The Main Chance Read Online Free PDF Page B

outside ledges, packed with spring flowers — crocuses, daffodils and shrubs. The ground floors were occupied by shops Paula had not expected. Expensive, she spotted Escada where a dress cost a small fortune, then Aquascutum and many more in the same price range.
    `There's loads of money somewhere round here,' she observed.
    `Probably in big houses hidden in The Forest,' Tweed remarked vaguely. 'What we have to do is to see if Harry is here.'
    `There's a sign pointing to a car park down a side street,'
    `We'll check that. 1 don't see cars parked in the street.'
    As they turned down a narrow street bordered with grey-stone houses Paula lowered her window. The park was filled with expensive cars neatly slotted in. She saw a Lamborghini and stared at an ancient Lagonda. Tweed found a slot, slipped carefully inside, switched off the engine. He had seen Lavinia's Saab. The number plate was the one he'd memorized while watching her drive off from Hengistbury Manor.
    `Now, where's Harry?' she called out.
    `The old mucker's here,' Harry's Cockney voice replied, standing outside her window. 'And,' he went on, addressing Tweed, `if that silver Saab is the one you wanted me to follow you've come to the right place. The girl driving it could drive me nuts. If I put on a decent set of clothes and got educated.'
    `She'd probably be fascinated by you,' Paula said, grinning. 'Especially when you started telling her East End jokes.'
    `What did she do when she arrived?' growled Tweed. `Where is she now?'
    `First —' Harry ticked off the points on his thick fingers — 'she parks her car here. Second, she darts back into the street and pops into a solicitors — Lowell, French and Browne. Small place in the main street with a big window. A thin streak with a pince-nez is sitting behind a desk. She hands him the long brown envelope she's been carrying. Pince-nez scribbles in a small book, tears out a sheet, hands it to her and she's away.'
    `The receipt,' said Tweed.
    `Then Pince-nez uses the phone, a short call.' `Telling Bella it's arrived safely,' Tweed commented. `What does she do next?'
    `Goes into the Pike's Peak, presumably for lunch since she's still there. At least I think so. Not in the dining-room or bar.'
    `That posh place with white walls and a doorman?' asked Paula.
    `You've got it in one. Best place in town is my guess.'
    Tweed was hurrying out of the car as Paula closed the window. When they joined Harry, Tweed's voice was crisp, that of a man who did not waste time. He looked at Harry.
    `Guide us discreetly. I'd like to see Lowell, French and Browne without them seeing us.'
    `Follow me. Slowly. No one hurries in Gladworth. No one except the glorious dish who drives the Saab. We'll cross to the other side of the main street.'
    There was no traffic when they strolled after Harry. Among the few pedestrians were elegantly dressed women gazing into the shop windows. This is better than the Piccadilly end of Bond Street, Paula thought. Harry paused, turned round.
    `Other side of the street. That big window!
    Tweed glanced at the window of sheet glass. Inscribed in old lettering was the name. Lowell, French & Browne. Solicitors . No one was seated at a large desk at right angles to the High Street. Nor was there any sign of any occupant anywhere in the office. Tweed frowned.
    `Don't go to the Pike's Peak for lunch,' Harry warned. 'Your target must be in the restaurant.'
    Tweed chose a tea shop which served full lunches. They invited Harry to join them but he had a packed lunch in his car. Paula ordered ham and eggs and Tweed followed suit. He had a faraway look and Paula kept quiet.
    `Excuse my not talking,' he said, 'but I have a lot to think about.'
    They were driving back towards London through the dark tunnels with Harry a quarter-mile ahead of
    them when Tweed began. talking.
    `Worked it out yet?' he asked Paula.
    `Yes. My brain must have gone to sleep. That attempt to kill us with the digger was brilliantly organized. First,