Free Cross of Fire by Colin Forbes Page B

were lovers.'
    'Not a bad idea - as far as I'm concerned. But I'm here for professional reasons. Behave? If I let you go?'
    'If I must.'
    She turned round and gave him a glowing smile, tears in her eyes. She collapsed with emotion, buried her head against his chest. He stroked her hair as she shook with relief, let her get it out of her system. She let go of him, ran to the sink, turned on the tap, splashed her face with huge quantities of cold water. Drying herself, she opened a drawer, took out a brush and attacked her mane with the aid of a mirror on the wall.
    When she had finished smartening her appearance, Newman pushed his mug of coffee over the island.
    I've had enough. The rest is yours.'
    She drank greedily, watching him over the rim as she had done in the Bar Rococo drinking wine. When she had emptied the mug she asked her question.
    'Who, then, do you think could have betrayed Henri - if he was doing something against the French state?'
    'Tell me why he chose to work in the Bar Miami.' Newman suggested, folding his arms, leaning against the island.
    'He never said. But I met him there often, sometimes sitting at a table while I waited for him to come off duty. A lot of French officers in the Army use that bar. I had the impression they interested him.'
    'He asked them questions?'
    'Sometimes, yes. Innocuous questions as though he was being companionable. Were they on leave? Things like that.' She frowned. 'I've just remembered something. Shortly before the two DST men arrested him he was serving two French lieutenants. I was out of sight but close. You know how in a crowded bar for no reason there is sometimes a brief hush in the conversation?'
    'I know exactly what you mean.'
    'That happened on that night. I heard one lieutenant tell his fellow officer he was with a specialist unit, that soon he'd be in Paris - and not on leave. Henri was intrigued by that remark.'
    'So am I. But how could you tell Henri was intrigued?'
    She looked wistful, had perched herself on a counter top, her long legs swinging.
    'Because by then I knew him well. His every little gesture. Henri was polishing a glass. He was very quick. When the lieutenant made that remark for a second Henri stopped polishing the glass, then polished it furiously.'
    'I see.'
    Newman saw more than that. He thought he'd learned how Carey had been detected. A trifle too much enthusiasm talking to officers, asking the odd question. Someone had reported his interest.
    'Let's go sit on the couch in the living room,' Isabelle suggested, her eyes smoky.
    Newman frowned as she switched off the kitchen light before opening the door, followed her. She seemed to be interested in him. Business and pleasure didn't mix - and he sensed that despite her outer poise she was in an emotional state. Little wonder after what he had put her through.
    He kept close to her to avoid furniture until he became accustomed to the dark. Isabelle wandered over to one of the tall windows, glanced down through the curtains, stiffened. Newman saw how her silhouette froze.
    'What is it?' he said and joined her quickly.
    'Those two men standing in that shop doorway. They are the DST men who took Henri away.'
    'How can you be sure?'
    'The way the tall one moves. He turned to the shorter man to say something. It is them, Robert. I may call you Robert?'
    Newman was staring down into the street. He knew the temperature outside was arctic, compounded by the wind- chill factor. So why should two men take up a position opposite the entrance to the apartment block? A couple of friends who had met by chance? Then they'd head for the nearest bar. Newman looked up and down the narrow street. Fifty yards away from where the men stood a solitary Renault was parked. The shorter of the waiting couple thrust gloved hands into the pockets of his wide-lapelled trenchcoat, huddled his shoulders, stared at the entrance opposite.
    'I know it's them,' Isabelle insisted. 'I was close to them when they came up to