people's doors in the middle of the night, then dragging them away for brutal interrogation. What's the informant's name?'
'Coral Flenton,' Nield said quietly.
'That's better. Don't make me drag every detail out of you. Who is she? Where does she work – if she does work?'
'She's a civil servant. Assistant to the Parrot, who treats her abominably. Very dominating, the Parrot, always hoping she can catch Coral out in a mistake. And, Newman…' Nield had raised his voice, 'she's sensitive so I won't have you upsetting her. You've become a bit of a bastard on occasions recently.'
'I have,' Newman agreed, lighting one of his rare cigarettes. 'But when you're dealing with characters like Fitch, who was on the verge of kidnapping Paula from her home, the Marquess of Queensberry rules are pretty useless.'
'You could meet her in about half an hour's time,' Nield said after checking his watch. 'I've agreed to meet her at a cafe in Covent Garden – Popsies. I'll introduce you then make myself scarce.'
'I would appreciate that,' Newman replied, standing up.
What Newman didn't know was that Paula had guessed what he was up to. And it bothered her. After leaving the photo with a boffin she darted out of the front door. She chose Harry's Fiat, locating the spare ignition key under the cheap floor covering. Typical of Harry that he hadn't had the covering replaced.
She pushed the seat back, kept an eye on the door to Park Crescent, bobbed her head out of sight when Newman emerged with Pete.
15
Paula carefully followed Newman's car. He was good at spotting tails, but Paula was expert at not being seen. Newman was clever in the route he took to Covent Garden, using the back streets from Leicester Square favoured by experienced cabbies. Once there, he drove very slowly, glancing out of his window at a cafe. Paula had trouble reading the elaborate script but then made out the name. Popsies.
Most people were going home so Newman soon found an empty parking spot. Paula drove straight past him, found another empty spot. She put coins in the meter as Newman and Nield entered the cafe.
If Nield's informant was a man she wouldn't worry. If it was a woman she'd fume. Newman was in no mood to be subtle. Paula understood why and he had saved her life on Black Island. She jumped inside a shop entrance when Nield reappeared and went off towards the market.
Paula took her sunshade out of the car where she'd thrown it after collecting it from the office. Tweed, thank Heaven, had been absorbed on the phone. He'd have had a fit if he'd known she was out on her own.
She strolled along slowly under her sunshade even though it was by now dusk. As she passed the entrance to Popsies she saw Newman's back seated stiffly and a good view of a small attractive girl. She took out her camera, took two quick shots, walked on.
'So you're some sort of friend of Pete's,' Coral Flenton said with an edge to her tone.
'That's right. We work closely together…'
'On special insurance. You take premiums from rich men frightened of being kidnapped.'
She had made it sound like a racket. Her large hazel eyes never left Newman's. He knew she was suspicious, hostile. Pity, because he liked her.
'That's right,' he answered. 'But we've been landed with a grim murder investigation. May I ask what you do in the way of work?'
'I'm a civil servant. I think you knew that.'
Newman sipped the coffee he'd ordered. It was very good. He could bring Roma here one evening before taking her on to dinner.
'I believe you work for the Parrot,' he struggled on.
'You mean Miss Partridge.'
Her expression was blank and those penetrating eyes never left his. He was beginning to lose the plot. He really liked her but was getting nowhere.
'Do you have anything to do with Nelson, Benton and Noel Macomber?' he asked with another forced smile.
'No, they're in another room.'
'So who does look after them?'
'Miss Partridge.'
'Ever heard of State Security?' he asked, moving in deeper.
'What?'
'State Security.'
'That's a new one on me.'
Newman forced himself to relax in the comfortable chair. He kept smiling and she kept the blank expression. Newman did not give up easily.
'Another life may be at stake after one horrific murder and that's why I'm asking these questions.'
'I'm sorry to hear that.'
'I'm referring to the murder of Viola Vander-Browne. It's in the papers today.'
'Now you're putting me off my dinner this evening. I read about it.'
'May I ask you out to dinner? I promise not to ask you any more questions.'
'Certainly not. I already have a date, Mr Newman.'
'I think I'd better go now.' Newman stood up and called the waitress for the bill.
'Don't pay for me,' she said through clenched teeth.
Newman walked out into the street. He spread out his hands wide in frustration as he saw Nield approaching. Seated now in the Fiat with her head hunched down, Paula saw, understood the gesture. She was not surprised. She waited until Newman with Nield by his side had driven away, then got out, put more coins in the meter and walked along and entered Popsies.
The cafe was empty except for Coral Flenton, who had ordered more coffee, as if to get over her annoyance. Paula stood, staring round vaguely, caught Coral's eye, walked slowly to her table.
'Excuse me, but if you're not waiting for someone I dislike having even coffee alone.'
'Sit down,' Coral invited with a flashing smile. 'The coffee here is rather good.' She waved to the waitress and ordered another cup.
'I'm a bit of a fake,' Paula confessed. 'I'm a friend of Pete Nield, work closely with him.'
'Really.' Coral became guarded. 'And also a friend of Mr Bob Newman?'
'I'm senior to him.' She paused. 'Friend is the wrong word,' she said, implying she didn't much like him. 'He is a very able man but he has to be careful with me otherwise I'd rip him to bits – verbally.'
'So you work for the same insurance outfit,' Coral pressed her.
'Yes, I do…' Paula paused. 'I rarely say this to anyone because it sounds so egotistical but I'm second in command. I heard Pete saying he was going to Covent Garden so I thought I'd see if I could find him – to tell him to take the evening off.'
God, I'm awful, Paula thought, making all this up – but this woman could be important. She saw Coral's features relax and when she spoke her manner was animated and friendly.
'You then saw it was Newman so you waited until he had pushed off. If I can help in any way to solve that dreadful murder I will. You see I knew Viola, that is Miss Vander-Browne.'
'Do you know any of her men friends by chance?'
'No, I don't. I do know the Parrot – that's my boss, Miss Partridge – was in a fury and I wondered if she was having a thing with the murderer.'
'Why would she do that? Be in a fury, I mean.'
'Because Viola was very much a woman of the world. I don't wish to speak ill of the dead but Viola, a really nice person, spent the night with rich men for a lot of money. She spent so much on clothes the generous legacy she inherited didn't always cover her wants. I don't think Viola would have minded my telling you if it helps to track
