Lair by James Herbert Read Free Book Online Page B

briefed him on the Centre before Pender had left, explaining that the Warden, as the principal was ominously called, and his tutors were resident at the establishment. Trees loomed up darkly behind the Centre, dwarfing the buildings, making them seem more squat than they really were. He crossed the lawn, keeping to the gravel path, and entered the reception area.

    The rectangular hall was cluttered with single-panelled exhibition stands displaying pictures of various animals and plants, accompanied by written information on each subject. The area was empty but there was a reception window to his right. He peered into the room beyond; a woman was at one end typing busily and a man sat reading a book at a table nearest the window. The man, youngish, intense-looking, glanced up at Fender.

    "Yes, sir, can I help?" he asked.

    "My name's Fender. I've come to see Mr. Milton." Fender had learned to be discreet about his profession: people were still nervous of rat catchers

    "Oh yes. From Ratkill, aren't you?"

    Fender lifted his eyebrows in surprise.

    The man grinned as he got up from the desk and came over to the window.
    "It's all right, there's no secrets among the staff. I'll just see if he's in his office."

    The young man disappeared through a door and reappeared a few seconds later.

    'Yes, he's there. If you'd like to go through the door round to your right, I'll take you to his office."

    Fender followed the instructions and was met in the corridor beyond.

    "I'm not sure we really need you people," the young man said as he led the way. We've seen signs of vermin, but they haven't done any bad damage yet. It's just the uh, law, you know?"

    Fender nodded and went through the door which had been opened for him.
    The Warden of the Conservation Centre stood and offered his hand across the desk as Fender entered.

    "Mr. Fender? I'm Alex Milton. Didn't take Ratkill long to get someone up here, did it?"

    Fender shook the proffered hand and sat in the seat opposite.

    Thank you, Will," Milton said to the man at the door. "I'll see you about the arrangements for tonight's lecture a little later on. Would you like some coffee, Mr. Fender?"

    The rat catcher felt like something stronger after the wearing drive, but he smiled and said, "Coffee'll be fine."

    Would you mind asking Jan for me, Will?"

    "Right." Will closed the door behind him.

    The two men faced each other across the desk, Milton smiling and slouched back in his seat. He seemed to have forgotten why Fender was there.

    "Interesting place you have here," the Ratkill man said, breaking the silence.

    "Yes, it is," the Warden agreed enthusiastically.

    "Have you been here long as Warden?"

    Milton thought for a moment, his smile still beaming. "Just over two years, I think. The Centre itself the Epping Forest Conservation Centre, to give it its full title was only opened nine years ago, so it's still in its youth." He gave a small almost embarrassed laugh.
    "In fact, most of my staff are rather youthful apart from myself and my wife, of course."

    Fender nodded politely, smiling at the man's self-deprecating humour.
    He hoped the Warden would soon get to the business in hand. Tell me about your rodent problem," he prompted.

    "Oh yes. Mustn't waste your time." The Warden leaned forward, elbows on the desk, his face serious and his tones hushed. "It started a couple of days ago, actually. Nothing much, just signs, you understand."

    "What kind of signs?"

    Well..." A light tap at the door interrupted the Warden's next words.
    "Yes, come in," he called out.

    The door opened and a small, thin girl, clad in jeans and sweater, entered the room. She carried a tray bearing two coffees, milk and sugar, which she placed on the Warden's desk.

    This is Jan," said Milton and the girl pushed her gold-framed glasses back towards the bridge of her nose, giving Fender a nervous smile.

    "Jan saves our lives every day by cooking our meals and providing us with gallons of coffee,"