Red Crystal by Clare Francis

Author:Clare Francis [Francis, Clare]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: UK
ISBN: 9780330467612
Publisher: Pan Macmillan UK
Published: 1987-02-03T13:00:00+00:00

‘Who the hell are the National Coalition?’ demanded Chief Superintendent Straughan.

Everyone stared at Mason, the Branch man who covered right-wing organizations. He shook his head. ‘Nothing on file, sir. Never been heard of before.’

Ryder sneezed and blew his nose. He’d just arrived, having phoned in earlier and heard the news. He was rather glad he wasn’t in Mason’s shoes, having to admit he knew nothing.

‘Right,’ said Straughan, ‘Commander Kershaw, late of the Serious Crime Squad, is in charge of the investigation. Mason and Smith are being seconded to assist. For the rest of you – I want ears to the ground. I want to be reassured that no one on the left is going to get agitated and start thinking about reprisals.’

As they got up to leave Straughan frowned at Nick. ‘No one told me you were back with us, Nick. Got clearance from the CMO, I trust?’

‘Sir. Should come through tomorrow.’

As they returned to the office Conway murmured, ‘Careful, he’ll check up on it.’

With bad grace, Nick phoned the Central Medical Officer’s office and made an appointment for later that afternoon.

Then he went down to the incident room, which had the air of frenetic activity that marked the early stages of a new case.

Nick found a face he vaguely recognized, a sergeant he’d worked with a few months back, and reintroduced himself. After chatting for a bit, Nick let it be known that he’d like to hear when any info came back from the explosives people at Woolwich. There was no reason why the sergeant should keep him in touch, except it was asked as a favour, and a lot of business around Scotland Yard was done by favours.

Nick went back to his office and, tempting some hot water out of the coffee machine, made himself an aspirin and hot lemon drink from a sachet that he had taken from Gabriella’s supply.

He thought back to the morning. What a strange lady she was. On waking she’d been cool and distant, almost resentful. She’d watched him covertly, as if assessing him afresh. Then, abruptly, she seemed to break out of whatever constrained her, and to regain a little of her confidence. Some of the previous evening’s mood had returned, and she became sharp and funny again.

He wondered if there was any future in the affair. Probably not. And in some ways he was sorry. She was good company when she made up her mind to it. He liked her smartness, her clever mind, the tough exterior which hid the vulnerability underneath. But at the same time she was uncertain, evasive, and volatile, as if, underlying all the toughness, there was a deep lack of self-confidence. She didn’t seem to know who she was, and that was a pity.

In the end she’d be trouble, he sensed it. And yet – there was something about her that intrigued him.

Also – he couldn’t help remembering – she might be useful.

The sergeant from downstairs phoned up with the preliminary report from Woolwich – the Home Office Branch of the Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment.

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