'No need, thank you. I know the way by now.'
He shook hands with Warner then walked slowly to the elevator. Before pressing the button he glanced back down the corridor, sensing someone was there. Twenty yards away Eva stood, watching him. She tucked the file under her arm and waved. Tweed waved back, pressed the button, the doors opened.
Afterwards he could not remember stepping into the elevator or riding down in it. He stood by himself, his face fixed as though in stone. Could it be possible? Later he couldn't even remember stepping out of the elevator.
Could it be possible?
32
Arriving back at Park Crescent in drizzling rain, they were surprised to see Buchanan's unmarked police car parked near their entrance. Tweed hurried up to his office, followed by Paula, Beaurain and Newman. Buchanan stood up, smiling.
'Well, how did the great war conference go?'
'Waste of time,' Beaurain told him. 'If Warner is typical of your ministers, they're almost as bad as those in Brussels.'
'Don't agree with you, Jules,' Tweed said. 'I found it most illuminating. Provided more links in the chain I'm building up. Trouble is vital links are missing. Do sit everyone.'
Paula realized he wasn't going to enlighten them. Not to be cryptic but because he hadn't decided whether he was right yet.
'What brings you here, Roy?' Tweed asked.
'We have a witness. You remember calling me about those five missing milk tankers? I did take notice. A few days ago I told Warden to call all the radio stations in the Midlands to ask them if anyone who had information would get in touch – information about the missing tankers. One alert lady phoned one station and they informed the locals who, in turn called me. A Mrs Sharp had phoned. I got her number, called her and asked her if she'd come to London to the Yard. Expenses would be paid. Hearing from the Yard excited her and she arrived this morning. After listening to her I brought her over here. She's waiting in that room facing your guard.'
'Monica, ask her to come up,' Tweed ordered.
'Here we go,' said Marler, standing near Paula's desk.
The door was opened by George, the guard, who stood aside and ushered in Mrs Sharp. In her sixties, tall, slim and smartly dressed, her white hair was elegantly coiffeured. Tweed went to meet her, extending his hand.
'We do appreciate your making this journey. Have you come a long way?'
'I live in the village of Gifford, near Milton Keynes, but in the country.'
She saw Buchanan, also standing, walk over to a wall map of England. She joined him. Her firm index finger pointed to Gifford. Buchanan circled it with a red pen.
'Oldhurst Farm,' she went on, 'is here. It's been abandoned for years. The farmer went bankrupt. It has two huge barns, a smaller one, near the farmhouse, and is approached down a neglected lane.'
Buchanan made another red circle. Tweed then asked her to sit in one of the armchairs facing his desk.
'I think Mrs Sharp should tell you her story as she told it to me,' Buchanan suggested.
'Then we'll get it right,' she said with a wicked smile at Buchanan.
She struck Tweed as very well educated, her voice decisive and crisp. A woman of considerable intelligence. He gave her his full attention.
'It would be three nights ago,' she began. 'I hope I have got that right. I've been so busy. At three in the morning I was driving back home down the road past Oldhurst Farm. I had been to see my sister who was unwell. Now recovered. As I reached the corner just before the entrance to the farm – I was driving slowly – I was startled to see a large milk tanker turn down that lane…'
'Any name on it?' asked Tweed.
'If there was I didn't see it. You see I was just in time to see it turning in. I was worried. I immediately thought of the remote farm used years ago by the Great Train robbers. So I waited, kept my engine ticking over. Then a few minutes later a small white van drove out. I did see the wording on its side. Florist.'
'An old van?'
'No, brand new. Luckily it turned in the opposite direction from where I waited…'
'Direction south-east, towards London,' Buchanan interjected. 'And the Ml is not so far away. Would take the van into the heart of London. Sorry to interrupt, Mrs Sharp.'
'That's all right. I'm getting the impression this could be important. On the way down in the train I read Drew Franklin's gossip column. Always do. He's malicious about people, I know, but so entertaining. Now, I think I've told you all I can, so…'
'So,' said Tweed, standing up, 'have you ever had tea at Brown's Hotel? It is an experience you won't find elsewhere.'
'No, I haven't. Oh, one more thing. I mentioned the three, no, the two large barns at Oldhurst Farm. There is a third, smaller barn behind them. Think I mentioned it.'
'Marler,' said Tweed, 'would you be good enough to escort Mrs Sharp for tea at Brown's?' He glanced at his watch, was appalled to see it was afternoon. 'They'll have started serving by the time you get there.'
'I'm going to enjoy this,' said Marler with one of his rare warming smiles. 'Afterwards I can drive you to the station to take you back. No, it's no trouble at all.'
'No trouble indeed,' agreed Tweed. 'Mrs Sharp, have you told anyone else about this except Superintendent Buchanan?'
'Absolutely no one. When I was asked to phone the Yard I knew it could be serious. You can rely on me to keep quiet. I'll even resist the temptation to tell my sister…'
Tweed thanked her again, escorted her to the door, followed by Marler. Before descending the stairs she turned, smiled at Tweed.
'What a nice lady,' Paula commented.
'Shrewd too. What was that reference to Drew Franklin's column about?'
Newman handed over the copy of the Daily Nation he had been skip-reading after she'd made her remark. He had ringed a paragraph.
Tweed began reading it, frowning as he read it once more.
A large force of al-Qa'eda have come to town. Their purpose? To launch a devastating attack on the capital, an attack which will make September 11 look like a skirmish. As usual Our security chums are in a panic. Just possible the SIS will save the day ~~ and London. They are near professionals.
'Typically,' Tweed commented, 'dear Drew compliments us, then takes a swipe at us. Near professionals.' He looked round the room. 'But this is going to drive Victor Warner mad. He can't retaliate – the Ministry of Security is not specifically mentioned.'
He passed the paper to Paula, who had left her desk and was itching to read the paragraph. Tweed handed the paper to her, then looked at Buchanan.
'Mrs Sharp. Perfect name for the lady. Are you acting on what she told us?'
'Excuse me!' Buchanan was indignant. 'Before I left the Yard I instructed Warden to check out Oldhurst Farm immediately. He's got a marked map like the one I used here. He's taking three patrol cars full of armed men. Strict instructions from me not to use sirens or lights when they're near the place.'
'They'll find the place empty,' Tweed predicted, 'but they may find clues.'
'Manchester,' Newman said suddenly. 'Had a quiet word with Marler while you were talking to Mrs Sharp. As you know, he had been out trawling every informant he could find. When he asked the top-flight ones they told him the word on the grapevine was that al-Qa'eda is gearing itself up for some tremendous operation on London. Only two second-raters said the target was Manchester – both suspects I'm sure are fed by Special Branch. Manchester!'
'Decoy,' said Beaurain.
