by Colin Forbes
Bella's request to Marshal to come and see her at 10 p.m. came over.
He glanced at Lavinia, who had placed a hand against her throat. `I don't often show emotion,' she apologized. `Sorry, my fault, I should have warned you.. He stopped talking as they heard Marshal's agreement to be there by 10 p.m. Tweed pointed to a clock sunk into the desk which showed the timing of both people. 8 p.m. for Marshal answering. `Which shows what happened took place between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tweed remarked. Now I'll want to speak to Warner Chance. So which of the numbered buttons is he?' `Number two.' `Thank you' `And now I'll give you privacy to talk to him,' Lavinia said and left, carefully closing the door.
Tweed hauled two armchairs close together so they faced each other. He was curious to see which door Warner would use to enter the study as he settled in one of them. The secret door slid back and Warner entered, walking behind Bella's chair. He wore a velvet jacket and velvet trousers, looking very smart but not best pleased. He sat in the chair facing Tweed, very erect. `What is it now?' he growled. 'And I hear Snape has been arrested. You've caught your murderer?'
Not yet, but I'm getting close. Snape is just a greedy sneak.' `I always thought that about the fellow.' `Mrs Bella Main was murdered between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. We know that definitely now. You say you were in your apartment then. Surely someone must have come to say good night, or you had a phone call.' `Do you mind if I light a cigar? Thank you'
He produced a morocco-bound case, took out a cigar, a pair of clippers. He took his time slicing off the end of the cigar, then more time lighting it with a match. Time for him to decide what to say, Tweed thought, but the blank grey eyes in the large head never left Tweed's. `No one came to see me. I received no phone calls. So no alibi. But I gather all the main members of both families also have no alibis.'
A defensive note was creeping into Warner's voice, Tweed noted from his fresh remarks. `When Bella died she left a will appointing you and your brother as co-directors of a fabulously rich bank. Should something fatal happen to Marshal the whole business would fall into your lap.' `Now listen to me, Tweed.' Another whiff of brandy floated into Tweed's nostrils. He had been drinking and this was increasing the ferocity in his voice. 'You may make a major assumption there – that another will would hand over everything to me. There is Lavinia, an enormously capable lady whom Bella admired – and who is in charge of the assets in her position as Chief Accountant.'
Now a new manoeuvre, Tweed thought – the casting of suspicion on someone else. `You do have a most desirable motive,' Tweed insisted.
Warner was puffing furiously on his cigar. He stood up. 'I challenge you to charge me with murder on the basis of no evidence whatsoever. I've had enough of you. Any more of this and I shall complain to Commander Buchanan that you are harassing me. Good night to you, sir.'
Warner stormed out, this time using the main door into the library. Typical of Warner, Tweed thought, to use the device of threatening him to escape the interrogation. Had he been feeling the heat?
Walking into the library he met Harry rushing in. His face was damp. He was also breathless and it took him a minute to burst out with the news. `He's gone!' `Take it easy, Harry. Who has gone?' `That swine, Calouste. I've really messed up this one.' `I doubt that, Harry. Would you like a beer? Plenty in the drinks cupboard' `No thanks. I arrived at Shooter's Lodge, took me a while to hide my motorbike in some brambles. Then I walked a bit further, found a good hiding place from where I could see the lodge. No sign of life at all. No lights on in the place. Then, after a little while, it happened.' `What did, Harry?' `A bloody great black car with tinted windows comes from the back somewhere. Roars straight out into the road and drives off towards London. Uniformed chauffeur driving, with one passenger in the back. Couldn't see who it was.'
Calouste has eluded me again, Tweed said to himself. This is the result of Snape's phone call to him. He rested a hand on Harry's shoulder as he sat hunched in a chair. `Come and join us for dinner. Tomorrow is another day.'
When he said that Tweed had no inkling that the following morning everything was going to explode.
32
Tweed was settling down to his meal in the breakfast room – as opposed to the dining room – when the mobile buzzed. He listened to Monica calling him from Park Crescent. `I have Philip Cardon on the line. Very urgent.' `Tell him to give me thirty seconds while I go somewhere quiet.'
He hurried to the empty dining room. Closing the door he sat in a chair. `Philip, Tweed here…' `A priority-one crisis – if you wish to eliminate Calouste Doubenkian. I've booked all of you on the last Eurostar this evening to Brussels. He's at his HQ a long way outside the city.' `We'll come,' Tweed decided immediately. `I need to give you special instructions…'
Tweed noted down what Philip said, then he was off the line Philip had abruptly broken the call. He made a brief call to Park Crescent, then walked back quietly to finish his breakfast with Paula and Newman. On a sheet from his notepad he had scribbled brief instructions. He handed them to Marler, who read the notes, then left the table immediately. `Trouble?' Paula whispered as Mrs Grandy brought in more plates of eggs and bacon. `Mrs Grandy,' Tweed said with a smile, 'could you help me by serving those breakfasts in the dining room?' `If you say so,' she grumbled. 'Means laying a table with a cloth and the cutlery.' `Of a sort,' he whispered to Paula, answering her earlier question. 'I'll explain when the whole team is assembled. In the meantime I suggest we enjoy a leisurely breakfast.'
After breakfast he strolled with Paula into the dining room. Marler had moved fast. Seated at the dining table, eating the last of their meal were, besides Marler, Newman and Harry.
Tweed's first move was to close the heavy oak soundproof door and perch a large tilted chair against it. Then he sat at the head of the table with Paula on his right. `First,' he began, 'I'll tell you what Philip said when he opened the conversation, then his specific instructions…'
When he had finished, Harry asked, 'What about Pete Nield now holding the fort at Park Crescent?' `I've already informed him and he'll be joining us.' `I like that,' Harry replied. 'He watches my back and I watch his.' `I'm putting Chief Inspector Hammer in charge while I'm not here. I've also warned Buchanan to forbid him from arresting Crystal – on the basis there's not enough evidence. Yet.' `Is Snape confessing now?' Paula wondered. `Buchanan interrogated him and couldn't get a word out of him. So he's parked in a cell.'
Well, we've got rid of the spy who was informing Calouste,' Paula mused. `One of the spies,' Tweed corrected her. 'I'm convinced there is another one hidden away in this manor. The main spy.' `Any idea who that is?' `I haven't a clue,' Tweed told her. 'Incidentally, I'll be telling Marshal, Warner and Lavinia that we have a lead in London and have to search different localities. Also that we shan't be back tonight. One more thing, Philip warned it's very cold in Belgium now So wrap up well.'
They were on the verge of leaving, gathered in the hall, when Leo appeared. He plucked at Tweed's sleeve. `Could we talk together, just the two of us? I've stumbled on something very important.' `Tell me when we get back. I'm behind schedule.' `I wonder what he was on about?' Paula asked as they walked down the steps. `Another of his fantasies, I imagine.' `Well, nothing serious can happen here while we're away.'
It was a remark she was later bitterly to regret making.
33
`The last Eurostar tonight leaves at 7.15 p.m.,' Tweed reminded his fully assembled team at his office at Park Crescent. 'So you all arrive in separate taxis at different times. Monica has distributed the return tickets she had brought over by courier. And maybe you should get some sleep. When we get over there I suspect it will turn into a dogfight.' `Can't I take my tool-kit bag?' pleaded Harry.
'No!' Tweed was at his most emphatic. 'I've already explained Philip's warning. Calouste has under his control a certain highly corrupt section of the Belgian police run by an Inspector Balouster Benlier We shoot a policeman, they catch us, and we could be in a Belgian jail for six months
. Yes, sleep would be a good idea. You need to be on maximum alert for the whole trip.' `You will be taking those deadly hands, old chap,' Pete Nield teased his partner. `No nap for me,' Paula remarked. 'I can last out for thirty-six hours.'
Everyone except Paula left the office to go home. Pete Nield came back immediately. `I've checked the reports from overseas agents, sent replies after showing them to Howard, who approved. The tricky one was our main in Marseilles, who said he'd been spotted.' `I see you ordered him to board a cruise liner as a waiter, then leave the ship at Gibraltar,' said Tweed. `Which he has done. We can't afford to lose Roger. And we must guard his safety. He is one of our best agents.' `I congratulate you on your decisiveness.' `Maybe we could go up and see Howard with the reports?' Nield suggested. `We'll do that now.' He checked his watch. 'Time is flying. We will get something to eat on Eurostar. This expedition is going to be interesting.' `Interesting?' Paula queried sceptically. `Calouste has been a nuisance. He's diverted time I needed to investigate two murders.' `A nuisance?' She sounded indignant. 'He's tried to kill you four times. `That's what I meant when I said nuisance.' Tweed stood up. 'I suggest, Paula, you go home and collect some warm clothing. When Philip says "cold" he probably means Siberian. On the way back I suggest you call in at my Bexford Street place and collect some things for me.' `What I need is already at Bexford Street, so it will mean one round trip. In case you hadn't noticed, my desk is piled up with reports I must deal with before we leave.' `Leave it to you. Pete, I see you have an armful of reports. Time we went up to Howard and reassured him And Monica is going to the deli to bring back hot food for the three of us later. Napoleon said an army marches on its stomach, a most undignified way of going to war, I'd have thought.'
It was dark and 7 p.m. exactly when the taxi transporting Tweed and Paula pulled up at the foot of the steps at Waterloo. `You go first on your own,' he whispered to Paula as they alighted.
She ran up the steps which led across the concourse to the Eurostar. Tweed deliberately took several minutes sorting out change to pay the driver and give him a generous tip.
He knew the rest of his team would have arrived earlier, each by himself and at intervals. More of Philip's exact instructions. They knew the coach to board since the number was on the tickets.
Tweed was wearing his fur-lined overcoat with an astrakhan collar, which Paula had brought him from Bexford Street. Mounting the steps, he descended the escalator and the gleaming train extended down the platform. Passing through security, Tweed boarded the correct coach. Second class, it was occupied only by his scattered team.
Paula was seated in the rear aisle seat. Opposite her sat Newman, studying a book on radio technology. Marler was two seats ahead. Nield was halfway down the coach while Harry sat at the front, watching the door. `No trouble with security?' Paula asked as Tweed settled in the window seat. 'What's in that bulging briefcase?' `I simply said "business" and opened the briefcase. It's stuffed with files of useless papers Monica typed for me, plus pyjamas, shaving kit, a fresh suit. The things a businessman would carry for a trip abroad. How did you get on?' `I told the miserable old officer I was going to meet my French boyfriend. Wedding ring on his finger. Probably nagged to death by his wife. Hence his scowling at me.'
The train was gliding out of the station when Newman got up, gave them a little salute as though being polite to strange passengers. `Tweed, I'm sorry I forgot to tell you something. When I was scouting Shooter's Lodge early on I told you about the sophisticated wireless system perched by a chimney. I got up there and clipped two key wires, which would ruin his system.' `Not to worry,' Tweed said with a smile as Newman began heading for the loo to cover his action. `Now he tells me,' Tweed whispered to Paula. 'That's why we're here. I'd wondered about his communications. He'd need them to issue instructions to all the banks he owns on the Continent. He's hustled back to his HQ to sort out his communications system' `A lot was happening then,' Paula said and put up a hand as she yawned. She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. In no time she was fast asleep. The train stopped briefly at Ashford and then raced on across Kent. There was a moon up and Tweed gazed at the orchards, their stark silhouettes beginning to show signs of life. He'd travelled a lot but he loved England best.
Another treat was moving through the tunnel He hated the sea. On any boat the damn thing was always wobbling and he suffered from sea-sickness, until Paula forced him to take a Dramamine. Then he'd be on deck, watching the rolling waves. He lost interest as the train emerged and they entered France.
The train was approaching Brussels Midi station when Paula woke. She went to the loo to splash water over her face, returned fully alert as she stretched arms and legs. `Don't forget,' Tweed reminded her, 'Philip will be wearing a red peaked cap with an artificial carnation in his buttonhole. In other words, this is where the trouble starts. We are now in no-man's-land.'
As they alighted Philip appeared, his manner brisk and quick-moving. `That's the exit. Outside get in the first of three Land Rovers. Get moving…'
Then he was gone. Tweed was relieved. The approach to Brussels was no better than to any other terminus. They had been hemmed in by endless tall cheap apartment blocks. It was bitterly cold and within minutes they were inside their Land Rover, which had a blue tail-light. Inside the second Land Rover, Newman sat behind the wheel with Marler. Harry was behind the wheel of the third vehicle with Pete beside him. They were ready to go.
Paula stared out at the galaxy of lights which were almost blinding. Restaurants were lit up and inside people were eating dinner, laughing, raising their glasses. Nightclubs with glaring lights. Outside them were huge pictures of semi-clad young girls. Several had queues as garishly dressed couples waited for tables. The whole city seemed like a blaze of neon. `We're on the famous Boulevard de Waterloo,' Philip explained as he kept the Land Rover moving. 'I have booked a room, or I should say rooms, for all of you at this monster we are coming to.' `We are not staying there,' Tweed said firmly. `I have also booked a large dinner table for all of you at the best restaurant in town, in Grand Place.' `We will not be dining there,' Tweed told him. 'In any case you are now driving east and that restaurant you mentioned is behind us.' `Precisely. On both points,' Philip agreed. 'Inspector Benlier, who runs the most corrupt police unit in Belgium, has contacts everywhere. We are heading straight for the main HQ of Calouste which is also his communications centre. What I said earlier about the hotel and the dinner is throwing dust in Benlier's eyes!' `Smart of you,' Paula commented.
She glanced at Philip, the best agent Tweed had in Europe. In his late thirties, he had a strong, clean- shaven face with trim brown hair and looked younger than his age. She had always liked him. He took one hand briefly off the wheel to squeeze her arm. `There is nothing to worry about.' `I'm not in the least bit worried,' she fibbed.
He took two small leather bags out of his pocket, gave one to her. She delved inside and brought out a small spike held firmly upright by a heavy curved rubber base. There were plenty more inside the bag. `What is this?' she asked. `Engineer pal of mine in Rotterdam made them for me.' He smiled. He was always smiling, she remembered. 'Clever little jigger. If a police car appears behind us you throw a few out of your window. However they land, because of the curved rubber base they always immediately stand upright with the steel spike vertical. Don't do tyres any good. I've given Marler his own bagful.'
The road was sloping now and they raced through an underpass. Emerging from the other side they met a glare of lighting from oncoming traffic from the opposite direction. Paula lowered the visor. Philip had put on tinted glasses. `This is a wide road,' she remarked. 'Like an auto- balm or a motorway.' `Main drag in and out of the city.' `I don't like Brussels,' she mused. 'It's boring.' `It is,' Philip agreed. 'I much prefer Ghent and the Flemish area to the north-west. The Flems are much more friendly and welcoming. That area should be part of Holland. Down here it's French-speaking. Need I say more?'
There was silence for a whi
le. They had left the city behind. On both sides the moon shone down on more open country. Less traffic was coming towards them heading for Brussels. Paula sighed with relief. `Well, it's quieter now I'm glad-'
She never finished her sentence. The increasing wail of a police siren shrieked through the night behind them. Then another. And another. Their roof lights were flashing. `Smart Inspector Benlier has caught on to my diversions, so get ready with the spikes,' Philip warned. `Three police cars and they're all passing Harry and Bob Newman,' Paula warned after glancing at the rearview mirror. We're their target. `Open your window,' he said, 'they're coming up offside.'
She did so and then stared at a uniformed policeman, also with his window down in the police car alongside. He was grinning, had something in his hand, was about to hurl it. She closed the window quickly. A second later the missile hit her window and a cloud of white vapour floated outside. `Tear gas,' said Philip. `Nice people,' Paula snapped.
He handed her a small instrument like a miniature fire extinguisher. It had a long slim nozzle. Philip was grinning as he rammed his foot down, accelerating well beyond the first police car. `See that button on that thing? It's filled with oil, you place the body on the window edge, press the button and a jet sprays the road. You do that when I say "now" for the second time. When I first say "now" you hurl a load of spikes out. See that large black limo coming from the other way? It's wobbling all over the place. Driver's drunk. This is where we create chaos,' he said gleefully. `Paula, give me that spray gun now,' Tweed called out from the back 'You have too much to time properly.' `Good idea,' agreed Philip. 'Just look at that limo.'