Dark Justice by Jack Higgins Read Free Book Online

population. How can you tell the difference?"
    "Mao Tse-tung invented that strategy years ago, and it eventually won him China," Dillon pointed out.
    "I've got something else for you, recently pulled out of my printer." Roper handed three photos across. "Greta Novikova. Supposed to be a secretary at the Russian Embassy, but in reality a major in the GRU. Used to be Ashimov's girlfriend. Neat coincidence, her being assigned to London, isn't it?"
    "Quite a lady," Dillon said admiringly. He slipped a copy into his breast pocket. "Maybe I'll run into her."
    Hannah's mobile went, she answered and listened. "Fine, we'll be there." She turned to Ferguson. "Professor Langley, sir. He can give us a preliminary."
    "Excellent," Ferguson said. "You hang in there, Major. I'll keep you informed."
    They filed into Ferguson's Daimler, and as it moved away, Greta Novikova eased out in her Opel and went after them.
    George Langley was a small, gray-haired energetic man whom they had all met in the pursuance of previous cases. Many people considered him the greatest forensic pathologist in London, and not much escaped him.
    The Peel Street Morgue was an old building, some of it Victorian, but the interior was modern enough. A receptionist led them into a white-tiled room with fluorescent lighting and modern steel operating tables. Mrs. Morgan lay on one of them. The wounds from her examination had been stitched up.
    "My God, I never get used to this part," Hannah said softly.
    Langley came in from the preparation room in shirtsleeves, drying his hands on a towel.
    "Ah, there you are, Charles."
    "Good of you to be so quick off the mark, George. What have you got for me?"
    "Death by drowning. No suggestion of foul play. Strangely enough, no bruising. On the other hand, she was as light as a feather. Very undernourished. Her previous medical history isn't good. The car accident, which reduced her to the wheelchair, was very grave. I've checked the records. I've also checked with her GP, and she was being treated for Alzheimer's."
    "So that's it?"
    "I'd say so. It's interesting that the man who found her, Patel, speaks of these minor accidents she suffered in the wheelchair. I notice a report by the scene-of-crime sergeant who went to see the imam at Queen Street . Sounded most distressed, said he'd implored her many times not to venture out alone, and usually sent someone to escort her."
    "Which still leaves us wondering what she was doing at the end of the jetty," Dillon said.
    "I've had a quick look. Nothing out of the ordinary. The Alzheimer's would make her subject to confusion, memory loss, considerable general stress. If she turned right, she'd turn the corner for the Queen Street Mosque; if she turned left, she'd find herself on the jetty and only a few yards to the steps." He didn't even frown when he said, "Are you looking for suspicious circumstances here, Charles? You usually are."
    "No, no. It's an unrelated matter."
    "Unrelated, huh? Which brings you hotfoot, plus the Superintendent and Dillon? Highly unlikely, I'd have thought. However, I can't help you with this one and I've other things to do. I'll be on my way."
    They left and walked to the Daimler. Ferguson paused, frowning, and said to Dillon, "What's that you usually say? About making it a we-know-that-they-know-and-they-know-that-we-know situation?"
    "I'd say you mean you want Dr. Ali Selim pushed a little."
    "Exactly. I'll leave it to you. Blake's at the American Embassy at the moment. We'll all catch up later."
    "Don't you think I should provide a police presence for Selim, sir?" Hannah asked.
    "No. Some things require the Dillon touch, Superintendent."
    They got in and drove away. Dillon said, "You've noticed the Opel sedan trailing us?"
    "Absolutely. Don't forget to find out who it is."
    Ferguson dropped him off. Hannah was not pleased, and Dillon leaned down to her through the open window. "Keep the faith, love."
    "Well, you keep your fists in your pockets."
    The rain