Colin Forbes - Blood Storm

'What was the main reason for their defeat?' Paula wondered.

'This.'

Tweed held up a month-old copy of the Daily Nation. The headline above the first of many stories by Drew Franklin was enormous.

NEWLY APPOINTED CABINE'I MINISTER MASS MURDERER

Below it the text described vividly the scene in Coral Flenton's flat when Paula had shot Nelson Macomber dead as he was about to carve Coral up. This attempt was linked with the horrific killings of Viola and Marina Vander-Browne. A police report from Commander Buchanan left little doubt Nelson Macomber was the murderer of both women.

'And this,' said Tweed, holding up another copy of the paper printed two days later.

NELSON MACOMBER'S 'CABAL' PLANNED PRISON STATE, GB

The text described in detail the prisons built on Black Island with photos of the torture chamber. The smuggling in of the Tatra mountains Slovaks was also described, illustrated with a photograph of their brutal chief, Radek.

A few days later the same paper, with Drew Franklin's by-line, printed the devastating report Tweed's Director, Howard, had handed to the now resigned Prime Minister. Also there was a copy of the draft bill proposing the creation of State Security. A draft which had been destroyed.

'I do wonder,' Newman said with a cynical smile, 'how Drew obtained all this information, including photos Paula took.'

'I really have no idea,' said Tweed as he gazed at the ceiling.

'You know,' Newman went on, 'when you're telling a whopping great lie you always gaze up at the ceiling.'

'I was watching a spider.' Tweed looked at Paula. 'How is Coral now?'

After the shooting of Nelson, Paula had taken Coral back to her flat. There she had called Professor Saafeld who, after examining the body of Nelson Macomber, had rushed to the flat.

After checking Coral carefully he had suggested moving her to a private clinic where she could stay until she had recovered.

'Bloody hell! No clinic, thank you,' Coral had burst out.

'She could stay here with me,' Paula suggested firmly. 'I can watch over her.'

'Might be a much better idea,' Saafeld had agreed. 'She is only in a mild state of shock. The young can recover quickly from almost anything. I leave her in your safe hands, Paula.'

*

As if on cue, as Paula recalled this scene, Coral walked into the office with a springy step. She wore a new close-fitting white jumper and a white skirt. The outfit emphasized her blaze of red hair. She was smiling nervously as she looked at Tweed.

'Is it all right if I go on a short holiday with Pete Nield? He's such a nice man and wants to take me to a fabulous hotel by the sea in Dorset.'

'He's practically been living at my flat,' Paula said drily.

'He can take a fortnight off,' Tweed told her.

Coral rushed across the room, talking as she moved, threw her arms round Paula. 'You've been a real brick, looking after me. I do want us to keep in touch.'

'A long dinner, then, when you get back. My bet is Pete is waiting downstairs for you in the visitors' room.'

'Yes, he is. But before I do…'

She rushed at Tweed, hugged him so hard he was almost out of breath. She then administered the same treatment to Newman, waved a hand and was gone.

'I did work it out eventually,' Tweed said to Paula, linking his hands behind his neck. 'The newspaper on Coral's desk announcing Nelson's promotion, Coral dancing with delight. That killer had charm and she'd fallen for him, so she was the next victim, not the Parrot.'

'Which I'd worked out earlier.' Paula frowned. 'You took your time getting to me.'

'I know. I was wrong, you were right. I'm so sorry. In future you tell me when I slip up. Don't forget.'

'I won't. You'll get sick of me reminding you.'