The Greek Key Read Online Free PDF Page A

shufti.'
    Tweed studied the opened sheet. Harry's distinctive writing. MOD. Brigadier Willie Davies. Ministry of Defence. Harry had visited the place, presumably before he flew to Greece, maybe even before he'd driven down to Somerset. There were two more words written on the sheet of paper. Somerset Levels .
    Tweed felt a prickling of the hairs at the back of his neck, an unreasoned sense of foreboding. He became aware that Marler and Monica were watching him.
    'Something's wrong,' said Monica.
    'I hope not.' He passed the sheet to her. 'I don't think we've told you yet, Marler, that Brigadier Davies is our most friendly contact at the Ministry of Defence. He's also a member of the same club as Harry. They were close.'
    'Chums, you mean?' Marler enquired. 'As well as a professional relationship? This business is getting a bit weird. So many strands. And what the deuce is - are - the Somerset Levels?'
    'One of the most benighted and lonely spots in England. The area between Taunton and Glastonbury where they dig peat. In the time of Charles the First the sea used to flood in. Now they have constructed waterways - they look like canals. It is like a bleak marshland. I don't understand any of this - too many strands, as you said.'
    He stood up and walked over to the window, it had stopped raining. Now they had May sunshine. The pavements were drying out, leaving damp patches. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back. He was, Monica knew, on the verge of taking a decision.
    'I want Harry recalled from Greece immediately. Isn't his deputy for Greece, Patterson, at the British Embassy?'
    'Yes,' said Monica promptly. 'Harry appointed him a couple of months ago. Patterson speaks Greek and has travelled widely in the archipelago. You're assuming Harry contacted him after he reached Athens.'
    'Which he probably didn't,' Marler commented. 'Running his own investigation unofficially, he'd play it close to the chest. Why the MOD? Or again was it something the Greek girl told him? Incidentally, Monica, what made you so sure she was Greek?'
    'When he stopped me he said something in a foreign language. She looked annoyed. Then Harry said, 'The Greeks always have a word for it.' Looking back, I almost think he was sending me a signal.'
    'Fair do's,' Marler agreed. 'She is Greek.'
    'And now,' Tweed said impatiently as he returned to his swivel chair, 'I want that call made to Athens recalling Harry. A direct order. He's to return instantly, the moment they locate him.'
    Monica was reaching for her phone when it began to ring as a raven-haired girl with good bone structure came into the office. Marler jumped up, grinned, offered Paula Grey, Tweed's assistant, his chair. He spread his hands, adopted a theatrical pose.
    'Lothario offers you his comfortable seat. How is it you look more ravishing every time I see you?'
    'Flannel,' rapped back Paula. 'You think I haven't heard all about your women?'
    She was crossing her legs when she stiffened. She was looking at Monica who had been talking on the phone. In a broken voice Monica nodded to Tweed to lift his receiver.
    'Athens on the line . . . Larry Patterson for you.'
    Tweed grabbed up his receiver. It became very silent and still in the office. They watched Tweed whose expression had become poker-faced. In a quiet controlled voice he asked several terse questions, said, 'Yes, of course,' five times, thanked Patterson for calling and replaced the receiver. Leaning across his desk, he clasped his hands, gazed at them and spoke in a monotone.
    'There is no easy way to break this type of news. Harry Masterson is dead. He was found today at the base of some cliff called Cape Sounion. I gather it is some distance southeast of Athens. The cliff is very sheer and is three hundred feet high. They will be flying the body home.'
    'Oh dear God, no! Not Harry
    It was Monica who burst out like a stricken animal. Her eyes filled with tears. Paula jumped up, put an arm round her and helped her to her feet