No Mercy by Colin Forbes Read Free Book Online

young ones these days have only one idea when meeting a woman, and no intellect. May I call you Paula? Mr Tweed has been talking about you. Oh God! Here comes that awful man with the coffee.'
    Tarvin was approaching them with cups and a silver pot. He moved slowly in his white coat, a spotless cloth folded over his arm. He padded towards them, eyes down, with a deliberate tread. Paula found his way of moving disturbing, more like an animal prowling.
    'Black for me, please,' Paula said before he could speak.
    'Me too,' chimed in Lucinda in her clear musical voice.
    As he poured the coffee Tarvin's eyes suddenly gazed straight down at Paula. He gave her a cold searching look as though he were staring at a brick wall, the eyes weighing her up for some future purpose. Lucinda produced a gold cigarette case, inserted a cigarette in a long black holder, lit it with a jewelled lighter, avoiding giving Tarvin a glance.
    'I find that man creepy,' she said when they were alone again. 'In fact I find the whole staff here strange. I've asked Larry to change them but he simply waves a hand, says the servant problem is not one he's involving himself in.'
    As she sipped her coffee Paula was studying Lucinda. In her early thirties, she had a good figure, emphasized by the close-fitting gold evening dress, the wide belt round her slim waist. Her eyes were almost lapis-lazuli, which made her even more striking. But it was her vitality that intrigued Paula most.
    'I don't like Tarvin either,' Paula commented. 'Do you live here, then?'
    'Heavens no. I have a flat near Baker Street.' She sat back and her personality changed dramatically. She held her neck high, her expression became serious. 'I have a job with Gantia's plant near Basingstoke. I'm the security director. This is just a flying visit.'
    Paula realized she had misjudged Lucinda. Thinking she was talking to a socialite whose main interest was probably an endless programme of night-time parties, she was instead facing a formidable woman who wouldn't stand any nonsense.
    'I'm impressed,' Paula said.
    'No, you're surprised. You thought I was a playgirl. Well, I like to enjoy myself now and again, but my job conies first. Drago, Uncle that is, laughed aloud when I applied to him for the post which had become vacant. So I told him for a year I'd worked my back off training at Medford's. As I'm sure you know, Paula, Medford's is the top security outfit in London. I produced a glowing reference from their director, shoved it into Drago's hand and said, "Read that, then - and I'm not the sort of person who appreciates ridicule." To cut a long story short, he hired me on six months' probation. That was two years ago.'
    'Good for you. I've had the impression Drago is rather an overwhelming sort of person.'
    'He is. If you let him be. I don't.'
    Tweed, who had been talking to Larry in the secluded nook, appeared. He laid a hand on Lucinda's bare shoulder. She looked up, smiled.
    'Yes?'
    'We've exchanged cards so we know how to get in touch. As soon as I can after returning to London.'
    'Do that thing,' Lucinda replied crisply.
    'I think it might be as well if Paula got to bed. She's had a rather unusual day. See you, Lucinda.'
    Larry came over to say goodnight. 'You each have a room at the front overlooking the moor. Mr Tweed has the numbers. Sleep well.'
    'Does Larry accept that Michael has amnesia?' Paula asked as they walked together into a deserted hall. 'And does Lucinda know?'
    'Wait until we get upstairs. Larry's insisted we stay here for the night.'
    'And what are you up to - with Lucinda? Or shouldn't I ask?'
    'Wait until we get to our rooms. I'm very worried about this whole Dartmoor business.'

    7

    At the top of the stairs they turned right, as Larry had told Tweed. The wide hall was long, ill-lit by a few lanterns attached to the walls. A gloomy atmosphere. Tweed gave Paula a large key, holding another in the other hand.
    'We're rooms 16 and 17. Next to each other. I'm glad both rooms