Old School Tie by Andrew Taylor

Author:Andrew Taylor [Taylor, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780575038325
Amazon: 0575038322
Publisher: Gollancz
Published: 1986-06-02T04:00:00+00:00

"Parting is such sweet sorrow." Pantry peered over his glasses at Dougal. "But only a temporary one, I hope. I often think that Rosington casts a spell over people."

"You mean they keep coming back?" Dougal felt his stomach lurch but managed to control his surprise. Pantry talked so much that it was only to be expected he would occasionally produce a remark which held an uncomfortable and unforeseen relevance for his listener.

Beneath the bandage, Hanbury's face was as bland as ever. "Perhaps they come back for the people rather than the place."

Pantry bowed, taking the compliment for himself. "Such a comfort to know one isn't entirely useless," he murmured, laying a skinny hand on Dougal's arm. "And when shall we see you again, dear boy?"

"In a few days." Dougal had to raise his voice, for Sophie was barking behind them in the Range Rover. "I'm borrowing Sophie to show her the bright lights."

"I'm so glad." Pantry gazed soulfully into Dougal's eyes. "So very glad."

Dougal backed away. "We must be off."

"Come to tea when you get back." Pantry waved at them as they climbed into the car.

Hanbury let out the clutch and the Range Rover rolled down the hill towards the station. "Well, that's sorted out. The news of your departure will be all over town by lunchtime."

"Is it really necessary for me to go?"

"We can't be too careful." Hanbury honked his horn and waved at Julia Westmoreland who was climbing slowly up the hill. "We've been through all this: there might be someone at the station or even on the same train. We have to create the illusion that I'm alone. Ring me about lunchtime, and with luck we'll be able to arrange the next stage. You'd better find a hotel, in case there's a delay."

Dougal glanced at Hanbury; he wondered if the older man was running a temperature. "With that head injury you should be in bed."

"All in good time." Hanbury pulled into the station car park. "Now—are you sure you've got the gun?"

There were two guns—Beretta Modello 1934s. Hanbury had cleaned them this morning on the kitchen table. Dougal, staring at these dismantled killing machines, had made a last plea for common sense.

"Why do you want me as your back-up? Why not Lewis? If we're right, and if Lewis is there—"

"I'm not having the police meddling in my private affairs." Hanbury, having reassembled one of the pistols, rammed home the seven-round box magazine. "You ei-

ther give me your word that you'll help or—ah—I'll lock you and that bloody dog in the cellar until it's over." The arrogance drained away; Hanbury lowered the gun. "It's Molly, you see. That makes it personal."

Dougal had unwillingly agreed to help. The thought of himself and Sophie indefinitely trapped in the cellar was only part of the reason. There was also the inexplicable loyalty he felt towards Hanbury, his employer and even, though it was hard to admit this, his mentor.

But there was another, more powerful reason for helping. If he had been

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