This United State

by Colin Forbes

  'Here and there are patches of ice under this snow,' Newman explained.

  'I wouldn't want to skid at the speed you were going,' Paula remarked.

  'It would be all right if there was ice all the way,' Newman told her. 'Then I'd know how to handle it. But they are random patches. You hit them without warning. Ronstadt has obviously come to the same conclusion. I will give him one thing — he's an expert driver.'

  'He probably started out his career driving getaway cars in the States,' interjected Keith for the first time.

  'Just the type,' Newman agreed. 'Then worked his way up over a pile of bodies.'

  They drove on and on through the night. The black Audi convoy had slowed down. Newman guessed Ronstadt was no keener on racing across ice patches than he ' was. The moon was now illuminating the light covering of snow on the fields stretching away. In the rear of the car Paula was once more studying her map.

  'We're just about to pass junction 65. Then it's a longish run to junction 64. When we eventually reach 63 we can drive straight into Freiburg.'

  'Can I look at that map?' Tweed asked her.

  Using the torch, he examined the map. carefully. He was relying partly on his memory, but the Germans might well have changed the road layout since his previous visit. Holding on to the map, he called out to Newman.

  'When we've passed junction 65, could you pull up? I need to have a brief word with Marler.'

  'Will do...'

  'We have just passed junction 65,' Paula reported a few minutes later.

  'I know.'

  Newman reduced speed, then pulled over and parked. Marler had stopped close behind them. Without being summoned he appeared at the window which Tweed had lowered. He smiled as he leant inside.

  'So far, so good. What's the next move?'

  'Look at this map.' Tweed used the torch so Marler could see clearly. 'If Ronstadt turns off at junction 63, which I think he will, we're then on route 31 leading direct to Freiburg. But here, close to the city, the road splits. Right fork leads to the Münster — close to the Schwarzwälder Hof where we have rooms booked. Left fork will take us in close to the Colombi, where we also have rooms booked. I just have a feeling that several of the cars behind Ronstadt will peel off, taking the right fork. If that happens Paula will flash her torch three times through the rear window. That means you leave us; take the right fork, follow any cars which do peel off. Wait till the occupants have booked in at the Schwarzwälder Hof, then book in yourselves.'

  'Clear enough,' replied Marler. 'What are you going to do?'

  'Follow Ronstadt — if he does take the left fork. You can always communicate with me at the Colombi in that eventuality.'

  'I'll get back to my car.'

  'And I'd better get Moving,' Newman said as Tweed closed his window. 'There's continuous ice now under this snow, so hold on to your seat belts. I have to catch them up.'

  Once moving, he increased speed. Now and then he could feel thinner ice crunching on his wheels. He kept up his speed. Paula was tense. Tweed, having given his instructions, leant back and closed his eyes for a brief nap. There was only one moment, as they charged forward, when the car began to skid. Newman went with the skid, hands relaxed on the wheel. He came close to the steel barrier, then straightened up, slowed.

  'That's fortunate,' he remarked, 'I can see their red lights. Relax, everybody...'

  'We're very close to junction 64,' Paula reported a while later.

  'Coming up now,' Newman replied. 'There, we've passed it,' he said a few minutes later. 'So we're now heading for the vital junction 63.'

  'Which isn't too far ahead,' Paula warned.

  'The decisive moment,' said Tweed, who had opened his eyes.

  'Be funny if Ronstadt just keeps on and on,' Newman reflected. 'We'd find ourselves heading for Mannheim.'

  'Then I'd be lost,' Tweed admitted. 'All my thinking in ruins.'

  'The junction beyond — 62 — also leads to Freiburg,' Paula said optimistically.

  She sensed that the tension engendered by doubt was present in the car now. Newman had tightened his grip on the wheel. When she glanced back Keith Kent was leaning forward, staring ahead. Tweed, on the other hand, appeared to be the soul of relaxation, leaning back against his seat, his eyes half-closed.

  'I daren't get any closer,' Newman said. 'They'd be sure we are following them.'

  It was a pointless remark. Paula realized that, unusually, Newman had felt he had to say something. 'They will be sure by now,' Tweed said quietly. 'Junction 63 is coming up,' Paula said quietly.

  'I can read the signs,' Newman snapped back at her. A gloomy silence descended inside the car. No one

  spoke another word. They were staring ahead.

  33

  'We're really goin' to fool 'em good,' Ronstadt gloated. 'Poor old Tweed. He ain't gonna know what to do.'

  'If he falls for it,' warned Leo Madison, by his side.

  'Moonhead, ain't it occurred to you? I could open the door on your side and shove you out. I reckon the best you could hope for is a cracked skull.'

  Madison decided it would be best not to answer back. Ronstadt had a revolver tucked down inside his belt behind the smart suit he was wearing. Madison also recalled how Ronstadt had smashed his fist into Vernon's jaw during the meeting in his suite at the Euler. Ronstadt was a very unpredictable man.

  Some distance behind the black Audi convoy, Paula had heaved a sigh of relief when the cars ahead turned at junction 63 onto the road to Freiburg. She relaxed and Tweed squeezed her arm.

  'It's going to work out all right.'

  'I don't know how you do it. You seem to read Jake Ronstadt's mind. And I have known you do that before, with other people.'

  'There's no magic about it. I just try to put myself into the shoes of the enemy. You've got a torch ready to signal to Marler when - or if - it's necessary?'

  'I'm ready.'

  She settled down to look at the moonlit landscape. The road they were now travelling on was narrower than the autobahn but it had a good surface. It was elevated above the surrounding white fields below them and leafless trees, like sentinels, stood at intervals on either side. It was rather like driving along a tree-lined boulevard. Then she leaned forward, peering ahead. In the mid-distance reared up a brooding white massif, a range like a huge frozen wave.

  What's the grim-looking thing in the distance?' she asked.

  'That,' Tweed told her, 'is the Black Forest.'

  'Looks pretty sinister.'

  'In winter, after a heavy fall of snow, it can be beautiful.'

  'I'll take your word for it.'

  She concentrated on checking her map. They were not too far from where the road forked. When she looked ahead again the massif seemed much higher and menacing. Nearer to them she saw a wall of buildings huddled together. Above them glowed a faint halo which, she assumed, was street lights. She sat up and gazed steadily at the receding red lights of the convoy.

  Then she saw the lead car disappearing to the left. Behind it three cars turned to the right. She twisted round in her seat. Marler's car was fairly close. Lifting the torch, she carefully switched it on and off three times. She thought she saw, behind the wheel, Marler's head nodding in acknowledgement.

  'You predicted again what they were going to do,' she said to Tweed.

  'I don't always get it right.' He leaned forward. 'When you've taken the left fork, Bob, I'll try and guide you to the Colombi. Let's just hope they haven't moved it,' he added with a touch of humour.

  'Won't Ronstadt guide me there if I follow him?'

  'If I'm right, yes he will. If you're getting too close call on my help. And, everyone, when we get to our rooms, unpack the very minimum of clothing. We may have to leave the hotel very quickly …'

  They waited ten minutes parked in a dark street after Ronstadt and the three men with him had entered the Colombi. A uniformed employee took his car away. By night the dark buildings on both sides cast black shadows. In contras
t, the illuminated entrance to the Colombi looked warm and inviting. Tweed checked his watch.

  'Time to go inside. Let's hope Ronstadt and his thugs have gone to their rooms. If they're hungry they'll probably have to use room service...'

  When they alighted from their car, porters took their bags. The same employee who had driven away Ronstadt's car attempted to do the same thing with their Audi. Newman intervened.

  'I may have to drive off quickly soon. Please leave it where it is.'

  'That would be most unusual, sir.'

  'I'm an unusual man.'

  Newman smiled at him. He handed him a hundred- mark note. There was no further argument. Tweed and Paula had walked inside. While Tweed was registering Paula glanced round. The hotel reeked of luxury and taste. Leaving the reception area, Tweed glanced into a lounge, stood stock-still.

  'What is it?' whispered Paula as Newman joined them.

  'Come in and see for yourself.'

  Tweed walked in, his coat over his arm. It was like a replay of their arrival at the Three Kings. The first person he saw, leaning forward in an armchair, was Sir Guy Strangeways. In another chair, facing him, with a table between them, Sharon sat with a glass in her hand. She looked up. She raised her eyebrows, then smiled invitingly.

  'What an unexpected pleasure. Now you can host a dinner for me here tomorrow evening. No, it's almost 6 am. I should have said this evening.'

  'Are you following us?' Strangeways demanded abruptly.

  'You arrived together, then?'

  'No, we didn't,' Sharon said quickly. 'I drove myself here in a Merc. I told Guy where I was going and he said he'd be coming too. I thought he was joking. But, as you see, here he is. Do sit down. Paula, how nice to see you. And, Bob, you have completed the party.'

  'A party? At six o'clock in the morning?' Newman queried.

  'Why not?' Sharon gave him an inviting smile. 'It's the serene time of the day. I love it. No one up yet in the hotel. Just the five of us. Champers, Paula?'

  'Not for me, thank you.'

  Sharon was holding a bottle she had taken out of a silver bucket of ice. From a side table she had picked up a fresh glass.

  'You'll join me, won't you, Bob?'

  'Just one glass. Might keep me awake. Or put me to sleep.'

  'And, Tweed, you'll join me. Tell me, how much sleep have you had in the past twenty-four hours?'

  'I had a couple of brief naps in the car on our way here.'

  'I thought so. I'm sure you and I have one thing in common.' She gave him a ravishing smile as she poured him a glass. 'We are both blessed with immense stamina. I get by on four hours a night. Less, if I have to.

  'More for you, Guy?' she suggested.

  'No, thank you. Think I'll have to crawl up to bed soon. I did ask you a question, Tweed. Why are you following us?'

  'You've just rephrased the question, Guy. And I was going to ask you just the same question. First you arrive at the Three Kings in Basel, just before I do. Now you turn up here.'

  'I think I must get up to bed now.' Guy dragged himself out of his chair. 'I'm dropping. Goodnight

  Tweed was mentally contrasting Guy with Sharon. The man who had just left them had had puffy eyes, a strained look, almost haggard. On the other hand Sharon looked fresh as the proverbial daisy, ready for anything. He looked at her and the green eyes glowed back.

  'I got the impression Guy is very worried about something. Did you?' he asked her.

  'Yes, I did. Ever since he sat down, which was quite a while ago, he's been crossing and recrossing his legs. Then he kept shifting round in his chair. I asked him point-blank. He wouldn't even give me a hint. He drank a lot of champagne and I had to order another bottle. Mind you. ,.' She smiled again. 'I contributed to killing that first bottle. He's definitely got something on his mind, but won't come out with it.'

  'Might depend on what it is,' Tweed mused, sipping at his glass.

  'I suppose it might.' Sharon looked at Paula. 'You're awfully quiet. Hardly said a word since you sat down.'

  'Sorry. Excuse my bad manners. The fact is I need some sleep. It's been a long day.' She smiled. 'And a long night. I hope you don't mind if I go up to my room.'

  'Think we could all do with a bit of Up,' Newman said, standing up at the same moment as Paula. 'Look forward to seeing you later.'

  'You're not going to leave me on my own, are you?' Sharon asked, gazing at Tweed.

  'I'm afraid I am. I have some papers I have to go through. As Bob said, we'll see you later.'

  'You're abandoning me,' she said with mock disappointment.

  'Not for long. How could I?'

  'Tweed,' she called out as he was leaving, 'that awful man Ed Osborne is staying here. Thought you ought to know...'

  'The eagles gather.'

  'I'd like both of you to pop along to my room with me. Just for a moment,' Tweed said as they were going upstairs. 'We have to plan for any emergency.'

  Tweed unlocked the door to his room and let Paula go in first. She looked round and gave a sigh of pleasure.

  'What a lovely room. Pure luxury.' She sat on his bed and bounced on it. 'If you're not careful I'm just going to drop off here.'

  'Then I'll have to move all my stuff to your room. Not that I'll unpack much.'

  'What do you think of Ed Osborne being here? We knew he would be coming, but he gave you details of the Schwarzwälder Hof. Not this place.'

  'You heard my comment when Sharon warned me.'

  'Which tells me a lot. You mentioned planning for an emergency. I took that to mean a sudden take-off. I've already decided I'll have a very quick shower, change into fresh underclothes, sleep in them. When we leave I'll be in my warm clothes, leggings and boots. I think it will be cold.'

  'It will be freezing,' Newman told her.

  'Paula has put her finger on the basic plan,' Tweed said, sitting in a chair. 'Ready to leave at a moment's notice. I think we'll get warning that they're on the move from Marler. There are a lot more of them at the Schwarzwälder Hof. Here there's only Ronstadt and his three thugs.'

  'So you're relying on Marler to call you?' Newman suggested.

  'Yes. When he came to the car window to return your weaponry I slipped him Beck's powerful mobile phone.'

  'What if Beck happened to call you?' Paula enquired.

  'Then Marler would pass onto me whatever message Beck wanted to pass on. Incidentally, Ronstadt will probably leave tomorrow - that is, today - unless something happens to upset him.'

  'Let's hope it does,' said Paula as she got up to leave. 'I'm not too keen on an early departure. I've got some sleep to catch up on. And I get the impression you're all falling for Sharon.'

  'What man wouldn't?' Tweed said with a dry smile. 'She really is the most amazing woman.'

  'Don't expect me down to breakfast. I'll have it in my room. I really couldn't stand seeing Ed Osborne at another table. He looked so grim when we left the bar at the Three Kings.' She made a face. 'As though he was expecting the heavens to fall.'

  'Perhaps they will,' replied Tweed:

  'Any idea where we're going when we head into the Black Forest?' she asked as she reached the door.

  'In Kurt Schwarz's little black notebook, which I have with me, he mentioned Höllental. Which, as you know, is German for Hell's Valley.'

  'You're so good for my morale. Give my love to Marler if he does call …'

  Earlier, after turning down the right fork, Marler had found it easy to follow the three black Audis. Not that the route was easy. They soon plunged into a one-way system which twisted and turned. It wasn't long before Marler realized they had entered the Altstadt - the Old City of Freiburg, built centuries ago.

  Ancient stone buildings lined either side of the narrow streets. The lighting, from old street lanterns, was dim but adequate. They kept moving into shadows, then briefly into an illuminated area. The streets became cobbled, the car rocked as Marler kept down to a slow pace, imitating the red lights of the three cars ahead
. There was hardly any other traffic, which was a blessing, but. cars were parked everywhere, which was a curse.

  Suddenly he caught sight of the moonlit towering spire of the Münster. Nield, sitting beside him, stared fixedly ahead.

  'I reckon we must be nearly there. I think they're parking in that big open space by the Minster.'

  'I think so too,' Marler agreed.

  'So we wait until they've pushed off to the hotel.'

  'Seems sensible. We'll give them time to register, get up to their rooms. If possible, I'd like both of you to keep under cover. It probably means going straight up to your rooms while I register, then having something to eat in the rooms.'

  'Suits me,' said Butler.

  'Good strategy, I'd say,' Nield agreed. 'What will you do?'

  `Eat in the restaurant. I think those thugs will do the same. I want to memorize their faces.'

  'Not an enjoyable pastime, I'd imagine,' commented Nield.

  Having parked their cars, all twelve occupants walked out of the Münsterplatz and down a side street. Marler waited a little longer, then drove his car into the square and chose a place to park some distance- from the three black Audis. He checked his watch, waited a minute or two longer, then they left the car, carrying their bags and walking down the side street.

  It was very narrow, cobbled and black as pitch. Emerging at the other end they saw to their left the bright lights of the hotel. They entered, were met by a wave of warmth as they opened the door. Marler made straight for the reception desk.

  'I'm sorry, but we are rather late,' he said to the man behind the counter. 'We have bookings.' He gave their names. 'My two friends are very tired. Could they go straight up to their rooms while I register?'

  'Yes, sir. Here are their keys. Now, if you will register...'