Brought in Dead by Jack-Higgins

Author:Jack-Higgins [Jack-Higgins]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 1967-11-28T07:00:00+00:00

The Bull & Bell did ninety-five per cent of its trade in the evenings, which was why Max Vernon preferred to patronise it in the afternoon. For one thing it meant that he could have the snug to himself, which was handy for business of a certain kind.

He sat on a stool at the bar finishing a roast beef sandwich, a pint of bitter at his elbow, and Carver and Stratton lounged on the window seat chatting idly.

It was Carver who first noticed Craig standing in the doorway. “Christ Almighty,” he said and then there was a long silence.

Craig moved into the snug and paused against the bar three or four feet away from Vernon. “There you are, Vernon. You know you’re a damned difficult fellow to run down. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

“I’m in the telephone book, colonel,” Vernon said calmly.

“Ah, but that wouldn’t have suited my purpose at all, I’m afraid,” Craig said. “What I was hoping for was a private chat—just the two of us.”

He glanced at Carver and Stratton and Vernon shrugged. “There’s nothing you can say to me that these two can’t hear.”

“Suit yourself.” Craig took a cigarette from a pigskin case and lit it carefully. “I expect you’ll be wondering why Monica Grey didn’t turn up for work last night. She gave me a message for you.”

“Did she now?”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to manage without her in future.” Craig blew smoke up towards the ceiling in a long streamer. “Actually I had a very informative chat with her after which I put her on a plane with a first-class ticket to somewhere so far away that she can forget she ever knew a man called Max Vernon.”

“What is this?” Vernon said. “A declaration of war?”

“To the knife,” Craig said pleasantly. “First of all I’m going to destroy the things that are important to you, Vernon. After that, and only when I’m ready, I’m going to destroy you.”

Stratton took a sudden step forward and Vernon raised his hand quickly. “Stay where you are!” He looked Craig up and down and shook his head slowly. “It’s been tried, colonel. It’s been tried by the best in the business and they all ended up flat on their faces.”

“But you did have to get out of London in rather a hurry.”

“So what—I’ll be up there on top again. I’m on my way now. I’ll run this town before I’m finished.”

“The great Max Vernon,” Craig said. “He always gets what he wants.”

“That’s it.”

“Including my daughter.”

“Including your daughter. She saw things my way by the time I was through with her.”

For the first time, Craig’s iron composure cracked and his hand tightened around the handle of his umbrella. He half raised it as if to strike, but quickly regained control.

“Thank you for saying that, Vernon. You’ve made it a lot easier for me.”

Vernon’s easy smile vanished in an instant. “You know something, you remind me of my old colonel. I couldn’t stand him either. Harry!” he called. “Get in here!”

Harry came in from the other bar drying a pewter tankard.

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