Distant Annihilation. (Tarquin Collingwood Adventures Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

immaculately attired: military dress uniforms, national dresses for the odd African or Arab, white tie or black tie for the rest. The women looked sensational as they glided around the room in ball gowns and jewels with their hair splendidly coiffeured. It was an effort not to be distracted when there was such an abundance of beauty. Just then a waiter passed me with a tray, he stopped and I duly took a glass of champagne. I took a sip. It was at room temperature; a trifle too dry for my tastes but quite acceptable.
    An attendant approached, “Sir may I introduce you to the German Ambassador”, he smiled and gestured for me too follow him, “Your invitation card please”, he requested.
    “Yes I suspected as much, you are Captain Collingwood”, he said before returning my card.
    He took me to one side of the room where a small group of guests had lined up and were being presented to the ambassador. In a moment it was my turn.
    “Herr Kap itain Collingwood aus Grosse Brittanien,” an official standing a couple of feet away attired in some liveried outfit announced.
    “Good evening Captain . I trust you enjoy your time in Moscow,” the distinguished looking ambassador greeted me in excellent English with a slight Teutonic accent, as we shook hands.
     
    Moments later I was standing to one side of the room having just enjoyed a delectable canapé. I sipped champagne and glanced across the ballroom wondering what the devil I was doing here. Just then a fellow appeared in front of me from my left. He was tall, ruddy cheeked, wearing black tie about 50 years old.
    “Excuse me,” he said rather apprehensively, “Is your name Collingwood?”
    He spoke in an unmistakably English accent.
    I straightened up and cleared my throat, “Yes”, I replied attempting to sound emphatic.
    “How do you do I’m Guy Worthington. Welcome to Moscow. I trust you had a good flight?”
    “Yes thank you Mr Worthington. I wasn’t expecting to meet you until tomorrow.”
    “Please call me Guy. I thought this party was too good an opportunity to pass up, so I arranged an invitation for you,” he explained as we shook hands with enthusiasm.
    I relaxed, “These Germans have put on quite an impressive s how,” I said.
    “Yes. The new German ambassador is quite a social animal. He wants to get himself known to the diplomatic community. There ’s no better way than throwing a party,” Guy confided.
    The small talk had broken the ice so I dived in, “What has Edward told you?”
    Guy gestured for me to move towards my right a couple of paces, out of earshot of anyone else. A waiter passed and Guy helped himself to a flute of champagne. He looked over his glass as he sipped and looked straight ahead and surveyed the room with the all authority of a Professor in a common room. Then he turned towards me.
    “Well............I think he’s told me everything. My understanding is that you ’re here to avenge Andrew Sinclair’s death.”
    “I am here to get some justice for Andrew,” I corrected , “Can you help me?”
    “Difficult.......question,” He mused whilst savouring his champagne, pondered and then finally said, “But quite possibly. I must confess to being rather bemused when Edward told me you were coming to Moscow,” he reflected languorously, “Are you quite sure you know what you’ve let yourself in for?”
    “Perhaps you should tell me,” I encouraged.
    Guy cleared his throat, “If you do try and discover the identity of those who killed your friend and bring them to justice, whatever that may mean in this country,” he said derisively, “it is not inconceivable that they will have no qualms in......” he paused for effect, “stopping you. You should understand Mr Collingwood that once you embark upon this course of action there is no turning back. You either do this wholeheartedly and see it through to its conclusion regardless of the dangers, in which case I shall do everything I can for you. If however you