The Cauldron (40 page)

'I understand your position.' Tweed said more quietly.

'Just run. Run like hell. While you're still alive ...'

28

Tweed held a second battle conference in his suite at Spanish Bay. Everyone was present except Butler, who was patrolling the corridor outside. With his hands clasped behind his back, Tweed, standing, faced the others, who were sitting down. For Nield's sake he recalled what Dillon had said.

'We're on our own,' he concluded.

'We've been there before,' Nield commented in his cultured voice. 'Sometimes it's better that way. Then we have total secrecy. Don't see how that affects the situation.'

"Thank you, Pete.' Tweed looked at Paula. 'I think we had better put you on the first flight home.'

She stood up, her nostrils flaring. Under her elegant dark brows her eyes glared. She stood with her hands on her hips.

'You want to try it? Carrying me aboard a flight kicking and screaming that I'm being kidnapped?'

'I gather I have no option.' Tweed smiled drily. 'You will be staying.'

'You're too damned right I'll be staying.'

She sat down, her face flushed with indignation.

Crossing her legs, she stared, at Tweed, who began speaking again.

'You have to understand, all of you, we're in a hostile land. No help from anyone.'

'Been there. So we're there again. So what?' asked Nield.

There was a knock on the door. It was opened by Butler and Alvarez walked in. He flashed a smile at Paula, sat down on the couch next to her.

'We've heard from Langley ...' Tweed began.

'So have I.' Alvarez replied. 'I thought about it, then I just called Cord again. Told him to stuff his job where the monkey put the nuts.' He glanced at Paula. 'Sorry, but it is good English?'

'Perfect.' she assured him.

'I've resigned.' Alvarez went on. 'Moloch may be able to put pressure on Washington, but he can't put it on me. You folks need someone who knows the territory. I know it like the back of my hand. Let's say I've put myself on temporary assignment to you. I presume you're going on with this?'

'We are.'

'I guessed you would. I handed in my gun to police HQ in Monterey, told them I didn't care how they got it to Langley. Then I went out and bought myself another gun. With a permit. I'm at your disposal.'

'We're all very grateful...' Tweed began again.

'None of that stuff.' Alvarez held up a hand, smiled again. 'I smell great danger. I happen to think enough of my country to stay in the act. So what has been happening?'

Tweed explained their visit to Palo Eldorado. Told Alvarez what they had seen. He frowned.

'Took a chance going up there. Not the most dangerous place in California, but risky. Ethan Benyon sounds like a crazy.'

He is. And I'm sure he's a key figure in VB's operation.'

'I've just worked something out.' Paula intervened. 'Moloch invited you to Black Ridge to weigh you up. "Formidable" was how Vanity described you. She probably passed that on to him - and when he saw you he agreed with her assessment. His next move was to pressure the politicians he's bought. I had wondered why he wanted to see you. He's scared of you.'

'I suppose you could be right.' Tweed said dubiously. 'I had a call from Vanity just before you all came in here. She wants to meet me at a place called The Ridge, a restaurant and hotel up the Carmel Valley. 12.30 p.m. tomorrow.'

'We'll all come with you.' Newman said.

'He isn't going to let pass a chance to meet Vanity again,' said Paula, introducing a lighter note deliberately.

'We don't know this place.' Newman warned.

'I do.' said Alvarez. 'A top restaurant. Run by a nice guy. I think I ought to come, too. I know how to get there.'

'You would be welcome to join us for dinner this evening.' Tweed suggested. 'Unless being seen with us would put you in danger.'

Alvarez laughed. 'I'm going to be seen with you a whole lot. What the hell do I care? I'm a civilian now. I accept the invitation with thanks. Where would you like to go?'

'I've heard that there's a very good restaurant in Carmel called Anton & Michel. After today, I feel like a really good meal. Grenville told me about it.'

'You'll get it there.' Alvarez assured him. 'If it's OK by you guys I'll make a reservation for all of us. Time?'

'8 p.m..' Tweed said promptly. 'Takes Paula an hour to tart herself up.'

'It does not.' she rapped back.

'Don't forget Butler.' Meld suggested to Alvarez.

'How could I forget a tough guy like that?'

He was going to the phone when Tweed asked him to wait a moment. He looked round at everybody.

'I think I should tell you I'm convinced Moloch has a spy, identity unknown, outside his immediate organization. We can trust no one.'

'I never do,' replied Alvarez and smiled again at Paula who smiled back warmly. 'One other thing before I make the call,' Alvarez warned. 'I don't know why Vanity Richmond has asked you to lunch, Tweed. We'd better watch that one c'

'Did you invite Tweed to lunch at The Ridge in Carmel Valley?' Joel Brand asked Vanity.

Working late in her office at Black Ridge, Vanity looked up in surprise. She had thought Brand was going in to Carmel for dinner.

'Yes, I did. You said VB wanted me to assess Tweed to confirm his own opinion.'

'So Tweed will be there at 12.30 p.m.?'

'I imagine so. He agreed to have lunch with me.'

"Thank you.' Brand gave her a big smile. 'Don't work too late. It will spoil your beauty sleep.'

"That would be a tragedy,' she said sarcastically.

When he had gone she tried for the third time to call Moloch at the AMBECO building in San Francisco. Once again he was engaged on another call. She decided to give up checking Brand's instruction. Later, her not calling VB again was to have momentous consequences for several people.

A very satisfied Brand soon left the building, climbed into his Citroen to drive to Carmel through the evening dark. He was not only aggressive but also very thorough. He knew that VB would not have approved of what he had planned, but he was Chief of Security.

Brand was not convinced that the fact that VB had caused all official support to be withdrawn from him in Washington was going to compel Tweed to leave the country. Better to make sure he was no longer a menace.

In an emergency, experience had taught him, when springing one trap on a target, it was best to have a backup - in case the first trap failed. Still, with a bit of luck Tweed would not survive the next few hours.

Anton & Michel was hidden away in another of Carmel's many courtyards. But this one, once you were inside, was far more open than the courtyard where Linda Standish had been murdered. Paula was relieved by the different atmosphere.

It was called Court of the Fountains. As they turned a corner she saw why. In a large open space was an oblong pool full of water. Fountains, spurting water, were illuminated. The whole place gave her a relaxed feeling. Great tall windows lined the outside of the restaurant -long slabs of glass which gave those with window tables a close view of the fountains and the pool.

'This is lovely.' she said to Alvarez.

'It's great,' he replied.

After parking the cars Alvarez had remained behind for a short time, looking up and down the street, empty at this evening hour. Then he had hustled ahead, alongside Paula, and was the first to enter the restaurant after a quick excuse to Paula. Following him, she saw his swift glance round the restaurant, checking every table.

'Looks OK,' he said to Tweed who had caught them up.

They were shown to a large table by the window. The whole team was there. Newman, Marler, Butler and Nield. Paula sat by the window, opposite Tweed. She noticed Alvarez took the end chair furthest away from the window, presumably so he could scan any newcomers.

The restaurant was almost full and many of the guests had by now reached an advanced stage of their meal. The interior was luxurious and comfortable at the same time. Paula leaned towards Tweed.

"This is a marvellous place. The decor is perfect. And it's got this wonderful view of the fountains. What more could we want?'

'A menu.' said Marler.

A moment later the head waiter appeared, handed out a menu to each guest. Paula noticed Alvarez merely glanced at his, then he was casually gazing round again. She leaned again towards Tweed, keeping her voice low.

'Why is Alvarez on edge?'

'Well ...' Tweed hesitated, then decided he'd better tell her the truth. 'He says we were followed here from the moment we had left the exit from Spanish Bay.'

'I've just lost my appetite.'

'Would you sooner I hadn't told you?'

'No. I like to know what's going on.'

"That's what I thought. Now, decide what you want. Choose something good.'

Paula gradually relaxed as she consumed an excellent meal, drank a little wine. Newman seemed to be in a good mood and cracked jokes with her, but she knew he was capable of appearing without a care in the world when inwardly he was worried. Tweed drank orange juice and she noticed Alvarez also avoided taking any wine.

'You know.' she said as coffee was served, 'the Americans are wonderful at creating original and high-class restaurants. This place is a good example of their skill in that field.'

'I agree.' said Tweed.

'Everything here is just right.' she went on.

'Perfect.'

Paula was aware that the conversation was stilted, that they were making an effort to appear to be enjoying themselves. Marler smoked more king-sizes than was usual. Butler and Nield joined in the conversation but only Nield had a light-hearted way of talking.

'Paula.' he called out, 'spoil yourself. Have a liqueur with your coffee. That should get the corpuscles running around in circles.'

'It would probably get me running round in circles.'

"That I'd like to see.' Nield continued. 'We could dance the samba, create a sensation. People at other tables seem to be taking life far too seriously. The idea of going out for a meal is to enjoy yourself. And you're looking particularly ravishing tonight.'

"Thank you, Pete. You're dangerous. In a minute I'll order a Grand Marnier.'

'I'll order it for you now ...'

'I said in a minute.'

She liked Pete Nield. He was good-looking, always calm in a critical situation. He gave the impression of really finding life a great entertainment.

'Glad you think I'm dangerous.' he chaffed her. 'I'm told women can't resist a man who has a reputation for being dangerous. You know why?'

Tell me.' She laughed. 'You sound like an expert in that way of life.'

"They are attracted to dangerous men because ...' he leaned forward '... they believe they can tame them. They are a challenge. Few women can resist a challenge.'

'If you say so.' She laughed again. 'Are you challenging me, Pete?'

'Don't take him on, Paula.' Newman joked. 'Behind that suave manner is a very experienced Casanova ...'

Paula was laughing again when a shadowy figure appeared in the courtyard. It wore a wide-brimmed slouch hat pulled down over the forehead, large dark glasses, a scarf wrapped round the lower part of the face, a short trenchcoat and denims.

At first sight there was nothing strange about the garb - it was very chilly outside and Paula had worn her fur coat. Shuffling along at a rapid _ pace, the figure approached the window. Paula froze in mid-laugh. The invisible eyes behind the dark glasses stared at her. Then both hands were raised and she saw they were clutching a circular object the size of a large soup plate. The figure thrust the object against the glass and it remained there, like a turtle poised at right angles to the ground.

Only Alvarez had noticed her sudden change of expression. He saw the turtle clinging to the window as the figure began to leave the courtyard, its shadow enormous in the illumination from the fountains. He jumped up, kicking his chair back, shouted at the top of his voice.

'
On the floor, everybody. It's a bomb!
'