Rhinoceros Read Online Free PDF Page B

alternately checked her mirror, gazed at the red light.
    'Green!' she prayed. 'For Christ's sake, turn green . . .'
    Skinny was coming closer and closer. The light obstinately remained at red. Skinny was now one car behind her, sidling forward fast. She still couldn't get her hand on the Beretta. In any case, that would be a disaster. If she did manage to shoot him it would be a police case, probably keeping her out of action for ages. Skinny was grinning now. Had his right hand under his windcheater.
    'Oh, please!'
    Skinny had now arrived at the rear of her car, his hand half outside the unzipped windcheater. She could see the triumph in his evil eyes, the look of devilish anticipation. The lights changed to amber, to green. The traffic surged forward and she surged with it. She had a glimpse of him caught up in the melee of traffic.
    'Run the bastard down,' she said aloud between her teeth.

    Lisa parked the car in an underground garage near the station. Carrying her case, she walked rapidly to Waterloo, confident she had lost them. The large concourse was a swirl of people, hurrying to work after leaving their trains, which suited her. You were easily lost in a crowd.
    Spotting a row of phone booths, she went inside one that had empty booths on both sides. Her first call was to the car hire company. She told them where she'd parked the car, that she wouldn't need it again. They'll be happy, she thought as she prepared to make another call - she had paid for another two weeks' hire.
    Taking out the card Tweed had given her from her handbag, she pressed numbers. A woman's voice answered. She spoke quickly.
    'This is Lisa Trent. I need to speak to Mr Tweed. I met him at a party. He told me to call him so we could meet urgently.'
    'I'm sorry, but Mi Tweed is out of the office keeping an appointment. He may not be back for a while.'
    'In that case could I speak to Paula Grey? I met her at the same time.'
    'I am sorry about this. Miss Grey accompanied Mr Tweed to the same appointment. Could you give me a message?' Monica suggested.
    'Not really. It is Mr Tweed I have to talk to. I'll call back later in the day. Please tell him I phoned because I know he'll want to see me . . .'
    Lisa put down the phone and turned round, then froze. Eyebrows and Skinny were marching purposefully across the concourse. They were heading in her direction.

    Monica was typing furiously on her word processor when Harry Butler came into the room, parked himself on the arm of a chair. He removed the scarf that had protected him from the bitter cold outside.
    'Well, Monica, I've put the hatchback in for repair. Took it to a pal who won't be reporting to the police the bullet holes in the windows. Tweed didn't want that. My car was just too far behind them for me to spot the old bus - otherwise I'd have nabbed the killers. What are you typing?'
    'Tweed's report on the so-called suicide of Jeremy Mordaunt.' She had removed her earpiece. 'He dictated it on to the recorder, said he can think more quickly using the machine. Want to hear his verdict?'
    'Guess you'll tell me anyway.'
    Butler was a short man with wide shoulders, a man of great physical strength. He had a round head and an expressionless face. Normally he used words frugally, as though they were money.
    'Tweed has no doubt Mordaunt was murdered. He dismisses the idea that he committed suicide as ludi crous. Why does the phone always go when I'm explaining something?'
    'General & Cumbria Assurance . . .' She began. 'Oh, it's you. Professor Saafeld. I'm afraid Tweed is out but he's anxious to have your report on the autopsy . . .'
    'Is that Monica?' the abrupt voice asked. 'My report is now ready - several copies.'
    'I'll send a courier over to collect them immediately.' She hesitated. 'Can you give me an inkling of your con clusion?'
    'Cold-blooded murder. Not a shadow of a doubt. The report has technical data. That's what I'll say at the inquest.'
    He broke the connection and Monica used the phone