Free Vorpal Blade by Colin Forbes Page B

downstairs who can see into the future,' Newman mocked.
    Marler walked in as he spoke, wearing a new grey suit with a tiny check pattern, crisp white shirt, Chanel tie. He made his remark to Newman as he walked across to lean against the wall close to Paula, taking out a cigarette.
    'If she can see into the future maybe she can tell me next week's lottery numbers.'
    'She'll be a waste of time,' Newman replied, disgusted.

'Suspend judgement until we've seen her,' Tweed advised. 'Wheel her up, Monica.' All eyes turned to the door when Monica had left, wondering what apparition would arrive.

    Paula suppressed a gasp as Elena Brucan walked in. She was the lady she had seen across the road, watching the ACTIL building. Their visitor was small, probably no more than five feet tall, in her late fifties or early sixties. She was still clad in her pale green overcoat, her green fur hat. But it was her face which intrigued Tweed. A hint of the Slav in her well-moulded cheekbones despite a full face. Under thick dark eyebrows she had large observant almost black eyes above a strong nose, a wide mouth and a chin expressing character. Her smile was glowing and warm and she moved nimbly. There was something about her presence which created a hush in the room.
    Tweed, standing up with Newman, introduced her to Paula who was again surprised, this time by the firmness of her grip.
    'And this is Marler.'
    She walked closer to him, felt his suit. 'This is the first time it's ever been worn.'
    'True enough.'
    'You're a man of great kindness.'
    Behind their backs Newman stared at the ceiling in sheer disbelief. Paula on the other hand agreed with Elena. Marler, she knew, had helped many people in trouble, but by stealth. He never wanted anyone else to know.
    'Over there,' Marler said, indicating Newman, 'is a gangster.'
    Newman was clad in blue jeans, an open-necked shirt and a jacket he'd hastily put on before their visitor appeared. Elena went over to shake his hand, still smiling. She shook her head over her shoulder at Marler.
    'He could cope with gangsters. He's a formidable charac ter. But he's very human, a man of great honesty. I would trust him with my life.'
    'Do sit down,' Tweed urged her when she had shaken hands with Monica. He was anxious to hear if she had anything important to say. 'And please don't attempt to analyse my personality. I'd find it embarrassing in front of my staff. Now, Chief Superintendent Buchanan said you might have something to tell us.'
    'Many won't believe this but I was born with a gift for assessing people. Thank you, my dear,' she said to Monica who had handed her a cup of coffee. 'Early yesterday morning, probably before anyone arrived at the ACTIL building -I saw one individual arrive and unlock the doors - I felt I should wait there.'
    'Why?'
    'I don't know. I was just out for an early morning walk. I suppose I was caught by its strange shape, like an enormous drum with a cone perched on the top.'
    Tweed was undergoing a strange experience. Elena sat facing him, her glowing eyes never leaving his. He felt she was able to see right inside him. He held her gaze as he continued his gentle interrogation of this nice woman.
    'You saw the staff arrive?'
    'Yes. Sometimes in a group, sometimes individually. I do recall a very tall lady, very smartly dressed and beautiful, who moved quickly, very upright.'
    Marienetta, Tweed thought.
    'But there were so many people going in there.'
    'Excuse me,' Paula called out, 'you were taking pictures of some of them with your camera.'
    'Quite right. Miss Grey,' Elena agreed, turning round. 'But I took pictures of all of them.'
    'Including the Vice-President of America?' Tweed sug gested.
    'Oh, yes. I took several of him, both coming and going. I have all the developed prints in my handbag. I'll give them to you before I leave. It was while you were there that an unpleasant guard came over and told me to leave. He didn't know about my small camera hidden between my fur