Free The Main Chance by Colin Forbes Page B

hands.
    `You two can talk later,' Tweed said firmly. 'Don't imagine you know the complex route to Hengistbury?' he said to the Professor. 'Thought not. So I'll lead the way with Paula in her red Porsche. You follow in your Rolls. Bob, you'll keep behind the Rolls, bringing the team in your Merc. Now we move.
    As they turned out of Park Crescent with the Rolls behind them Tweed issued his warning.
    `Paula, Saafeld drives his Rolls at a stately speed, as he should. So time your speed to his.'
    `I had already thought of that,' she chastised him. 'If you like you can take over driving this dynamo. Now I'm wondering what horror we'll see at Hengistbury.'

    10

    `I phoned Shape before we started out,' Paula said.
    She had just stopped her Porsche when the tall wrought-iron gates swung inwards. She drove slowly down the drive with the stately Rolls following and Newman's Mercedes bringing up the rear.
    `I have the oddest feeling I'm in a dream,' she remarked. 'I suppose it's because we were here so recently.'
    Parking near the steps leading up to the terrace, she jumped out to where Saafeld had briskly leapt out with his bag in one hand. Of medium height and in his mid- fifties the pathologist had a shock of white hair, was clean shaven. Below his well-shaped forehead his eyebrows were thick and white, but it was the penetrating grey-blue eyes which attracted attention. His nose was long above a strong wide mouth and the jaw had a pugnacious look, although he was the least aggressive of men except when dealing with fools.
    They trooped up the steps and Snape was there to greet them. He smirked and as they entered, Marshal Main, wearing a black suit with a black tie, held out a hand, smiling unctuously. Tweed made a mental note for later that neither man appeared in the least distressed.
    Tweed made introductions briefly. From nowhere Chief Inspector Hammer appeared, an even more bulky figure than Paula recalled. His aggressive features appeared even more domineering.
    `I'll take you up to where she is, Professor,' he smarmed.
    `Has the body been touched by anyone at all?' Saafeld demanded.
    `Of course not, sir,' Hammer said with a trace of indignation.
    `You are quite sure about that?' Saafeld snapped. `It's my job... sir,' Hammer replied sullenly. 'This way.'
    `I would prefer Mr Tweed took me up. Staircase, first floor?'
    It was obvious Saafeld had taken an instant dislike to the chief inspector. Which was unusual, Tweed noted, since the Professor rarely showed his reaction to anybody. He led the way across the hall. At the side of the staircase; seated in a hard-backed chair, was Lavinia.
    She wore a black dress, underneath which was a white blouse with a ruffled collar. Perfect, Tweed thought, she had not overdone the mourning. He smiled at her and let it go at that.
    Saafeld walked quickly, alongside Tweed, while Paula followed them. When they entered the library adjoining the study they found it was occupied by four paramedics in white coats, all standing. Saafeld gestured towards them.
    `I arranged for this squad to come here from Leaminster, which is closer to this mansion,' he
    explained to Tweed_ 'They know the way to my place at Holland Park but I'll guide them in my Rolls.'
    There were four other men, uniformed policemen. Two had large cameras slung round their necks, the third carried a briefcase. One of the fingerprint experts, Paula assumed. At that moment the study door was opened from the inside and Sergeant Warden, Buchanan's personal assistant, stood in the opening. Paula was surprised. She hadn't seen him for a long time. Buchanan had moved very fast to get this technical team here already. And so had Saafeld, arranging for the paramedics to arrive from Leaminster.
    Warden, clad in a business suit, as always had a wooden expression and stood very erect. He addressed Tweed as he spoke.
    `Since I arrived no one except myself has entered the study. May I show you in, sir?'
    `If I may suggest it,' Saafeld said kindly,