ST01 by Unknown Author

Author:Unknown Author
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-08-24T04:00:00+00:00

20

‘Well, what did you think of Trudy Warner?’ Tweed asked as Newman emerged from the bathroom.

‘My money’s on her.’ Newman was grinning. ‘What a looker—saw her through the keyhole.’ His expression became serious. ‘What hell she’s been through—seeing her husband shot in the mouth by that bastard, Bancroft. Good job you briefed me earlier. I was able to follow every word. And the way she covered her tracks. We could use her on the team—we really could.’

‘Well, maybe she is on the team. But I want her checked out. I would like you to contact her New York employer, National Intelligence and Security. You could say she’s been recommended to you for security work and ask their opinion.’

‘I’ll go back to my room. I’d like a quiet few minutes to work out how I’ll handle it.’

He opened the door and Paula was standing in the corridor. She whispered, ‘Coast clear?’

‘Yes, I’m just leaving.’

‘Musical chairs. One out, one in.’

‘I forgot to tell Tweed something.’ Newman went back into the suite with her. ‘We’ve shifted those two Bate snoops,’ he told Tweed.

‘Good. How did you manage that?’

‘Pete and I just sat on the other side of the lobby and stared straight at them nonstop. They didn’t like it. Then Butler arrived back—he’d had the sense to take off his motorbike gear and leave it behind. Underneath he was wearing a business suit. He caught on immediately to what we were up to. So he plonks himself down in a chair next to me and stares at Mervyn Leek. I think he did the trick—when Harry stares at someone they get very uncomfortable.’

“They’ve left the hotel?’

‘They have. It was comical. Watching them try to get up casually as though they’d just been resting. Made a real mess of it. I don’t think Special Branch training comes within a mile of ours.’

‘Good work.’

‘Now I’m on my way back to my room to do that check on Trudy.’

‘What check?’ Paula asked when he had left. ‘I’m back early because I decided quickly what I’m wearing tonight for my evening out with Chance. I’m wearing my black number. I rejected the frilly job—a bit too exotic. Now, what check on Trudy?’

Tweed told her about his second meeting. From memory he recalled every word that had been said. Paula, serious-faced, leaned forward, tucking away in her mind every detail.

‘Newman thinks she passes muster,’ Tweed concluded, ‘but I asked him to check with the New York security agency she says she worked for. He’s doing that now. You’ve heard of Ramstead, the school she says she attended in Surrey?’

‘That’s like asking if I’ve heard of Roedean.’

‘I want you to phone Ramstead, try to get through to the headmistress, check her out as best you can. Might be difficult.’

‘No, it won’t be. I’ve just had a baby, a little girl, want to get her a place at Ramstead when she’s old enough. A friend of mine, Petula Pennington, recommended it to me. I’ll see if the name strikes a chord.

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