Marler pulled up outside a dark two-storey brick cottage, very small and undistinguished. The other two cars cruised past, pulled up further along the street as Marler got out.
He walked briskly up to the front door which opened immediately. Archie stood in the doorway.
'Those two cars which followed you…'
'The safest people in the world. One is my chief.'
'Tweed.' said Archie. 'And Bob Newman. Is the lady Paula Grey?'
Marler stared at him in astonishment. He had never revealed any of the names to his host. Archie's knowledge was unnerving. He thought quickly.
'Yes, you're right.'
'Invite them in.' said Archie.
Again Marler was astonished but he didn't show his reaction. Going back into the road he beckoned, was about to introduce them when Archie closed the door, locked it, led them into a small untidy room with worn- looking armchairs and piles of books on the floor.
'Please sit down, Miss Grey, Tweed, Mr Newman.'
'He knew who you were.' Marler said hastily, catching a certain expression on Tweed's face.
'I'm in need of protection.' Archie explained. 'So the more of you who know me the better. I'm making some coffee on the stove. Any takers?'
They all refused politely.
Paula was studying Archie with fascination. Small and lean, his face was pallid and he sported a small dark moustache which reminded her of pictures she'd seen of Hitler, but the resemblance ended there. At the corner of his mouth was a half-smoked dead cigarette and she suspected it stayed with him all the time he was awake. He had kindly, shrewd grey eyes and his movements were quick and nervous. It occurred to her he would be easy to recognize, which surprised her. He had a shock of grey hair which kept falling over his head. He spoke very fast but every word was clear. He sat down on a small wooden stool with his mug of coffee. From that moment on he was very still and all traces of nervousness disappeared.
'I'll get right to the point…' He addressed Tweed but included Paula in the conversation courteously at intervals.
'I'm talking about a man you will have heard of. Mr Leopold Brazil, the so-called billionaire. You've heard of the missing scientists who are the top men in their fields?'
'Yes,' said Tweed.
'They disappear overnight – with their wives – but often it is months before it is known they have gone. Always a good reason is given to their neighbours, their friends. It is a very well organized operation. Directly or indirectly they are all concerned with communications -especially with the so-called information superhighway.'
'Yes,' said Tweed.
'Brazil hires them for fantastic salaries. Somewhere he has established a high-tech laboratory with advanced equipment.'
'You really know this?' demanded Tweed, leaning forward.
'I have an informant. I can say no more at the moment.'
12
Tweed sat silent, made no attempt to press their host for further information. Paula had noticed that Newman had acted as though Archie was a stranger, someone he had never met before. It was the safety valve operating between an agent and an informant. Obviously Archie had kept Marler and Newman in separate compartments.
She really was intrigued by their host. Well dressed in a blue business suit, he wore surgical gloves. She tried not to look at them and glanced round the room. It hadn't been dusted for months. Archie seemed to read her mind.
'The gloves I wear intrigue you,' he said to her. 'By always wearing them I leave no fingerprints. The people who are searching for me are very skilled. Also, you have observed the room is covered in dust, does not look as though it has been inhabited for months. Which is the impression I wish to leave behind in case someone breaks in.'
'You're very thorough.'
'It is the secret of survival.'
'But what about the neighbours?' she persisted. 'Supposing someone questioned them?'
They would say the place was empty for months, that it was a holiday home. In a tiny village like this the locals do not take kindly to strangers.' He looked at Marler. 'Do I get protection?'
'We haven't the manpower to guard you wherever you go night and day. What sort of protection?'
'Just for the next few hours. Tomorrow I need to be driven to Heathrow, but tomorrow is a long way off.'
'The boot of my car,' Newman suggested. 'It won't be comfortable but you could stay overnight at the Black Bear in Wareham. Marler is staying there.'
'Comfort?' The cigarette at the comer of his mouth wobbled as he chuckled. 'Comfort is something I can live without. I have often slept rough – especially on the Continent. It is getting dark.' A frown creased his forehead.
Paula had noticed that dusk was beginning to fall. And there were no lights so Archie was becoming a silhouette in the gloom. He stood up.
'I will meet you all on the beach. Drive straight on through the village. I will join you. I have to clear up here. This mug has to be washed out. And there are other things to attend to. I will join you in a few minutes.'
'Can I help clearing up?' asked Paula as everyone stood up.
'Most kind, but I work faster alone.'
'Would I be inquisitive if I asked who you are afraid of?' coaxed Paula.
'Leave now. To answer your question, The Motorman is active. He killed the wrong man at Devastoke Cottage…'
They drove slowly down to the shore along a narrow road with arid fields on either side. It was dusk but the moon was up and Paula shuddered. The end of the world.
Pulling up in a flattened area above the sea which probably served as a car park during the season, Tweed switched the engine off. Paula got out, fastened the top button of her windcheater.
The bay was deserted with cliffs rising on both sides. A bitter wind blew off the sea, which was a chaos of churning waves. She looked back at Kimmeridge and saw specks of light. Newman was already busy with his open boot. She walked over to him and Marler stood watching.
Newman had hauled the travelling rugs out of the rear of his car, was arranging them inside the boot as a makeshift bed.
'He'll be able to breathe all right?' Paula queried.
'Plenty of air in there.' Newman assured her. 'I'll give two hoots on the horn occasionally.' he informed Tweed, who had joined them. 'Wait for me. I'll be checking to make sure Archie is OK. You can get him a room at the Black Bear?' he asked Marler.
'Easily. He'll probably want to stay in it. I'll tell the staff he's feeling exhausted and get a meal sent up to him. You'll be over from the Priory in the morning to take him to Heathrow.'
'I wonder where he's off to?' Paula mused.
'Don't ask him.' Tweed warned. 'He's one of the most remarkable characters I've encountered in a long time. And it's uncanny how he knows everything that's happening. Marler, you escort Newman back to Ware-ham.'
'Where are you off to?'
'I'm driving with Paula to Sterndale Manor.'
'The place will be a ruin.' Newman reminded him.
'Yes. But I like to observe for myself the scene of the crime. Probably goes back to the old days when I was a
