Free No Mercy by Colin Forbes

something significant.'
    'As an opening gambit,' she suggested, 'you could call in at the Gantia plant where she works. We pass it on our way back to town. And make your dinner date with her at the same time,' she added tactfully.
    'Actually, I was thinking of that.'
    He had just spoken when they saw ahead a juggernaut parked on their side of the road. A red triangle in the road warned that the vehicle was disabled. Tweed stopped, waiting to ease his way safely round the huge vehicle.
    A sound of breaking glass. In the window alongside Tweed was a small hole.
    'A bullet,' said Tweed quickly.
    He eased his way round the stationary juggernaut, saw the road was clear, rammed his foot down. He kept up the speed for some distance, slowed, then pulled in close to the cover of a wayside cafe, sat back.
    'You're all right?' he asked.
    'Not a scratch. You OK, I hope.'
    'Yes.'
    'That same light aircraft which followed us down to Dartmoor reappeared before we bypassed Exeter.'
    'I know. What makes you think it's the same aircraft?'
    'It has a peculiar blue flash on its tail.'
    'Then I agree. It was the same pilot. We were stationary when the bullet hit. I suspect the gunman aimed to miss, a warning shot. Someone doesn't want us investigating those two murders. The question is, who?'

    10

    Inside a little-used phone box down a side street in Hammersmith, London, Charmian checked the list of phone numbers he had been supplied with by his mysterious employer.
    Charmian, French, was the top assassin in Europe. His unknown employer, M, had located him by making discreet enquiries on the exclusive grapevine in Soho. The first half of his large fee had been transmitted to his secret bank account in Zurich. He checked his watch. All calls to M were timed.
    He put his pilot's helmet, concealed in a carrier bag, on the floor. He checked his watch again, dialled the number. At the other end, wherever that might be, the receiver was lifted immediately.
    'Is that M?' he enquired in his near-perfect English.
    'M for mosque.'
    The -agreed code, which had been suggested to him, confirmed he was speaking to his unknown employer. He took a deep breath. The news he had to report was not good.
    'Just got back,' he reported. 'Landed at City Airport.'
    'Continue with your story.'
    Charmian could never tell whether the strange voice was that of a man or a woman. Must be speaking through a handkerchief.
    'I hijacked the juggernaut as planned. Flagged it down, then used chloroform as you suggested, concealed the driver inside a hedge by the side of A303. Took over vehicle, parked it at the selected point on the road. All right so far.'
    'I do not like the sound of this.'
    'Meantime,' Charmian continued in a rush, 'I returned to the plane, which I'd left on a nearby airfield. I spotted Tweed and his woman on their way back from Abbey Grange, close to the ambush point. Am I speaking clear?'
    'Just go on,' M ordered.
    'Tweed's car arrives at juggernaut roadblock. It stops, as we knew it would. I fired once. Missed target by millimetres. Tweed drives on very fast.'
    'You botched the job.'
    Botched? Charmian did not know the word. But he could guess its meaning. He decided it was best to say nothing.
    'You will kill Tweed as quickly as possible. Only then,' warned M, 'will the balance of the fee be transmitted.'
    The connection was broken. Charmian swore foully to himself in choice French. M had not sounded pleased. He had no way of knowing M was now worried. So early in the investigation Tweed was getting too warm. The reference to Abbey Grange proved that. Dangerously too close.

    11

    Tweed had decided it would be wise to linger at the wayside cafe. Inside, the well-furnished establishment was empty of other customers. He chose a table at the rear so they sat with their backs to the wall.
    A spotlessly clad waitress took their order when Paula pointed to a confection oozing cream inside a refrigerated container on the counter. Not normally her choice, but she