Tangier by William Bayer Read Free Book Online Page B

you're not particularly impressed."
    "Oh," said Hamid. "I am. But forgive me if I keep my feelings to myself. In this office I've heard every sort of confession. I listen, I observe, but I refuse to judge."
    "Ah. Then you're a student of human nature, a man much like myself. Still I'm glad I've told you this. Better for you to understand me than to think me mad for what I'm going to do. I want Pumpkin Pie released. I won't press charges, and I withdraw everything I've said. He didn't steal my car—I handed him the keys."
    Hamid studied him a moment. "You realize, of course, that you'll have to pay damages, settle with the injured man? A Moroccan judge, knowing that you're rich, will want to teach you a lesson. It'll be extremely expensive—you can be sure of that."
    "Yes, yes." Inigo waved his hands. "I understand. And I'm resigned. Money means nothing in the end. I simply want to return to my house, face my easel, and paint." He was quiet for a moment, then lowered his voice. "Tell me, Inspector. When will you let him go?"
    "An hour or so. Aziz will show you where to post the bond."
    "I brought my checkbook just in case."
    "No guarantee, of course, that he'll return to your house."
    "Oh, I know that. But he will. Sooner or later he will. He needs me, in his way, as much as I need him."
    They both rose then, and Hamid shook his hand.
    "I accept your decision, though I think you're making a mistake."
    "Of course," said Inigo. "I'll pay for it later. I know that. But there's nothing I can do. It's my flaw—the flaw in my character, you see."
    When Aziz came back Hamid asked him what he thought. "The Nasranis are all mad," he said.
    "Perhaps, Aziz. Perhaps. Now give me a few minutes to smoke a cigarette. Then bring in Vice-Consul Knowles."
    The session with the Americans was quick. The prisoner was brought up, sat numb in his chair while Aziz read aloud from his dossier. When that was finished Hamid asked him if he agreed with the reported facts. The American shook his head and stared down at the floor.
    "Listen here," Hamid said, "you'd do much better to confess. It's your word against a man of the police. Tell us who sold you the hash, sign a confession, and maybe the judge will go easy on you. But make us prove our case and the sentence will certainly be harsh." When he saw that this had no effect, he signaled Aziz to take him back to his cell. "Think about it," he shouted when the American was passing through the door.
    He looked at Knowles, who seemed anxious and stiff. Hamid didn't particularly like him, though he wasn't certain exactly why. Sometimes in the mornings, driving to work, he saw the Vice-Consul and his wife jogging parallel to Vasco de Gama, appearing and disappearing among the trees and mists. He passed over the prisoner's passport, watched while Knowles copied the number down.
    "Well, Mr. Knowles, what do you think?"
    "You're asking me?"
    "Why not?"
    Knowles squinted, then shook his head. "A hippie. I think he's a hippie." He ran his fingers through his hair.
    "But he denies everything—now why does he do that?"
    "I don't know why you ask me, Inspector. I know nothing about the case."
    "You know as much as I do. You're his fellow countryman. I was hoping you'd help me understand the processes of his mind."
    Knowles shrugged. Hamid studied him for a moment, then decided to make a leap. "I have the feeling," he said, "that you don't much like this work."
    "The work's all right. It's just, well—"
    "Aren't you happy in our little town?"
    "Yeah. Of course. Tangier's great."
    "What is it then? Every time I see you you look disturbed. I know it's not pleasant to come into a police station, but I wonder if there's something more than that."
    "I guess I'm a little nervous—"
    "You know I've been observing you, Mr. Knowles."
    "You have?"
    "Oh, yes. Not you especially. But I watch everything, and I've seen you too."
    Knowles turned away.
    "A week ago, for instance, there were several occasions