Free No Mercy by Colin Forbes Page B

that's considerate of you. Ken can show you to our staff restaurant. Have a full meal by all means. It will be on the house.'
    The elevator glided smoothly to the first floor. Lucinda stepped out briskly, escorted Tweed to her office. The room overlooking the front was tastefully furnished but still had the atmosphere of a working office. On the walls were colour prints of paintings by Gauguin, Matisse and other French artists. She gestured to a large couch, suggested coffee, which he refused.
    'I'm a caffeine addict,' she remarked as she filled a cup from a pot, adding milk. The chinaware was Wedgwood. She settled down beside him, put the cup and saucer on a table, turned to him and smiled warmly.
    'Fire away. I presume this is an interrogation.'
    'I prefer the word "conversation". First, could you tell me the present location of Drago Volkanian? I had hoped to meet him at Abbey Grange.'
    'New Orleans. At least he was. When he gets back he's going to want to see you. He pounces on any new development - if that isn't too callous considering someone's skeleton was found on the moor. Oh, I went up to see Michael in his room. A disturbing experience. He didn't recognize me. Also never said a word. His eyes look strange, so does his face. How long will this amnesia last?'
    She spoke at speed, her mind embracing several topics. Her articulation was perfect and Tweed again liked her soft voice. She had turned on the couch so she faced him, her knee almost touching his thigh.
    'As regards the amnesia, two psychiatrists have had him under their care. The first — and best - one is a Bella Ashton.' He reached into his top pocket, took out Ashton's card, gave it to her. 'You can mention my name. It might help.'
    Lucinda reached for a notepad and Mont Blanc pen on the table. She wrote down the details swiftly in an elegant script, gave him back the card and thanked him.
    'As regards how long his condition will last, Ashton will confirm it's impossible to say. Incidentally, under his hair on the right side of his head there's an old wound. It's been suggested he was either struck a heavy blow or even fell down in London. Which might just be the cause of his complete loss of memory.'
    'A doctor.' she said briskly. 'Even a specialist. Should we contact one?'
    'Up to you. I suspect it will be a waste of time. He was checked by a doctor in London. Time - duration unknown -will be the healer.'
    'My uncle, Drago, will want to hear all this from you.'
    'You could tell him what I've explained.'
    'No way.' She tucked back a blonde curl from her face. 'Drago will want it straight from the horse's mouth.' She grinned. 'If you'll excuse the phrase. Drago won't accept second-hand data. Even from me.' She removed her scarf, revealing a string of coloured beads which she took off, dropped them on the table. 'My worry beads.'
    'So you do worry? Even though you never show signs of it?'
    'Only occasionally. When under very heavy pressure. You will find Drago,' she went on, 'a very formidable personality.' She laid a hand on his and squeezed it. 'But you'll cope.'
    'Well, this is the food depot. Where is the armaments factory located?'
    'Ah!' She smiled again. 'That's a secret I can't tell you. If I did I'd be sacked overnight by Drago. Really.'
    'I gather it's Larry who runs this outfit.'
    'Managing director. Since two years ago. It was a toss-up between him and Michael. But Michael said he didn't want the job. He likes being sales director, travelling abroad.'
    'How long is he away on these sales trips?'
    'Anything up to three months, even longer. Drago complains at times because Michael won't send any reports back. He waits until he has at least two big deals sewn up tightly. Often more. He insists that's the only way he can work.'
    'So,' Tweed said slowly, 'when you didn't hear from him for just about three months you assumed he was abroad. Is that right?'
    'Absolutely.' Her hand pressed his again. 'You know I'm getting the impression this is a subtle