Monica found one for her. Jenny put the book inside, sealed it. She gave Newman a brief wink. She had hardly glanced at Mark, but Paula felt sure she would recognize him if she saw the American again.
'This make take longer than the other problem,' she warned Tweed and left the room.
For several minutes Tweed explained to Mark the Lisa situation. He emphasized that he was very unsure about her, told him how he had met her.
'Lord Barford again,' Mark mused.
'Yes. And from what you've told me Bernard Bariord is on the rocks financially. Something I didn't even suspect…'
The phone had rung. Monica called across to Tweed. 'Lisa is waiting downstairs now. Bang on time.'
'Ask her to come up.'
Lisa came into the room, wearing a grey raincoat. Monica had offered to take it but she shook her head, sitting down at Tweed's invitation. He started by introducing everyone in the room except Paula by their first names only.
'Now, before we decide to go anywhere with you, I need to know far more about you. Where do you live?'
'In a flat off Ebury Street. I'd sooner not give you the address. Two very tough-looking men stalked me but I gave them the slip,' Lisa explained.
'Who were they? Or who sent them, if someone did?'
'I've no idea. Absolutely no idea.'
'This is all very vague,' Tweed suggested. 'At Lord Barford's party you told me your job was that of a confidante. Can you elaborate?'
'I should have said I was a security consultant.' She was relaxing now, no longer sitting stiffly in her chair. 'I look after one of the most powerful men in the world. He told me to come and see you.'
'I'm surprised he knows I exist.'
'He has deep contacts all over the world. He knows who you really are.'
'And who am I?' asked Tweed.
'Deputy Director of the SIS. That insurance stuff on that plate by the front door is just cover. He knows very big trouble is planned for London. He sent me over to find out first which areas they're targeting – so I could tell you. They're the West End and the East End. Tonight.'
'Who are the troublemakers?'
'Your stupid government lets in too many so-called refugees. They don't realize that many have been trained in guerrilla warfare abroad. I'm pretty sure that tonight is a dress rehearsal for the main attack which will come later. They'll be testing out the reactions of your police force. I don't know when they'll strike, but I'm sure it will be after dark.' She lifted a hand to brush back her mane of red hair. 'How many men can you muster?'
'Probably, including myself, say six. Except for one who will arrive shortly, they are in this room. One of them,' he went on, not looking at Newman, 'has SAS training. The others are up to his standard. Paula is among the six. I wouldn't make the mistake of understimating her.' Tweed raised an eyebrow, looking at Paula.
'We have met.' Lisa smiled. 'I think she could be dangerous.'
'Would you like a cup of coffee?' asked Monica belatedly. She had been fascinated by what-Lisa was saying.
'I'd love one, thank you very much.'
'This very powerful man you mentioned. I'd be happier if I knew his name,' Tweed demanded.
'I have promised never to reveal that.'
'Couldn't be Rondel, could it?' he asked casually.
Lisa looked down at her lap.
'No, it couldn't be,' she said.
'You know…' Tweed began doodling faces on his pad. 'If I've no idea where I can contact you we simply can't work together.'
'He said you were not only very clever, but also very tough and never gave up. I'm not living at the flat off Ebury Street any more. I've moved to The Hangman's Noose. It's a pub in the East End near Reefers Wharf. You could always get me there or, if I'm out, speak to Herb, the owner.'
'Is he trustworthy?'
'He should be.'
'Why, if I might ask?' interjected Mark, who had kept silent while he watched her.
'Why?' She turned on him. 'Because at one time he served with bloody Military Intelligence.' She took a folded sheet from her shoulder bag, handed it to Tweed. 'That is a list of the probable targets tonight.'
Tweed read slowly through the typed list. He was careful not to show his anxiety. He looked straight at her.
'This covers a lot of territory. My guess is that Herb, with his Army experience, has helped build up this list.'
'You've hit the nail on the head.' She smiled. 'He also said you were very quick on the uptake.'
'Herb, you mean?'
'No, the man who sent me over here as the Messenger to warn you. You said there will be six of us…'
'Seven. Including yourself.'
'We'll need transport to move us from the West End to the East.'
'And we have loads of it,' said Harry Butler. 'In all makes and sizes.'
'I've worked out how we'll travel,' Tweed announced. 'Three cars. I'll drive Car One with Paula next to me. Newman will drive Car Two with Lisa and Mark as passengers. Car Three will be yours, Harry, taking Pete Nield with you, if he does ever get here.'
'He will,' Harry said. 'And mine will be the four-wheel drive. I've reinforced the ram at the front. Might come in useful.'
'Could I go to the bathroom?' Lisa asked as she finished her coffee. 'That was very good,' she added, turning round to look at Monica. 'Thank you.'
'I'll take you,' Paula volunteered. The two women left the room.
'Well, what do you think of her?' Tweed enquired, glancing round the office.
'She'll do,' said Butler. 'I've been watching her.'
'Resourceful, reliable.' Newman gave his verdict.
'I second Bob,' Mark agreed.
'I case you're interested in my opinion,' Monica began, 'I think she's the tops. And in a rough-house my bet is she'd give a good account of herself. Notice the steel rims on the toes of her shoes?'
'No, I didn't,' Newman admitted.
'That's because she'd covered the steel with thick polish.' 'Sounds as though she could be an asset in our car,'
Mark said to Newman. 'And I thought we'd have to look after her. ..'
'You may find she has to look after you,' Monica commented wickedly.
'Weapons,' said Harry.
'I'm taking my Smith amp; Wesson,' Newman remarked.
'Now listen.' Tweed raised his voice. 'There is to be no shooting on this expedition. Only if your life is in danger or you fear serious injury. The police will be there.'
'When it's all over,' Newman replied cynically.
He had just spoken when Pete Nield came in. He gave Tweed a little salute.
'Sorry I'm so late. Saw an accident on my way here. A lady had a broken leg. As usual, no one knew what to do. I lifted her into the back of a car which was going to drive her to a hospital. Got a glass of water from a nearby house and got her to swallow a couple of painkillers. Always carry stuff like that with me.'
'Ruddy walking medicine chest, you are,' Harry snorted.
The two men often worked as a team, knew they could always rely on each other. The contrast between them was striking. Butler always wore a shabby windcheater, denims which had seen better days, a pullover ragged at the cellar. Whereas Nield, slim and erect, was smartly dressed in a blue suit with shirt and tie.
Tweed began talking, bringing Nield up to date tersely with everything that had happened. Nield listened
