Counterpoint Read Online Free PDF Page B

into
the rucksacks, and Philippe’s briefcase in a large carrier bag,
they left the shop hand in hand. To any onlookers, they were
apparently chatting enthusiastically about their holiday.
    At the first hotel they came to, they
booked in as a couple in Max’s surname. They filled out the usual
forms and passport details. Having explained their breakdown, and
they had to see the police at once, the hotel took photocopies of
their passports and handed them back.
    Along the street from the hotel was a
small house offering bed and breakfast, Max was amazed when Carla
walked in and booked the room.
    Formalities were non-existent, only
cash was needed, in advance.
    They went to the room; a small and
rather dirty place sparsely furnished with a sagging double bed, a
dressing table, and a carved antique chair. Sanitary facilities
were at the end of the passage overlooking the back yard.
    Carla said, “We must split up now, I
have things to do and you must see the police. They do not need to
know about me, or the fact people are after us. Here is some money
to cover fines and smooth out any irregularities.”
    She also wrote down the name and
address of the garage and who to talk to and said. “Pay them a good
deposit for repairs and don’t mention this place, say we are at the
hotel. I will see you here in four hours. The men who are after us
will be watching the garage, so go with the Police.”
    “Where the hell are you going?”
Exclaimed Max.
    “Don’t worry, I will be back, and I
promise I will explain everything then. Trust me!”
    “Where have I heard that before?” Said
Max to himself.
    Carla left.
    Max sorted things out with the Police
and phoned the garage, telling them there was a cash deposit, held
at the hotel in their name, could they collect it.
    At 10.00am, he decided to have a coffee
to kill the remaining half hour before meeting Carla, so he chose a
small cafe, just opposite a Bank. He went to a table near the
window, and sat facing the street.
    Although he was extremely hot and seats
were available outside, he did not want to push his luck and be
seen by his pursuers. He realized they had not had a good look at
him and that he had changed his clothes, but better safe than
sorry.
    He was just taking his first sip when
Carla sidestepped into the Bank. A curious move if analysed. Max
knew how she had this knack of invisibility, but to anyone else, it
would not have been noticed.
    Close behind, moving furtively, was the
man who stood by the red car, the one with the gun. Hell! What
should he do! Another man went into the bank, after glancing around
him. I bet that is another of them thought Max.
    Max walked over to the counter and
whispered to the waiter. “I think there is a robbery taking place
in the Bank, phone the police.”
    The man hesitated. “They had guns when
they went in,” Max urged. The man picked up the phone and spoke to
the police. A few minutes later, police on foot and in cars had
encircled the building. No one had left the Bank or could enter
since the call to the police.
    Armed Police entered the Bank.
    Thirty minutes later, people were
escorted out and went on their way. Carla was one of them; she was
the last to leave. The two men had been arrested and taken out the
back entrance for attempted armed robbery, because they both
carried guns, and were known felons.
    Max decided to follow Carla, no easy
task because she was checking for a tail all the time. He thought
it unwise to get closer than 10 metres and to keep other people in
between them. In general, she was heading back to the house, so he
felt sure if he lost her, he would see her again there.
    Max stumbled, looked down and back at
her, but she had vanished. “Damn! How does she do that?” He walked
on looking all around to see if he could pick up her trail, but no,
she had disappeared.
    He reached the house and found the room
empty, she had not returned. The rucksacks were still on the bed
where they had left them. Max