Colin Forbes - The Power

'Thank you, I have another specimen for you to check – but that can wait. There have been two more murders

Two more?' Beck's tone was ironical. 'You know then about the killing of a certain Helen Frey?'

'Yes, we can talk about that when we meet. One victim is

Klara, the girl who had the apartment opposite Helen Prey's. The other is a private detective. I'm speaking from his office now. A Theo Strebel…'

'Strebel! Oh, no, not Theo. He worked in the police force just before I got the top job. I wouldn't have thought anyone could have murdered Theo. You said you were at his office?'

'Yes. The address is-'

'I know it. I'm on my way there now…'

Paula sat in the front passenger seat next to Butler as he drove them up the steep hill to Eve Amberg's villa. Nield was in the back. The two men had discreetly followed Tweed to the Altstadt address when he had first visited Theo Strebel.

Before Beck arrived at Strebel's office, Tweed had given Paula careful instructions as to the information he wanted her to obtain from Eve Amberg. He had warned her not to mention the murders of Klara and Strebel, had then taken her down into the street to find a taxi. Relieved to see Butler and Nield, he had left her in their safe hands while he waited with Newman for Beck.

'Shouldn't you have phoned her first to make sure she is in?' Butler suggested as he pulled up in front of the wrought-iron gates.

'I did think of that but Tweed was anxious for me to get clear before Beck arrived.'

'Makes sense – under the circumstances,' Nield remarked.

On the way Paula had told them about the two murders. They had listened in silence as she put them concisely in the picture.

'A pretty grisly experience,' Butler had commented when she had finished. 'The murder count is climbing. Tweed could be next if he's not careful.'

'Bob stayed with him. Tweed will be all right. Now, if you don't mind, I'll go in by myself. I shouldn't be long

Tweed had made that point – that she should talk to Eve on her own.

'She may tell you more on a woman-to-woman basis…'

Pushing open one gate, Paula walked past an Audi parked in the drive, bonnet pointed towards the garage, caught a whiff of petrol in the fresh clear morning air. She hauled on the ancient chain bell-pull and the door was opened almost at once by Eve Amberg.

The Englishwoman wore denims, a padded windcheater and a knitted blue woollen cap. Her titian hair cascaded down her back. She gave Paula a warm smile, invited her inside, took her into the living room.

'I was just going shopping. Hateful task but it has to be done. Just before I left a Swiss woman friend called on the phone. She's nice but once she gets talking her mouth is glued to the phone. Goes on and on. Would you like some coffee? It's bitterly cold out there.'

'No, thank you just the same. Am I throwing your whole schedule out of gear? I tried to phone but the line was engaged,' she lied to cover up what might appear to be lack of manners.

'Not at all.' Eve pulled off her woollen cap, took her guest's coat, laid it neatly over a chair and sat down facing Paula. 'It's a relief for me to talk to someone English. The shopping can damn well wait.'

Tweed is still trying to find out who committed those terrible murders – the ones at Tresillian Manor and now Helen Frey. We went to see her yesterday.'

'What happened to her was horrific. I read about it in the paper. What was she like? I am still wondering what Julius saw in her.'

'I thought she was rather ordinary,' Paula said tactfully. 'You mentioned to Tweed you knew Cornwall. He wondered what part of it you come from?'

'Launceston, just beyond where Bodmin Moor ends. That's how I know Gaunt.'

'And he came all this way to tell you about Julius? A nice gesture. Tweed is intrigued by Gaunt.'

'I don't wonder. He has such a strong personality. No, he didn't come just for that. He has business interests in Zurich. Don't ask me what they are. I'm hopeless when it comes to money. That's why the fact that Walter now controls the bank is a worry. What money I have is in that bank.'

'Walter is still in Zurich?'

Eve produced her ivory holder, inserted a cigarette, lit it. She waved the holder.

'I imagine so. Haven't heard a word from him, let alone seen him. Strange man.'

So she didn't realize Walter was now in Basle, Paula thought. He obviously doesn't let his sister-in-law know a thing.

'Lucky – from your point of view – that you didn't think of going to Cornwall with Julius,' Paula suggested.

'I can't make up my mind about that. He might still be alive if I'd gone.'

'I think that's highly unlikely – considering what took place. I was there – and only escaped with my life by pure chance.'

'Frightening,' Eve said. 'You lead a charmed life. I expect I shall go back to Launceston when this is all over.'

'They didn't try to get you back to attend to the funeral arrangements?'

Eve took a deep drag oh her cigarette, blew out smoke. Again she brandished the holder.

'It was all settled by phone. Julius always said if anything happened to him he wanted to be buried in Cornwall. He loved the place, hoped to retire there. I suppose in a macabre way he got his wish. I didn't go – it would have been too upsetting. I'll visit his grave when I do go back.'

The phone began ringing. Eve made a moue, crossed the room with brisk steps. She picked up the phone, her back to Paula.

'Yes, who is it?'

She listened, then replied, her voice high-pitched.

'Not now. It's not convenient. I'll get back to you this afternoon. At least, as soon as I can. Goodbye.'

She waved the holder a third time as she sat down again. Paula thought she detected a trace of annoyance in Eve's manner.

'That was Gaunt,' Eve said. 'Wanted to come and see how I was getting on. Very considerate, but you can have too much of a good thing.'

'Sorry, I'm not with you.'

'Just between you and me, he's a nice man. But I find him overbearing at times. Wants to order your life for you.'

'Where did you first meet him?'

'In Padstow, where I was born. That was when I was long grown up. Quite a while after I'd left Roedean School and started to live a normal life. You won't believe this, but I was Head Girl for a short time – and hated every minute of it. Felt like a fish in an aquarium. I bought a house outside Launceston when my father died -I'd had enough of Padstow. The summer, the best time, was ruined with ghastly trippers.'

'I've taken up a lot of your time. I think I'd better go, let you get on with that lovely shopping.'

'Excuse my attire. Don't like women who frolic about in denims. You see a lot of that in Padstow these days. But they're practical for shopping.'

Paula was standing up to go when she turned round as Eve prepared to see her to the front door.

'One more thing Tweed wanted to know, if it's not too personal. He gathered Julius decided on his trip to Bodmin Moor at short notice. So he must have phoned Gaunt to see if Tresillian Manor was available for him. It really was very short notice for Gaunt to clear out to his cottage at Five Lanes. How did Gaunt react?'

'Said Julius could have the manor for as long as he liked, that he needed the money.'

She opened the front door and came out into the porch as Paula thanked her. Eve looked at the parked Audi.

'I'm glad to see that. It's just been returned from our service garage after a maintenance check. Something about the brakes. Arrived just before you did.'

'In time for your shopping. Again, many thanks…'

Butler waited until he had turned the black Mercedes in the road and was heading back for Zurich, before he asked Paula: 'Did you get what Tweed wanted?'