The Main Chance Read Online Free PDF

forensic accountant. So is Crystal, who assists her. Now, Mr Tweed, you have an overall picture, so can't I persuade you to come and live here as Chief Administrator, with total power? Paula would be most welcome as your assistant.'
    `Again, I appreciate the compliment.' Tweed had stood up. 'I am dedicated to the position I hold now. I am sorry.'
    `So am I.' Bella rose from behind her desk to escort them to the door. She pointed to the portraits of the two men who had originally founded the bank.
    `I couldn't stand having them staring at me in my study. You won't think again about my offer? Mrs Grandy has prepared two large suites which interconnect...'
    `Mrs Grandy?'
    `Our tyrant of a housekeeper. Outspoken too, but so reliable. I do need you, Mr Tweed, to come and protect our treasure.'
    She hugged Tweed, then turned to Paula and hugged her. When Snape appeared to escort them to the lift Tweed walked quickly towards him, followed closely by Paula. When the panel doors opened Tweed walked with Paula to the open door into the library. They were greeted by Leo shouting viciously, 'I'll kill you.'
    All the family were there. Crystal stood calmly as Leo rushed at her brandishing a knife. She kicked him hard on the leg. He yelled with pain, fell down. Warner appeared, pressed both hands on his shoulders as he slowly clambered upright. Quietly he ordered Leo to his room. Leo limped towards the lift.
    They made a point of shaking hands with everyone. As he reached Snape Tweed smiled as he spoke. `I'm afraid we shan't be coming to protect your treasure, as Mrs Bella expressed it.'
    ` She said that to you! ' Snape burst out.
    `We're leaving now,' Tweed told him, ignoring the strange outburst.

    4

    Tweed drove down the drive. The gates had opened, and he turned left into another fir-shrouded tunnel. It was cold again. It would always be cold. Paula stared at him. His expression was grim.
    She was looking at a man of uncertain age, of medium height and well built inside his smart navy- blue suit. He had horn-rimmed glasses on his strong nose above a determined mouth and well-shaped jaw.
    He had changed recently, seemed to her younger and very fit.
    `You're going the wrong way,' she ventured. 'We should have turned right beyond the gates for London' `You're not as analytical as you usually are.'
    `What does that mean?'
    `Bella and Lavinia made a great performance about hiding the address on that envelope, the type of envelope which often contains a will.'
    `I still don't get it,' she protested.
    `Hamble, Goodworthy and Richter, well-known solicitors with offices in Threadneedle Street, London. Bella raised her voice to make sure we heard. I do have an advantage over you,' he admitted. 'Watching her leave in her Saab from that window I saw Lavinia turn left beyond the gates.'
    `This is the way to Gladworth..
    `Precisely,' he went on in the same grim tone. 'I signalled to Harry with my lighter. He'll have followed her. When we find him he'll tell us where Lavinia did go to.'
    `Oh, I see.'
    `On top of that I don't like people laying plans to kill me, especially when I have you in the car. The attempt on our lives was skilfully planned. Be analytical and you can work it out for yourself.'
    `I'm lost,' she confessed.
    ' Think! ' he snapped. 'From the moment we left Park Crescent.'
    She glanced at him, taken aback. He so rarely snapped at her. She sensed he was concealing a cold rage.

    `This must be Gladworth,' Paula said as they emerged from the fir-enclosed tunnel into an old street paved with flat stones. 'Now, to find Harry and see if this is where Lavinia was headed for.'
    Tweed had slowed to a crawl. A notice warned 20 m.p.h. maximum speed. Paula had her face pressed to the window. She was searching for his brown Ford with its souped-up engine. Both sides of Gladworth's streets were lined with large expensive-looking terraced houses. Residents obviously occupied the first and second floors, which all had stone troughs perched on the