by Colin Forbes
He pulled himself together when Paula arrived. As she sat beside him he put an arm round her shoulders. He spoke quietly.
'It was them or us. They were grinning when they advanced towards us. Don't forget that.'
'If this is America I don't want to come back,' she said.
'This is only a part of America - the backwoods. People work hard here to better themselves. It's just not a European system, a European atmosphere. At least, not Western Europe.'
'You're right. I made a bad generalization.' She managed a smile. 'I'm all right, Tweed. It goes with the territory-. What's our next move?'
'Our next move,' said Alvarez, who had just returned and had heard her, 'is to drive straight back to Mission Ranch. It will still be open - and it is a unique experience, in the best sense of the phrase.'
32
Paula was relieved to leave the valley. They parked outside Mission Ranch, which was still busy with customers. The moon had risen and Alvarez led them through the main dining room out onto a large terrace. The view almost took Paula's breath away.
Tables were laid on the terrace and Alvarez, taking Paula's arm, led them to a table at the very edge. The night chill made her shiver, then she sat down and wondered why it seemed so warm.
'It's almost hot out here.' she said. 'Gloriously warm.'
'Look up at the heater.' Alvarez said as the others joined them. "The warmth comes from there.'
She looked up at a metal object shaped like a hat, perched on top of a tall column. It was glowing with warmth which radiated over the table. She felt more comfortable already, more relaxed.
'It's a gas-powered heater.' Alvarez explained. 'It's mobile and you can see more of them ready for use over there,- stacked against the wall.'
'What a clever idea.' Newman remarked.
"This is just one instance of where the Americans score.' Tweed said.
While they waited for the wine they had ordered Paula stared at the view. Below them was a grassy plain which had a marshy look. Alvarez explained it was part of the estuary of the River Carmel where it flowed into the sea. Beyond it, silhouetted in the moonlight, steep rounded hills rose up like small mountains. Over to her right was a glimpse of the Pacific. The ocean was calm, a sheet of blue moonlit water which was so still it resembled ice.
'Come over and join us, Harry.' Tweed called out to Butler.
"Thought I'd better stay back there and keep an eye open.'
'No need here.' Alvarez assured him. 'Sit with us.'
Butler settled into a chair, but Paula noticed that when more people came out onto the terrace he checked them. Butler was always on duty.
'Well, we dumped the bits and pieces.' Marler recalled.
He was referring to the fact that he had paused on the way back to throw the rocket launcher down a deep crevasse. That was after he had carefully wiped it free of Tweed's fingerprints. All the smoke bombs they had carried had followed the launcher down into the crevasse. Alvarez leaned over to whisper to Tweed.
'I saw other Rednecks creeping towards the battlefield when we were leaving. They will make the corpses disappear - and get rid of all the relics of the chipper. You see, they won't want anyone to find evidence of what happened. Drugs are grown in that area. The last thing they want is to attract the attention of the police -if someone reported what they had found.'
'That's a relief.'
'Food!' Marler called out. 'We are in urgent need of food.'
A waiter appeared immediately. They gave their orders and sipped their drinks. Paula sat enjoying the changing colours of the superb view. Newman pulled his chair close to Tweed's. No one else was near them but he kept his voice low.
'What is our next move?'
'We've severely reduced the force at Brand's command.' Tweed began. 'Now we can turn our attention to dealing with The Accountant. Also, we must locate the spy I'm convinced VB has outside his permanent organization. Someone who was present in Cornwall, who is now present here.'
'We can start working on that in the morning.'
'I need to know quickly who it is. There are three possible suspects. Grenville, Maurice - and Vanity Richmond.' He looked at Newman. 'I hope you agree.'
'I do agree,' Newman replied. 'Vanity is inside AMBECO, but she was also in Cornwall. There is something about her which worries me, but I can't put my finger on it.'
'Stay close to her. Everyone makes a slip sooner or later. Then I must see Moloch one more time. I want to confirm if he knows about the blood spilt beyond McGee's Landing.'
'He'll deny it, anyway.'
'If he's guilty and denies it I'll know he's lying. I also want to have one more interview with Mrs Benyon. I think she knows more than she's told me so far.'
'Both interviews - assuming you get one with VB -will have to be set up so you have plenty of protection.'
'I suppose you're right,' replied Tweed without enthusiasm.
'I gather we have to move fast.'
'Very fast. Ethan Benyon continues to worry me. I have the feeling that if it comes to the crunch he'll go his own way regardless. That is regardless of Moloch or anyone else. I suspect he's unbalanced.'
'Which is why you want to talk to Mrs Benyon again?' Newman suggested.
'Yes, it is. Whether she'll throw any light on his previous history I'm not sure. I'll have to gain her confidence - not an easy thing to do.'
Paula prodded Tweed. 'When are you going to eat your meal? We may have this marvellous heating device above us but they served five minutes ago.'
"They did?' Tweed asked, staring at the plate before him.
"The evidence is before you.' she joked.
'Women always want you to eat food piping hot,' grumbled Tweed.
'Just get on with it,' Paula told him.
They were completely relaxed after consuming an appetizing meal. Paula drank more wine than was her normal habit but remained sober. She noticed that Tweed seemed self-absorbed, left the others to do the talking, joking among themselves. She nudged him as they were finishing their coffee.
'A penny for them,' she said quietly.
'Sorry. I haven't been a very good dining companion.'
'That doesn't matter. Where did that devious mind of your wander off to?'
'Moloch, of course. I'm wondering whether to drive down the coast to Black Ridge, to tell him what happened at McGee's Landing, see his reaction.'
'Not on your own, you aren't.' She turned to Newman, kept her voice low. Tweed is thinking of visiting Black Ridge at this time of night.'
'Must be out of his mind.'
'I heard that.' Tweed leaned across Paula. 'I'm sure he's a man who works well into the night. His mood might be different.'
'Then I'll drive you and Paula there c'
There were four people in the Merc, when it moved down the coast road. Newman had signalled to Marler, told him what Tweed proposed, and Marler had said he would join the party. 'I feel like a night out,' he had informed Tweed. Newman drove with Tweed beside him.
A fierce wind blew off the ocean, hammering the side of the car. Huge waves rolled in, broke against isolated brutal rocks projecting from the ocean like fragmented capes. The wild sea surged in below them, creating a permanent belt of creamy surf and spectacular geysers as the ocean smashed into cliffs, elevating churning water high into the air like bomb bursts.
'It's turmoil down there.' Paula observed. 'Incidentally.' she said to Tweed, 'what do you expect to achieve when -we do get there?'
T'm going to ask him, among other things, if I could have a word with the guard master, Luis Martinez, about the seven girlfriends who had disappeared - with three already found dead.'
'But Martinez himself is dead.'
'Precisely.' replied Tweed.
There was turmoil inside Black Ridge. Moloch, freshly shaved and in a neat new suit, ready for a night's work, had returned by chopper from his day at the AMBECO building. Joel Brand was waiting for him in his office as Moloch took off his overcoat.
'Trouble? As soon as I get back?' Moloch demanded, seeing the expression on his deputy's face.
'Big trouble. Martinez has disappeared. So have half a million dollars from the safe.'
'I see.' Moloch settled himself behind his desk. 'You think the two events are linked?'
'They have to be.'
'Well, let's analyse the situation.' He counted on his fingers. 'Four people have access to the safe, know the combination. Yourself, Martinez, Byron Landis and myself. Since I know I'm not guilty that leaves three suspects.'
'Why the hell include me?' exploded Brand. 'I am the one who has reported the theft to you.'
'And so often, as the police will tell you, it is the one who discovers a major theft - or the body, when a murder has been committed - who is responsible.'
'I'm not standing for this!' Brand shouted.
'No, you're not. You're sitting down,' Moloch replied mildly. 'Please remain seated.'
He pressed a button on a compact intercom perched on his desk.
'Byron, come to my office at once. Which means now.'
'I'll chuck the friggin' job in,' raged Brand.
'No, you won't. I pay you too much. In any case, no one ever resigns from AMBECO. They are fired - without a reference.'
'I have reported it to you,' Brand insisted.
'Now you're repeating yourself. Who has replaced Martinez as guard master?'
'Hogan,' Brand said bleakly.
Moloch again pressed a button on the intercom. A rough voice answered.
'Hogan,' Moloch said, 'I want you in my office immediately.'
In no time at all the door opened and a short heavily built man with wide shoulders and a large head, covered with red hair, appeared. His whole manner exuded aggressiveness but he addressed Moloch respectfully.
'Is there a problem, Chief?'
'I want the whole place sealed off. No one leaves or enters without my express permission until further notice. Double the guard force.'
'Yes, Chief. The only problem is Ethan left the building an hour ago in his car.'
'Why didn't you stop him? Did he say where he was going?'
For the first time Moloch was furious. But he had schooled himself to conceal his feelings. Lose your temper and you lose control.
'How could I stop him?' Hogan pleaded. He spread his large strangler's hands. 'Ethan is Head of the Technical Division, Head of the Armaments Division at Des Moines.'
'You have a point.' Moloch agreed. 'Anything else?'
'Somehow his mother bypassed the operator here and got through to him. I don't know what she said but he just took off - to go and see her at The Apex.'
Moloch threw up both hands in a gesture of irked resignation.
'I spend one day in San Francisco and everything begins to fall to pieces. Hogan, do as I told you, but when Ethan returns let him in, of course. Warn me immediately he does get back.'
As Hogan left, his stocky legs moving like pistons, Landis came in. The bald-headed man held a bulging file under his arm - as he always did to demonstrate his industry. Moloch thought he looked nervous. Landis adjusted his glasses twice before hauling up a chair at his chief's request. Moloch stared hard at the accountant, who adjusted his glasses once more. An air of tension gripped the room.
'Byron,' Moloch began, 'did you know half a million dollars has been stolen from the safe to which you hold the combination?'
'Half a million?' Landis stuttered. 'You mean in cash or bonds?'
'You didn't specify, Joel,' Moloch remarked, looking at Brand.
'Half a million in one-hundred-dollar bills. No bonds.'
'How do you explain it, Byron?' Moloch asked genially.
'I can't. They were there early this morning. I noticed
the stacks of bills when I went to the safe for confidential files. And I was, as always, careful to close the safe.'
'Did you see Martinez in that room?'
'Yes. He came in as I was leaving. I thought nothing of it. He uses the other safe in that room for his weapons.'
Brand leaned back in his chair, which creaked under his weight. He was smiling as though glad someone else had confirmed what he had said.
Take that smirk off your face, Joel.' Moloch said in a cold voice.
'Where would Martinez head for, assuming he has taken the money, which is pure speculation?'
'Mexico would be my guess.' Brand said offhandedly.
'You can both go.' Moloch said suddenly. 'Just don't attempt to leave the building. No, wait a minute, Joel.' He went on speaking when Landis had left. 'Joel, you have handled many millions of dollars, bribing senators and other key figures in Washington. The same applies to MPs and Cabinet Ministers in London who are in my pocket. Were you never tempted to cream a few thousand off the top before you handed over the money?'
'If I wanted more money I'd ask for it.' Brand flashed back at him. 'Don't forget I know enough to put you behind bars in either Washington or London for the rest of your life.'
'I wish you hadn't said that, Joel.'
'I apologize without reservation.' Brand said quickly. He leaned forward. 'You and I have worked together for years - we have been through bad times and good times. Always I have stood by your side. Naturally I resented your insinuations.'
'Erase them from your mind.' Moloch replied after a long pause. 'What you've said is true. Now leave me alone to think.'
After Brand had left his office Moloch stood up, went to the window which looked down on the raging sea. It reflected his mood. He made up his mind, went back to his desk, unlocked a drawer, took out a file marked Standish.
'Now what was the name of Linda Standish's partner at their San Francisco office?' he said to himself. 'Ah, here it is. Ed KellerRIGHT SQUARE BRACKET'
He pressed buttons on his phone. He didn't think he would be lucky. Few worked like he did and already it was evening.
'Keller here. Who is it?'
'Vincent Bernard Moloch speaking. You're still at your office.'
'Pretty big workload, sir.'
'Mr KellerRIGHT SQUARE BRACKET'
'Ed will do.'
'Ed, could you do me a great favour? A serious crime has been committed here today. Could you possibly drive down at once to see me at Black Ridge?'
"The answer is in the affirmative.'
'When might you arrive?'
'Let's see. A two-hour drive from here to the Monte-rey-Carmel area. I move behind the wheel. Then thirty minutes, say, to get to Black Ridge. If I start now.'
'Start now, please...'
33
The trip to Black Ridge didn't turn out as expected - it was very grim. They were approaching Big Sur when headlights began flashing behind them. Paula tensed, grabbed the Browning out of her shoulder bag. Newman slowed down, drove with one hand on the wheel as he hauled the Smith & Wesson out of its holster. It was at this moment that Marler called out.
'Don't panic. It's the BMW - ours. I think Alvarez is behind the wheel. Here he comes...'
Defying all the stringent rules about not overtaking on the coast road, Alvarez drove slowly past, waving to Newman to park in a lay-by ahead. Allowing Newman to pull in first, he dropped back, parking behind the Merc. He jumped out and spoke as Newman lowered his window.
'I was thinking about what you planned back at Mission Ranch. Decided to follow you. Butler and Nield are with me. This is a bad time of night to go near Black Ridge - well after dark. No traffic about. No one to witness what happens to you. May I travel with you?'
'Full house,' Paula called out.
'Maybe Marler would take over driving the BMW, staying close behind us. Then I could occupy his seat.'
'My pleasure,' Marler assured him, getting out. 'I'm always bored as a passenger. Prefer to drive...'
In a couple of minutes they were off again, the BMW driven forty feet or so behind the Merc. Alvarez made his apologies to Tweed.
'I hope you don't regard this as an intrusion, but I do know this area. By
night as well as by day. Incidentally, the police back in Monterey are checking the juggernaut stopped by the roadblock - checking it for any trace of explosives. Trouble is I won't get the report. Not officially, anyway.'
'But unofficially?' queried Tweed.
'I may get a tip off. Later.'
'And we welcome your support,' Tweed told him.
They were approaching Black Ridge when from his rear seat Alvarez leaned forward. Searchlights were swivelling over the grounds behind the closed gates. Paula sensed something had disturbed him. He squinted, shielded his eyes against the lights, then stiffened.
'Drive on past, Newman.' he said urgently. 'Don't even slow down. Just keep on driving down the highway. They're on hill alert. The grounds crawling with armed guards, savage dogs. Something has happened.'
Newman obeyed his request, kept up the speed. Behind him Marler followed, also keeping moving. As they passed, Paula saw a large man directing the heavy force of guards, waving his arms. Joel Brand. In the back Alvarez heaved a high of relief.
"That mob looks trigger-happy. I wouldn't mess with them.'
They drove on and moonlight glowed on the savage sea. As they approached a great massif of rock projecting into the ocean, Alvarez touched Paula's arm. The massif reminded her of a small Gibraltar and a narrow road ran off the highway, then spiralled up the massif. A light like a great glowing eye on its summit flashed on and off.
"That is Big Sur Point,' Alvarez told her. 'As you see, it has a lighthouse on top. A very prominent landmark.'
'It's impressive.' Paula agreed.
They had driven further when Paula frowned, staring out of the window with her first-rate eyesight. She leaned closer to the window, gazing out to sea where the rollers swept in like an invading army. Then she was certain.
'Alvarez, there's a body coming in. Look! It just crested a wave-top. Keep watching. It's in a deep trough. There it is again. I'm sure I'm right.'
'I do believe you are,' Alvarez said slowly. 'It's coming in to Pfeiffer Beach. Newman, slow down, we'll come to a narrow road off to the right. You only go a short distance and there's a parking area. We leave the cars there and walk the rest of the way. It's supposed to be closed at sunset but we'll forget about that.'