No Mercy Read Online Free PDF Page B

a blaze of lights from ancient wall lamps inside stood the figure of a tall young man. He had neatly brushed dark hair and was smiling. Paula liked the look of him at first sight. The smile vanished and was replaced by a look of astonishment.
    'Michael,' he said, 'what the devil happened to you? Been away over three months this time.'

    6

    Tweed stood stock still. He gazed intently into the spacious hall with an oak-beamed ceiling and wall-to-wall fitted carpet. Michael walked straight past the man who had opened the door and headed for a wide straight staircase with wooden steps which climbed up to a landing.
    At the foot of the stairs Michael paused. He placed his right hand on the top of a wooden upright carved with a man's head. After standing still for a short time he marched up the stairs, reached the top, turned right and vanished. They heard the sound of a key turning in a lock, the creak of a door opening, closing, being relocked. The younger man - younger-looking than Michael — shrugged, smiled.
    'He's gone straight up to his bedroom, locked himself in. He always locks himself inside. Never said one damned word to me.' He looked at Paula. 'Excuse me. Come inside, both of you. This is a surprise. Let me take your coat.'
    As Paula started to remove her coat he came behind her and took hold of it. She waited for his hands to touch her, a trick of so many men. The hands never touched her. Then he was taking Tweed's coat, putting them away in a deep cupboard.
    'I fear we're intruding . . .' Tweed began.
    'Not at all. I'm Larry Voles. Maybe you can tell me something about Michael, that is if you want to.'
    'Is there somewhere more private we could talk?' 'In my study. Are you hungry? I'm sure you are. The lady is, I suspect.' Another welcoming smile. 'You're just in time for a late supper.'
    A door to the right of the hall swung open. A short, heavily built woman with a hard expression appeared. She was almost fat but Paula detected strength in the bare arms exposed beneath her apron. She glared.
    'I'm preparing supper,' she growled. 'Is that three more I should provide meals for?'
    'Yes, it is, Mrs Brogan,' Larry said cheerfully. 'Timing must be perfect for you.'
    'Some might call it that,' she growled again.
    Her expression was hostile. Probably always would be, Paula was thinking. Her hair was grey, long and thick, tied back with a black ribbon. Her eyes were small and penetrating above a pugnacious nose. The mouth was thin- lipped and revealed small sharp teeth. Her hands were large and below the apron she wore a black skirt over large strong legs clad in black stockings. She left, closing the door with a bang.
    'This way,' Larry invited, opening a door on the left into a comfortable study with a roaring log fire.
    'We should have introduced ourselves,' said Tweed. He showed Larry his folder. 'I'm Tweed. This is Paula Grey, my highly trusted assistant.'
    'I would have guessed that. She radiates competence. Now, what are you going to have to drink? It must have been beastly on the moor. I'm joining you.'
    'Thank you Mr Voles . . .' Paula began.
    'Larry, please. Now what is your tipple?'
    'A gin and tonic for me.'
    'Think I could do with a neat brandy,' Tweed decided.
    Larry had perched Paula in a comfortable armchair next to the fire with Tweed facing her. Paula studied Larry as he fixed drinks from a cocktail cabinet placed against a wall. He must be in his thirties, she decided. Well built but slim, about six feet tall. His movements were nimble, his face of a good colour. He had a high forehead, startling blue eyes and a prominent well-shaped nose. His mouth and jaw were strong without suggesting aggression. He handed round the drinks, giving himself a strong neat Scotch, hauled a chair and sat between them.
    'I'd better tell you about Michael,' Tweed began.
    He described how a police officer had found him seated on a Whitehall step. No mention of what he had said at the Yard. Larry lit a cigarette, listened