'A small load of Semtex, attached to wires leading to the detonator box. So I fiddled with the wiring. When it was attached to the detonator the clock was at zero. Now it's at sixty seconds. I also found a map showing the way to Richmond Park.'
'Oh, my God!' exclaimed Newman. 'Exploded there it would cause a mass slaughter.'
'No, it wouldn't,' Harry contradicted him. 'The route marked led to a side entrance a long way from the river.
Hardly anybody uses that entrance. I checked on my way back. Not a soul about.'
'Well, what will happen when the driver arrives to position it?'
'He'll get in, start the engine. The vibrations will set off the clock, then the detonator. I doubt if he'll have even moved forward before the whole caboose explodes harmlessly in the field. End of truck, end of driver.'
'Well, that's one worry off our minds,' Tweed commented. 'So many thanks to you, Harry.'
'All part of the job.'
A moment later George appeared. He was holding an envelope sent by registered post. He took it over to Paula. 'For you,' he said and left the office quickly to return to his post.
'I recognize the handwriting,' Paula said. 'It's from Coral
'Stop!' Tweed had jumped to his feet. 'Don't open that. Take it downstairs and have it X-rayed.'
'I think that's carrying security a bit far,' she grumbled, but she left them with the package to consult a boffin. She was back quickly. 'It's OK. The X-ray showed a key and a folded sheet of paper. If you don't mind, I would like to open it.'
Dear Paula – Got something to tell you. I'm so excited! Can you pop over one evening? Soon! Love, Coral.
She was taking it over to show Tweed when Newman snatched it off her to her intense annoyance. He read it, gave it back to her.
'Do you make a habit of reading people's personal correspondence?' she snapped.
'I do in the present dangerous situation.'
She glared at him, then gave Tweed the letter as Newman completed his comment.
'Sounds as though she'd just got a new boyfriend.'
'I agree,' said Tweed, returning the letter to Paula. 'Might be nice to call on her when you can.'
'When I can,' she said, returning to her desk. 'Nice to know she trusts me.' She held up the front-door key. 'But it will have to wait a few days. I've got my own report you asked me to type for Howard and a dozen other things in my lap.'
The door opened and Howard himself walked in. Normally amiable, his expression was grim. He chose his favourite chair, assumed his usual seated stance, sprawling one leg over an arm of the chair. Tweed waited for him to say something.
'I've read your proposed report on present happenings for the PM, Tweed. The situation is even worse than I had realized. I hope you don't mind, but I have strengthened certain passages.'
'I thought you'd tone them down.'
'We've got to shock him into action with the Cabinet -with the truth. I would like to wait a few days before I submit it, subject to your approval. It will give me time to talk to certain important MPs and key civil servants. Then we drop this bomb in the PM's lap – after the ground has been prepared.'
'I leave the timing to you.'
Howard, who would have been useless handling Tweed's work, was a clever diplomat when it came to dealing with the Whitehall jungle. He dealt with people Tweed had no desire to meet. Howard was pompous, but he dealt with pompous people. He studied Tweed.
'You've got so much on your plate yet you look so fresh. This crazy idea of merging all security services. Then you are investigating a particularly brutal murder. It's a lot.'
'I'm coping,' Tweed said.
'I wish to thank all of you,' Howard said, standing up. 'I do know you employ your many skills to support Mr Tweed. And a key element in any problem is always you, Paula. My thanks.'
On which note he left. Paula was taken aback. Never before had Howard been so nice to the staff. It was a sign that he appreciated the tension they were all working under.
'I'm going down to Whitehall,' Marler announced. 'To keep an eye on that Cabal. See you…'
'And I'm off to my patch,' Harry said, jumping up. 'Something's happening in the East End. Back sometime.'
'Paula,' said Nield, 'would you mind if I go and see Coral? Can I tell her your package has arrived safely? That you'll be coming to see her but you're overwhelmed just now?'
'Wish you would. Saves me a phone call, maybe several before I get her when she comes back from work.'
'On my way.'
The phone rang shortly after Nield had left. Monica answered, pulled a face as she looked at Tweed.
'We've got Commander Buchanan downstairs. Wants to see you yesterday.'
'I suppose I'd better see him.'
Tweed had stood up behind his desk to greet his old friend. Buchanan, wearing uniform, shoved open the door roughly, came in with an expression like thunder.
'Welcome, Roy,' Tweed said with a smile. 'Do sit down. Now, what is the problem?'
'You are.'
'Tell me about it, Roy,' Tweed replied calmly, sitting down.
'Chief Inspector Hammer wants a statement from you. Including your movements on the night of the murder of Viola Vander-Browne. He knows you dined with her at Mungano's that night. Then she drove home alone. No trace of you afterwards. So no alibi.'
'Because I have no alibi,' Tweed informed him quietly.
'Well, you're Hammer's chief suspect,' barked Buchanan.
'Commander,' Paula called out, 'do you mind keeping your voice down.'
'Interrupting your concentration, am I?' Buchanan shot back as he turned to look at her.
'Yes, you are,' she replied.
'Sorry, I didn't intend to do that.'
Buchanan had calmed down a bit due to Paula's intervention. Tweed waited, hands clasped on his desk.
'I visited you on the day after that horrible murder, said I'd come back the next day. You weren't here. No one would say where you'd gone. Now, what about that statement?' Buchanan asked more quietly.
'I'm the chief investigator. There will be no statement.'
'Oh, dear.' The Commander took off his peaked cap, mopped his damp forehead. 'Maybe I overshot the mark a bit. There has been a new terrorist alert and we're working without any hope of sleep.'
'We have known each other many years, Roy,' Tweed reminded him.
'I know, but Chief Inspector Hammer-'
'Bloody Hammerhead,' Paula said to herself.
'What was that?' Buchanan demanded, turning again to her.
'Nothing.'
He was giving her a hard look. She stared straight back, a certain look in her eyes. He dropped his gaze first, then stood up, the cap in his hand.
'Well, I've done all I can,' he snapped.
'Many years,' Tweed repeated.
Buchanan opened his mouth as though to apologize but nothing came out. He disappeared.
'What do you think of that?' Monica asked indignantly.
'He's exhausted,' Paula said. 'He had a gaunt look. I doubt he's had sleep for several days.'
'Nor has Tweed on many occasions,' Monica persisted, 'but he's never lost his self-control. Maybe we can get a bit of peace and quiet now for the rest of the day and evening.'
She turned out to be quite wrong.
It was much later when the phone rang. Monica answered, called out to Tweed.
'Professor Saafeld on the line.'
