‘Of course,’ said Sir Marcus, indignantly. ‘I’ve already spoken to my banker.’
‘Then all we need to do,’ said Tallis, taking over, ‘is to devise a plan of action. The letter demands that you hand it over in person but that would expose you to unnecessary danger. Since it’s unlikely that this anonymous kidnapper has ever set eyes on you, I propose to go in your stead.’
‘That would put you at risk, sir,’ Colbeck pointed out.
Tallis straightened his shoulders. ‘I’m an army man. I thrive on risk.’
‘You may have done so in your younger days, Superintendent, but you are not as sprightly as you were then. There are three things to remember about the person we are up against. First,’ said Colbeck, ‘I believe that he is or was a soldier. Second, I am certain that he’ll be armed.’
‘Let me take issue with you on the first point,’ said Sir Marcus. ‘How do you know that he is a soldier?’
‘A man in uniform was seen waiting on the platform at Oxford when the train arrived. The one convincing explanation for your daughter’s disappearance is that he cleverly smuggled her away with her maid before her aunt or her cousin could even see them.’
Colbeck did not disclose his belief that Imogen had been in disguise as a soldier herself because that would have argued collusion on her part, a possibility that would have been fiercely denied by her father. The inspector therefore simply argued that a man with military training would be able to plan and execute a daring kidnap in a public place.
‘You said that there were three things,’ noted Sir Marcus.
‘Yes,’ replied Colbeck. ‘He is not acting alone. He will certainly have an accomplice — perhaps more than one.’
Tallis was adamant. ‘No British soldier would dare to behave in the way you indicate. It would be wholly against his moral code.’
‘Not if he was a deserter in search of money, sir. Wearing a uniform, as you know only too well, does not confer sainthood on someone. Every army has its share of malcontents.’
‘Why has this fellow chosen me as a target?’ asked Sir Marcus.
‘It’s because you are rich and famous. Your name is frequently in the newspapers. I seem to recall a sketch of you and your family at a garden party with the Prime Minister. Your wealth and position have attracted someone’s interest,’ said Colbeck, ‘and he has looked for a sign of vulnerability. Unfortunately, it comes in the shape of your beautiful daughter.’
‘I’ll have this devil flayed alive!’
‘He has to be caught first.’
‘Then I’ll go armed when I hand over the money,’ decided Tallis.
‘If anyone should go,’ asserted Sir Marcus, ‘it should be me. I’m Imogen’s father and I want to let her kidnapper know what I think of him.’
‘Antagonising him would be a great mistake,’ reasoned Colbeck. ‘Your emotions would get the better of you, Sir Marcus, and what is needed most of all is composure. Our priority is to ensure the safety of the two ladies. Once that’s been achieved, we can resort to action. That’s why I’m volunteering to act as the go-between tomorrow.’
‘But you’d never pass for Sir Marcus,’ said Tallis. ‘You’re too young.’
‘I can easily add a couple of decades to my appearance, sir.’
‘I am running this investigation, so I am electing myself.’
‘Then I have to overrule you,’ said Sir Marcus, sternly. ‘The inspector is more vigorous than either of us. He should be the person to confront the kidnapper and decide when force can be used.’
‘It will only be when the two ladies are released,’ Colbeck told him.
‘And after my money has been retrieved, I hope.’
‘That will be borne in mind, Sir Marcus.’
‘I insist on being present at the exchange,’ said Tallis, pompously.
‘And so you shall be,’ agreed Colbeck, ‘but we must obey the instructions to the letter. The money is to be handed over at a place that has been carefully chosen. Only one person — Sir Marcus — is to go to the designated meeting place. When I go instead of him, I expect that I will be under surveillance each step of the way. If the kidnapper has the cunning to abduct two ladies in broad daylight, he will also have the sense to bring a telescope. Come to Worcestershire, if you must, Superintendent,’ he said, ‘but you and Sir Marcus will have to remain out of sight.’
Tallis grumbled but eventually he agreed to the plan.
‘What about Mr Tunnadine?’ he asked. ‘He’ll want to be involved.’
‘Clive will do as I tell him,’ said Sir Marcus.
‘Is he aware of the ransom demand?’
‘He soon will be. A letter of explanation has been delivered to his house.’
Clive Tunnadine had never been the most considerate lover but he was rougher than usual that evening, arriving in a temper, falling upon her without preliminaries and, it seemed, taking out his anger on her. Lucinda Graham was pummelled, squeezed and bitten so hard that she called out in protest. Tunnadine smothered her cries with a brutal kiss before thrusting, arching and twisting in pleasure. When he’d finished, he rolled off her and lay panting beside her.
‘I’ll have bruises all over me,’ she complained, rubbing an arm.
‘They’ll soon disappear.’
‘If you sink your teeth into me like that, you’ll draw blood.’
‘I don’t see any.’
‘Why were you so rough with me?’
‘I needed to be,’ said Tunnadine as if it were explanation enough.
Lucinda had been his mistress for over a year now and had enjoyed the privileges that came with her position. He’d provided a house and servants for her. A generous allowance meant that she could afford a succession of new dresses and indulge herself in other ways. His visits were intermittent but he often brought lavish gifts for her. All that he’d given her this time were some painful memories. She nestled against him.
For his part, Tunnadine found her both enticing and accommodating. Lucinda was prepared to do everything that he demanded, whether it was to be as submissive as a nun or as vicious as a wild animal. She adapted to his moods more readily than any of his previous mistresses. It was the main reason that she’d lasted much longer than they did. He stroked her hair with an apologetic hand.
‘I’m sorry if I hurt you,’ he murmured.
‘We usually have champagne beforehand.’
‘I was in a hurry.’
‘You’ve no need to tell me that.’ She stroked his chest with the tips if her fingers. ‘Are you displeased with me?’
‘No, Lucinda.’
‘I felt as if I was being punished.’
‘You were not, I assure you.’
‘Has something happened to upset you?’
‘It’s no business of yours.’
‘I don’t like it when you’re unhappy.’
She waited for a reply that never came. Lucinda knew little of his life when he was not with her. The few facts she’d gathered had come from the newspapers. When parliament was in session, his name often cropped up in reports of debates. Though she had a studied indifference to politics, she nevertheless combed the press for any mention of him. It was from an article in a newspaper that she’d discovered he was about to be married. Though she’d never challenged him on the subject, she was increasingly worried about the consequences.
He moved her brusquely aside and got out of the bed.
‘I have to go,’ he announced.
‘But you’ve always stayed the night before.’
‘I’m too busy.’
‘I was right, wasn’t I?’ she said, sitting up. ‘Something has occurred. That’s why you’re behaving strangely.’
‘It’s not your place to make comments like that, Lucinda.’
‘Is it something to do with your marriage?’
His eyes blazed. ‘Who told you about that?’
‘I read it in a newspaper. Your future wife is the daughter of Sir Marcus Burnhope. You might have mentioned it to me.’
‘Hold your tongue!’ he roared. ‘It’s no concern of yours. I don’t want to hear another word about it. Is that understood?’
‘But I’m bound to wonder what will happen to me afterwards.’