THE MAN WITH HIS back to the door (it had to be Trotter) was smiling.
Roger knew it was a false smile, bravado, designed to upset him. He resolved not to let it.
“Mr. Trotter,” he said. “Stand aside, please.”
“Let’s talk for a minute.”
“Stand aside. I don’t want to hurt Miss Hudson.”
“Damn right, you don’t. The second you do, you are ground round. I promise you that personally.”
“I have the gun, Mr. Trotter. You seem to be unarmed.”
“I don’t have a gun. But I’m about the only government employee in this building who doesn’t. It’s only respect for Miss Hudson that keeps them from killing you now, and that won’t last.”
“You’re talking as if you have a suggestion to make.”
“I do. Take me instead.”
“Why should I?”
“Better for you. Not to brag, or anything, but I’m important. I assume you know why you were sent to kill Smolinski.”
“I know.” It had been one of the things Control insisted on telling him. They feared this Trotter. They were afraid to make him angry. If the Russians had so much respect for him, our own government would probably do anything to keep him safe. Much more, in the perverted way Godless governments had of looking at things, than they would to save an innocent girl. Furthermore, it would allow him to risk the life of a spy, whose soul was undoubtedly a catalog of sins, rather than Miss Hudson’s. It looked like a good offer. It looked too good.
“All right,” Roger said, “that’s why I should do this. Why should you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean. Why are you putting your life in danger?”
“It’s embarrassing,” Trotter said. He sounded apologetic.
Roger had no more time to waste playing games. “If it’s too embarrassing, then, never mind. Move aside.”
“I’m in love with Miss Hudson. I’m not supposed to leave myself open for emotions like that, but I am. I’d do anything to protect her, it’s as corny and as simple as that.”
Miss Hudson said, “Allan.” It was the first time she had spoken since he’d baptized the dead FBI man.
“And love embarrasses you?” Roger said. He would never understand how these men survived such an evil existence.
“It’s against my training,” Trotter said.
“Why should I believe you?”
Anger flashed in Trotter’s eyes. “Show a little Faith, Reverend.”
It was ironic. A man like that reminding Roger to have Faith. He used his faith now, taking a few seconds to think and pray. The Lord gave him a plan.
“Here,” he said, “is what I am willing to do. You will stand aside from the door. Miss Hudson will open the door and stand in the open doorway. You will drop to your hands and knees and align yourself in a straight line with her. Miss Hudson will walk backward across the catwalk. You will crawl. I will follow. I will give Miss Hudson a ten-to fifteen-foot head start. When she reaches the door at the other end of the catwalk, she may go through, and go wherever she likes, and I’ll proceed with your valuable self, Mr. Trotter. Until the far side of the catwalk, if you attempt to do anything but what I tell you, I will shoot Miss Hudson. If she does anything, I’ll shoot you. If anyone else tries to interfere, any of Mr. Rines’s men or anyone else, I’ll shoot you both. Is that clear?”
Now Trotter was thinking. “It’s clear enough,” he said. He did not look happy.
“Do you agree, Mr. Trotter?” Roger demanded.
Trotter’s face was sour. “I wish I’d gotten to know you better. Why didn’t you ring the bell when you dumped Hannah Stein’s body in my hallway? Why’d you dump her there at all?”
“Did you baptize her, too?” Regina Hudson asked.
“Of course he did,” Trotter said. “That’s why everybody’s hair was wet. Mr. Nelson wouldn’t just kill somebody and leave them naked to the powers of hell. What kind of Christian would that be?”
“A very poor one,” Roger said. “She left the house that night specifically to meet me. I was instructing her. She was a good girl. And I left her in your hallway on orders. They wanted to try to tie you up with the police, to distract you until they attained their objective. Apparently, Mrs. Hudson continued to surprise them with her stubbornness, and anyway, the police weren’t interested in you. Now, are we done wasting time? Do you accept my offer?”
“What if I don’t?”
“If you don’t, you stand aside, and I proceed with Miss Hudson. If you refuse to stand aside, I will shoot you dead. Unfortunately, I won’t have the chance to baptize you.”
“I bet that would just break your heart.”
“In spite of your cynicism, Mr. Trotter, it would. I will pray for you and hope some other clergyman can be found to perform the proper rites before your soul is hopelessly lost. Now, for the last time, do you agree?”
By way of an answer, Trotter dropped to his hands and knees. “Do I have to bark?” he asked.
Roger almost smiled in spite of himself. “That won’t be necessary, Mr. Trotter. Miss Hudson, open the door, please. Stand there with your back to the catwalk. Right away, please, or I’ll have to shoot Mr. Trotter.”
“Go ahead, Regina,” Trotter said, “do it.”