Blood Storm

21

Tweed walked into an atmosphere of crisis,

He took off his coat, settled down in his chair, looked round his office. Monica, grim-faced, got up to come over to him. Pete Nield was standing up, arms folded, no sign of a smile. Marler stood against the wall, fiddling with his cigarette holder, which was empty. He stared at Tweed.

Paula, who had been going to leave, sat down at her desk. Newman waited by the door, scanning expressions. It was Tweed who broke the ice.

'Well, what happened in my absence? You all look as though a bomb has gone off.'

'It has, in a manner of speaking,' Monica said, standing stiffly in front of his desk. 'First, General Macomber phoned, told me that under no circumstances must Tweed go anywhere alone. He added he'd just seen the Cabal. Then Benton Macomber bulldozed his way in. Asked to see you urgently. I said you weren't available. "Is he abroad?" Benton asked. I said I'd no idea where you were. He said you must call him the moment you returned, then pushed off. Pete,' she went on, turning to Nield, 'maybe you'd like to describe your experience.'

'Sinister,' Nield began. 'Early this afternoon I saw a large white van stopped across the road. Had TV painted on its side. They were using cameras to photograph this building. So I went out, crossed the main road in front of the van. It started moving, nearly mowed me down. I skipped on to the pavement and it stopped. I opened the passenger door. The thug beside the driver swore at me. I demanded to know what the hell they were doing, who they were. The passenger tried to kick me in the face. I grabbed his leg, hauled him out, repeated my questions. The driver produced an automatic, pointed it at me, ordered me to let go of his mate. I did so. The van drove off.'

'Intimidation,' said Tweed. 'So if they're playing rough we must respond at once. Marler, work out a plan.'

'I already have done. I'll need Harry's help. Now…'

Both men left the office. Tweed, his manner calm, took out a pen and a pad, began doodling. Those remaining waited for his next words.

'Interesting that Benton asked if I was abroad. He knew I was. Was checking your reaction, Monica. You did well.'

'How could he know?' Paula wondered aloud.

'Radek. He'd report our presence to Noel, wherever he was keeping out of sight of violence. Noel would then phone the information to the Cabal. Benton came in about five o'clock this afternoon?' he asked Monica.

'Not far off that.'

'We'd be on Eurostar. Noel probably flew back ahead of us. With Radek. Which reminds me.' He took out a photo Philip had handed him, gave it to Monica. 'Take that downstairs. Ask them to make five copies. Urgent. Then everyone has a copy.'

'Horrible-looking brute,' Monica commented.

'The devil himself,' chimed in Paula. 'Radek.'

'You think he's over here already?' Newman suggested.

'Sure of it. He'd fly back with Noel. We have two choice killers to watch out for. Fitch, now Radek.' He looked at Paula. 'You go back home, escorted by Newman. You won't mind if he sleeps in your spare bedroom tonight?'

'I'd appreciate it, when I do go. I'm wide awake now we have all this to deal with. I find it strange that General Macomber should warn us.'

'Could be he doesn't like the Cabal. Or it could be part of the campaign of intimidation.'

'You can't suspect the General,' she protested.

'I suspect everyone until we've smashed the Cabal. Why, I wonder, did he visit the Cabal when he's supposed to detest his offspring? I sense everyone is lying.'

'Can I tell you about my encounter with my informant yesterday?' Nield enquired.

'Encounter?' Tweed queried. 'Yes, go ahead.'

'I wasn't happy, so I called her and suggested we had dinner. She accepted immediately, said she was worried. This is how it went…'

Nield had arrived promptly at Coral's apartment. When she opened the door she was dressed to kill. Her flaming red hair was piled on top of her head, and she wore a short close-fitting white dress, accentuating her excellent figure.

'Come in and have a drink first, Pete,' she invited him with a glowing smile.

'Unfortunately we haven't time,' he replied, thinking quickly. 'I've booked a table at that restaurant just down the road. If we don't grab it now they'll give it to someone else.'

'OK. Let me get my coat.'

'What are you worried about?' he asked as they walked down the street.

'It can wait until we've had a drink. I need one. Brandy.'

Seated at a corner table, well away from any of the crowd already creating a babble of voices mingled with the clink of glasses, they were able to talk unheard.

'This is good,' she said as she consumed her starter, a mix of sliced melon, oranges and bananas, generously flavoured with brandy. 'My favourite tipple, brandy,' she told him.

'What is worrying you?' he had asked again.

'The Parrot. She asked me out to lunch today, took me to a very posh restaurant. I saw the bill later. Sky high.'

'I thought you were enemies. That's what you said last time we talked.'

'I know, Pete. I thought so too. Now she's all over me. I can't do anything wrong at work. During lunch she said one of the Cabal was after her. Wouldn't say which one. She's not prepared to play ball with him – so she's worried they'll manoeuvre her out of her job.'

'They?'

'The Cabal. They support each other. They're planning something aggressive against Tweed's outfit. Thought you ought to know.'

'But how do you know this? They're in a separate room.'

'I know.' She fluttered her eyes at him. 'You'll think I'm wicked. The hinges between our large room and the Cabal's HQ have been oiled, but the door doesn't shut properly if someone isn't careful. When the Parrot is away I creep over, open it just a bit more and listen to what they're saying.'

'Dangerous.'

'I'm very careful. I have a file tucked under my arm. There is a filing cabinet close to that door in our room.'

'Going back to what you said earlier,' Pete said, pausing while the waiter served their main course, 'you referred to some aggressive action planned against Tweed. Any details?'

'Only that Noel, who was away, planned it. Benton said he hoped Noel wouldn't go mad. Then I sidled back to my desk. Just in time. One of them closed the door.'

'Noel was away. Where?'

'No idea

They chatted about other things until they'd finished the meal. When they left the restaurant, Nield walked her to the entrance to her flat. She took out her keys, opened the door, tucked her arm in his. She turned to face him, her eyebrows raised, invited him in for a quiet drink.

'I'd love to,' he lied, 'but before I came over I was dealing with another problem and they will want to hear about it back at Park Crescent. Certain phone calls have to be made this evening. Maybe another time?'

She made a moue as he kissed her on both cheeks. Not best pleased. She said good night, walked in and closed the door in his face.