The Tightrope Men / The Enemy Read Online Free PDF Page A

Møllergata.’ Henodded as though he did know. ‘I didn’t get much out of it. I think next time I’ll try the American church.’ She frowned. ‘Where is the American church, Harry?’
    He had to say something , so he took a chance. ‘Isn’t it near the Embassy?’
    Her brow cleared. ‘Of course. Between Bygdøy Alle and Drammens Veien. It’s funny, isn’t it? The American church being practically next door to the British Embassy. You’d expect it to be near the American Embassy.’
    He gulped. ‘Yes, you would,’ he said, and forbore to mention that that was what he had meant. Even a quasitheological conversation was strewn with pitfalls. He had to get out of this before he really dropped a clanger.
    And an alarming suspicion had just sprung to mind, fully armed and spiky. Whoever had planted him in that hotel room and provided him with money and the means to provide all the necessities of life - and a lot of the luxuries, too - was unlikely to leave him unobserved. Someone would be keeping tabs on him, otherwise the whole operation was a nonsense. Could it be this redhead who apparently had qualms about her immortal soul? What could be better than to plant someone right next to him for closer observation?
    She opened the packet of cigarettes and offered him one. ‘You’re sure you won’t?’
    He shook his head. ‘Quite sure.’
    ‘It must be marvellous to have will power.’
    He wanted peace and not this continuous exploration of a maze where every corner turned could be more dangerous than the last. He started to cough again, and dragged his handkerchief from his pocket. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said in a muffled voice. ‘I think you’re right; I’d be better off in bed. Do you mind if I leave you?’
    ‘Of course not.’ Her voice was filled with concern. ‘Do you want a doctor?’
    ‘That’s not necessary,’ he said. ‘I’ll be all right tomorrow - I know how these turns take me.’ He stood up and she also rose. ‘Don’t bother to come with me. The hotel is only across the road.’
    He picked up the packet and thrust the maps back into it, and put the handkerchief into his pocket. She looked down at his feet. ‘You’ve dropped something,’ she said, and stooped to pick it up. ‘Why, it’s a Spiralen Doll.’
    ‘A what?’ he asked incautiously. It must have been pulled from his pocket when he took out the handkerchief.
    She regarded him oddly. ‘You pointed these out at the Spiralen when we were there last week. You laughed at them and called them tourist junk. Don’t you remember?’
    ‘Of course,’ he said. ‘It’s just this damned headache.’
    She laughed. ‘I didn’t expect to see you carrying one. You didn’t buy this when we were there - where did you get it?’
    He told the truth. ‘I found it in the car I hired.’
    ‘You can’t trust anyone to do a good job these days,’ she said, smiling. ‘Those cars are supposed to be cleaned and checked.’ She held it out. ‘Do you want it?’
    ‘I may be a bit light-headed,’ he said, ‘but I think I do.’ He took it from her. ‘I’ll be going now.’
    ‘Have a hot toddy and a good night’s sleep,’ she advised. ‘And ring me as soon as you’re better.’
    That would be difficult, to say the least, with neither telephone number nor name. ‘Why don’t you give me a ring tomorrow,’ he said. ‘I think I’ll be well enough to have dinner. I promise not to stand you up again.’
    ‘I’ll ring you tomorrow afternoon.’
    ‘Promise,’ he insisted, not wanting to lose her.
    ‘Promise.’
    He put the rope doll into his pocket and left her with a wave, and went out of the garden, across the road and into the hotel, feeling relieved that he was well out of a difficultsituation. Information , he thought, as he walked across the hotel lobby; that’s what I need - I’m hamstrung without it.
    He paused at the porter’s desk and the porter looked up with a quick smile. ‘Your key, sir?’ He swung around and