which irritated Helga. ‘It appears to be serious.’
‘Yes.’
‘Is there anything I can do for you, Mrs. Rolfe?’ The steel grey eyes ran over her. ‘I am, of course at your disposal.’
‘There is nothing, thank you.’
A pause, then Winborn said, ‘Mr. Rolfe has just concluded an important contract with the Japanese government. He was about to send me the draft contract when this dreadful thing happened. The matter is urgent. Would you know where the draft is?’
Without thinking, Helga said, ‘Hinkle will know.’
As soon as she had said this, she realized the danger. If Winborn got talking to Hinkle about Herman’s papers, there was a possibility that Hinkle might mention the damning letter, but she need not have worried.
Winborn lifted an eyebrow.
‘I would prefer not to discuss Mr. Rolfe’s affairs with a servant,’ he said.
You goddamn snob! Helga thought, but thank God you are a snob!
‘May I trouble you to come with me, Mrs. Rolfe,’ Winborn went on, ‘so that we can go through his papers? This draft needs my immediate attention.’
Another escape! If she hadn’t had the foresight to remove the red folder, Winborn would have pounced on it.
‘Yes, of course.’
They went into Rolfe’s suite. The two uniformed guards were still at the head of the stairs and by the elevator. They saluted and Winborn, who loved recognition, inclined his head. The door was opened by a fat, kindly-faced nurse who let them in.
‘Please be as quiet as you can,’ she said softly and returned to the bedroom, shutting the door.
Winborn stood by her side as Helga went through the contents of the drawers. The folder containing the Japanese contract was quickly found. Another folder lay beneath it with Swiss Portfolio printed on it.
‘That reminds me,’ Winborn said, his voice low. ‘Loman tells me there is a two million loss on the Swiss account. Mr. Rolfe told him the loss was due to reckless speculation.’
She steadied her jumping nerves. At least Rolfe hadn’t told the truth. Neither Loman nor Winborn knew of Archer’s embezzlement.
She looked up.
‘The Swiss portfolio is my affair, Mr. Winborn. I am aware what has been lost. I have already discussed this with my husband. This is my problem... not yours.’
A slight tightening of his lips, but nothing more. He inclined his head.
‘Then I will leave you, Mrs. Rolfe.’
‘Is there anything else?’
‘Not immediately. Dr. Levi thinks that if there is any sign of improvement, Mr. Rolfe should be moved back to Paradise City where he can receive even better attention than here. A decision may be made in a couple of days. I must fly back to Miami this evening. I can, of course, rely on you to keep me informed. Then you will excuse me?.. I have a number of telephone calls to make. I am in suite 14 should you want me.’ He began to move to the door, then paused. ‘As Mr. Rolfe’s executor and legal adviser I think I should know if you are continuing to follow Mr. Archer’s advice. Two million dollars is a heavy loss.’
She looked directly at him.
‘You have no need as yet to act as an executor, Mr. Winborn, and I trust it will be many years to come before you have to,’ she said quietly.
Again the tightening of the lips, then he said, ‘I hope so too, Mrs. Rolfe. Please excuse me,’ and he left the room.