Cell

'Tweed, Deputy Director of the SIS.'

'Someone phoned to say you were coming. Who was it?'

'Superintendent Buchanan of the Yard.'

'Doesn't take any chances, does she?' Paula whispered.

They heard the three Banham locks being turned, the door opened and they faced a tall, forbidding woman, slim, with grey hair and well-dressed. She stared at Paula with her penetrating eyes.

'Who might this be?'

'It might be my personal assistant, Paula Grey. And it is,' Tweed said with a wry smile.

'I suppose you'd better come in. I must warn you I have very little time.'

'The interview will last as long as is necessary,' Tweed said, his expression grim.

They were led into a large living-room with white leather sofas and chairs scattered about. Tweed and Paula shared a sofa while Mrs Carson perched on a carver chair facing them, her lips pursed in her bony face.

'Now,' she announced, 'let us get on with it. I told you I was short of time.'

'I would have thought you'd be worried stiff about the disappearance of your mistress. It is over three weeks since she vanished without trace at Carpford.'

'The security forces are doing everything they can to solve this mystery,' she snapped.

Her tone and manner were hostile. Paula decided she didn't like Tweed. She leaned forward and smiled as she spoke.

'Mrs Carson. A woman is more likely to give us the vital clue. Mr Tweed has told me – he knows her slightly – that Linda Warner is an avid reader. Always takes a book with her. Do you know what she was reading before she left?'

'Yes, I do. She was wading through Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Kept it by her bedside. Always took it with her when she was going somewhere – in case she had a few spare minutes.'

'Could I ask you to check whether the volume she was reading is now on her bedside table?'

'Yes, it is, with the marker in the page she had reached.'

'That suggests she anticipated a quick trip to Carpford, since she left the book behind. Would you agree?'

'Yes, I would.' Mrs Carson had relaxed, looking at Paula and ignoring Tweed all the time. 'She expected to be back in the evening.'

'Did she take any of her clothes with her?' Paula continued.

'No. Except for her sable. It is cold up at Carpford. I checked myself, carefully. The idiots from Special Branch never thought to ask that shrewd question.'

'Did she receive – or make – a phone-call before she left?'

'No. Another question they missed. Really, it is quite a relief to talk to someone who knows their job. Would you like something to drink? Tea? Coffee?'

'No, thank you. I've recently had breakfast. Did Mrs Warner give you any indication why she was going to Carpford?'

'All she said to me before she rushed off was that she was going on an urgent mission.'

'On behalf of her husband?'

'That I can't tell you, although I assume that was the case. I do know Mr Warner was going to be back from the Ministry late in the evening. Some big meeting.'

'You must be worried about what has happened to her.'

As she continued her interrogation Paula was smiling all the time. Mrs Carson kept leaning towards her as she answered. Her original stiffness had disappeared.

'Miss Grey, I'm worried stiff. It is so unlike her. I did try to phone Carpford late in the the afternoon but no one answered the phone. I assumed she was on her way back.'

'Was she a sociable lady?'

'When it was required. Attending dinners with her husband. One by one her friends left the area. Mostly diplomats' wives who joined their husbands when they were posted overseas.'

'And did she spend much time up at their place in Carpford?'

'As little as possible. I gathered she didn't like the place. She once called it strange, whatever that meant.'

'When she went there I imagine it was with her husband. So she must have clothes up there.'

'No, she hasn't. She'd take what she needed and always she brought it back with her. Every item.'

Paula stood up, after checking her watch. 'Mrs Carson, you have been very generous with your time. We appreciate that. There is one delicate question which I don't expect you to answer, but we have to eliminate every possibility. How can I phrase this? Did she have any close men friends?'

'I'm a woman of the world. The Special Branch wretches did ask about that – more brutally. The answer is no, she did not. As her housekeeper I'm the one person who would know. If you think of anything else please contact me. You are the first person who has come here I feel will find her.'

'Thank you. We'll leave you in peace now – as much peace as is possible.'

'I didn't say one word,' Tweed commented as they got into their parked car. 'You did a wonderful job. I realized she didn't like me. What do you make of it now?'

'I find it sinister.'

'Before we go back, call Buchanan on that irritating mobile of yours. Tell him we are now ready to go with him down to Carpford whenever it suits him. Ask him to set up the scene they found – Linda Warner's car parked at a bend in the road.'

'What was Mrs Warner like? I never met her.'

'An exceptionally intelligent woman. Like her husband very patriotic. I'm baffled. I wish you hadn't used that word sinister.'

1

Arriving back at Park Crescent, they were surprised to see a black Saab parked outside the SIS entrance. Superintendent Buchanan was seated alone behind the wheel, tapping his fingers. Seeing them coming, he held up his hand. Tweed parked before driving into the Crescent. Buchanan drove out, parked behind them, jumped out of his car.

'We can leave for Carpford now,' he informed Tweed through his open window. 'After the lab people had checked Mrs Warner's car I had it sent back and parked in a garage near Abinger Hammer. It has now been taken up and is on the Downs, positioned in precisely the position it was found empty when she went missing. I'll lead the way. Ready?'

'We'd better get on with it,' Tweed agreed. 'Lead on Macduff.'

It was February, late morning and very cold under a brilliant blue sky as Buchanan headed on to the A3. Paula was glad she had worn her warm blue overcoat and kept on her gloves.

They were soon clear of the city traffic and racing down the A3 with open country on both sides. Both Buchanan and Tweed were fast-moving drivers, keeping just inside the speed limit. In less than an hour Buchanan was signalling them to turn off the main road up a slip road.

At the top he turned left and they were deep in the country. They sped up a steep hill, reached the top, plunged down a curving road with panoramic views across high rolling hills. Paula asked Tweed where they were.

'Entering the first sweep of the North Downs. I know this area. Carpford I've never seen, wouldn't know how to get there.'

'What do you know about Victor Warner's background?'

'Reputed to be clever. Did a stint with Naval Intelligence, joined Medfords Security as a director when he came into civvy street. Spotted by the PM before the present one. Gave Warner a safe seat so he became an MP. Climbed the ladder quickly. When the Ministry of Security was formed Warner was the obvious choice to take over as Minister.'

'Would I like him?'

'Don't think so. Dominant personality. Knows he's the cat's whiskers. But very able.'

'Why would he want another place way out here in the wilds?'

'You probably would, after hours of sitting in Cabinet sessions listening to a lot of hot air. Warner, like half-a-dozen others, is tipped as the next Prime Minister.'

They had reached the bottom of the plunging hill, continuing along a main road with fields stretching away on either side. Not a lot of traffic. Buchanan was signalling again to be ready to turn right. They swung round an ancient inn of brick which protruded dangerously into the road.