The Greek Key by Colin Forbes Read Free Book Online

tomorrow.'
    'They are doing just that. I had a word with them on my way in. Let them have the first copy of the Siros file earliest.'
    He was sitting behind his desk when the door opened and Monica walked in. She waved reassuring hands as Paula jumped up. 'I'm all right. Better back in the front line than moping at home.' She went to her desk. 'Can I help?'
    'Yes,' said Tweed. 'Call the Yard. Superintendent Jack Richardson. Give him my best wishes. I need the home address of Chief Inspector Sam Partridge of Homicide, now retired.'
    'Before you phone,' he said as Monica sat behind her desk, 'I want you to react quickly to this question. One possibly important clue from Harry's cigar box. One single word. Ready? Endslation .'
    The name of some operation. Codename.'
    'Doesn't add up,' Paula intervened. 'It could have been the codename tor the raid on Siros. But there's no reference to any codename in the .file. Also, Harry wrote it on a British postcard. That points to Somerset.'
    She turned to Monica. 'Isn't all this pretty painful for you? You knew Harry well. Is it a good idea to come back yet?'
    'Anything I can do to track down the swine who killed him. I want to be a part of this. I'll call the Yard.' She reached for the phone.
    Tweed was heading for the door. 'Something else to pass on to Newman and Marler. Someone else is taking an interest in the Siros file. Partridge. What's the betting he's in Greece at this moment?'
    'Do you think it's a good idea Newman going to Athens with Marler?' Paula asked after Tweed had left the room. They seem to fight like cat and dog. Square up to each other on every issue. Bob is early forties, Marler barely thirty.'
    'And there, my dear, you have put your finger on it,' Monica assured her. 'They do scrap, I agree. But whereas Marler is quick off the mark, independent-minded - just the way Bob used to be until recently - Bob has become harder, tougher, wary. They could make an ideal combination once they're out there on their own. I think Tweed is banking on that.'
    'What changed Bob? Made him a hard man? After all he was an international foreign correspondent. Still is, if a story interests him.'
    'Ah, that was his experience behind the lines in East Germany when he went underground with a resistance group. A bitter, grim time, but he came through. Now, I'd better get on . . .'
    When Tweed walked briskly back into the room Monica was putting down the phone. She waited until he had sat behind his desk, scribbled a note on his tasks pad.
    'Did you know when you were at Scotland Yard they had a nickname for you? Quicksilver Tweed, they called you, according to Superintendent Richardson . . .'
    'A long time ago.' Tweed made a dismissive gesture. 'What about Partridge?'
    'I have his phone number at Cheam. Thought I'd call him when you got back.'
    'Yes, I'd like to talk to him personally.'
    Monica dialled a number. She had a brief conversation with someone, then put her hand over the mouthpiece.
    'Partridge isn't there. It's Mrs Partridge . . .'
    'I don't know whether you'll remember me,' Tweed began, using his own phone, 'my name is Tweed . . .'
    'I know you, it must be years . . .' She had a cultured voice. 'Sam worked with you at the Yard. We met once at a party. I recognize your voice . . .'
    'Sorry to bother you, but I need to speak with Sam urgently.'
    'He's not here, Mr Tweed. And I've no idea where he is . . .'
    Tweed frowned, detected a note of anxiety in her voice now.
    'Something wrong, Mrs Partridge? Why don't you know where he is?'
    'You know how Sam is. He can't retire gracefully. Too active, restless. He's investigating some old murder case. I am worried. Before he left he said something he's never said to me before.'
    'What was that?'
    'He warned me never to open the door to strangers. Especially if they looked to be foreigners. He even had a spyglass fitted in the front door before he dashed off.'
    'Dashed off where, if I may ask?'
    'I've no idea as I said earlier. He packed his