Blood Storm

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 down the hideous killer.'

'Did she do this often?'

'Only about three times a year, she told me. We were old friends because we went to the same boarding school. I'm small and you know how vicious some girls can be. Viola used to protect me.'

'So you know Fox Street?'

'Quite well. I used to go and see her and we'd have a meal in her flat. She was a marvellous cook. I'm not going to the police because if they came to my work place the Parrot might use it to have me chucked out of the Civil Service. I need the job, you see.'

'Don't go to the police, then. A very able man, no longer in the police, is investigating the murder. May I tell him what you've told me? It's up to you.'

'I could do with some support.' Coral finished her coffee. 'I trust you, so if you trust this investigator – and you must – then it's OK by me to pass it all on to him. If you're ready to go I'd like you to come and see me sometime. My pad is just down the road. I could show you.'

'I'd like that,' Paula said with a smile.

Coral insisted on paying the small bill. As they were leaving the cafe, which was beginning to fill up, she took a plain visiting card from her handbag. She slipped it to Paula, who palmed it.

'It's got my address, phone number, mobile number,' Coral went on as they turned right towards the main part of Covent Garden. 'The mortgage was terrifying but I liked the place. Tucked away. Here it is.'

They paused before the entrance to a slim three-storey building, recently built after the demolition of several small shops, Paula guessed. She looked up as Coral pointed, gazed up. Paula had a shock.

'That window on the first floor is my living room,' Coral explained. 'The window is frosted glass for privacy. Not much to look out at anyway.'

Paula stared at the tall frosted-glass window. It had a horrible similarity to the blood-drenched window in Fox Street, where Viola had been slaughtered. She forced herself to smile as Coral continued speaking.

'Not much space except in the living room. You see now why I put up with the Parrot -I need the salary.'

'Here is my card,' Paula said, giving her the version with General amp; Cumbria Assurance, the cover name on the plate outside the SIS headquarters. 'If I'm out speak to Monica, give her your first name only. If you're worried I'll come as soon as I can.'

'I have enjoyed your company,' Coral said as they shook hands. 'Let's see each other soon.'

'I have a photograph of the murderer of Vander-Browne,' Tweed was saying on the phone when Paula returned. Newman and Nield were sitting down, facing each other like antagonists.

Tweed clapped his hand over the phone to inform Paula.