Chuck Lazer moved out of the shadows into the light of the solitary lamp above the gate. He looked like a dead man walking, the skin stretched tightly over the emaciated face, the dark fringe beard accentuating the sallowness of his skin.

His eyes asked the question and Nick gave him the answer. ‘It’s Ben I’m afraid. Shot twice at close quarters from the look of it. Do you want to go in?’

The shock was obviously very great and something seemed to go out of Lazer in a long sigh. He shook his head. ‘What would be the point?’

‘Can I give you a lift?’

‘Where to?’ Lazer shook his head. ‘He was a nice guy. Too nice to go out this way.’

He turned to walk away and Nick said urgently: ‘Chuck, you wouldn’t do anything silly, would you?’

Lazer shrugged. ‘Does it matter, General? Does anything really matter in this lousy world?’

‘We’ll find who did it. We’ll run them down.’

‘So what? It won’t bring Ben back. Christ Jesus, General, don’t you ever stop to ask yourself what it’s all supposed to be about?’

He started to walk away and Nick went after him quickly, catching his arm. ‘I’m going up to see Bella, Chuck. We’ll need her for the official identification. Come with me. You can stay in the car if you like.’

‘What’s the angle?’

‘Let’s just say one good man gone is enough for one night. I probably couldn’t take another.’

Lazer stared at him sombrely for several moments without speaking and then nodded twice as if understanding. Together, they walked back to the car.

23

The house in St Martin’s Wood was still ablaze with lights as they drove up, but only four cars were parked in the drive. Music from the record player still sounded faintly through the curtained windows of the Long Room and Nick turned to Lazer.

‘Want to come in with me? Sounds as if the party’s still going strong.’

‘Why not? Maybe they could do with a good piano man.’

They went up the steps together. The door was locked and Nick pressed the bell button hard, keeping his thumb in place for a good half minute.

When the door finally opened, Craig stared out. The side of his face was swollen and angry looking, a purpling bruise already in evidence. From the look of his eyes he had been drinking and he glared.

‘What in the hell do you want? The party’s over.’

‘Doesn’t sound that way to me.’

Nick pushed him back with a good stiff arm and walked inside. The hall was empty, but in the Long Room two couples still circled the floor aimlessly and a man in a dinner jacket slept on a Regency divan near the fireplace.