The Cauldron (42 page)

She went back to report to Tweed what she had seen and heard in the lobby.

Within thirty minutes of Paula booking the open air tickets Moloch had been informed of her action by phone. He told Joel Brand who had just entered his office.

'So the whole lot appear to be ready to take off for home,' he remarked.

'Don't believe it,' Brand replied curtly.

He was wearing a lumberjack's outfit, minus the tool belt. On his feet were a pair of tough leather boots with metal studs in the toecaps.

'Why not?' Moloch enquired, staring at his deputy.

'They're trying to bluff us. You said yourself Tweed struck you as a man who never gives up.'

'I did. But now he finds himself in an impossible position since I persuaded Washington to withdraw all support. He has no authority in America. No status. He has obviously realized this. Hence the booking of air tickets back to Britain.'

'I still don't believe it.'

'You're beginning to bore me.' Moloch's eyes gazed at Brand's. 'Why are you dressed like that? You know I like my staff to wear proper clothes on duty.'

'I ain't on duty,' Brand responded insolently. "This is one of my rare days off. You agreed I could take a day when I felt I needed it. I feel I need it. Mind if I borrow the chopper? I'm goin' fishing. You said you'd be here all day.'

'Use the chopper. Try shark fishing. You might have an accident.'

Moloch was already back at examining his papers. Brand was pleased with himself. He had stage-managed that well. Made VB so irked he was glad to be rid of him. With his back to Moloch, he smirked. His chief couldn't handle Tweed. Brand knew he could. Permanently.

'Any of several people could have been eavesdropping on me when I ordered those tickets.' Paula reported to Tweed in his living room. 'Grenville was there, so was Maurice - although according to Grenville he'd already started drinking brandy at that hour. Then Vanity was hanging around behind me.'

'But according to what you told me a moment ago the lobby was full of people. It could have been someone else we don't know about.'

Tweed was examining a map as he spoke. He asked Paula to join him as he pointed to the map.

"There is Carmel Valley. As you'll see it runs a long way inland. Alvarez came in while you were away. That cross shows the hotel called Robles Del Rio Lodge. The Ridge - the restaurant where we're meeting Vanity for lunch - is part of the hotel. Down here' - he pointed to a second cross Alvarez had drawn - 'is a small airfield for light aircraft near what they call the Village, as you'll see.'

'The road along Carmel Valley then continues for miles - to a place called Greenfield. Seems to be in the middle of nowhere.'

'It is. Approaching Greenfield the road is close to the notorious Ventana wilderness. That's where the Rednecks prowl.'

'Rednecks?'

'Alvarez will explain them to you. He's very good on the early history of America - which throws a light on California today. Had your breakfast?'

'No. Grenville wanted me to join him but I evaded the invitation.'

'Then what are you waiting for? Order it from Room Service for both of us here. I feel like the full English.'

Paula was surprised by Tweed's robust attitude. He seemed to be looking forward to the prospect of what lay ahead of them. He was even humming to himself. She paused before picking up the phone.

'I have a feeling this trip up the Carmel Valley could be dangerous.'

'Possibly. Which is why, after we've finished breakfast, everyone is assembling in Marler's room. I've put him in charge of the whole operation. He will be handing out certain equipment.'

'Bob Newman is usually in charge.'

'I know. But he's had a lot to cope with.'

'You're worried his mind might not be totally concentrated on the job? That he's so carried away by Vanity he might make a mistake? An infatuated man doesn't think straight.'

'Bob is thinking more clearly than you obviously realize. I just feel it is time Marler played a greater role. He's a cool man in an emergency.'

'You think there will be one, then? An emergency?'

'I sincerely hope so. It's time we confronted the thugs and gave them a taste of their own medicine.'

30

It was another glorious sunny day as they drove towards the entrance to the Carmel Valley. It was also very warm. At Tweed's suggestion Paula was seated in the rear of the Cadillac alongside Alvarez, who had attended Marler's conference.

In the front Newman was behind the wheel with Tweed next to him. Behind them Marler drove the BMW. In the front passenger seat sat Nield, smoking a cigarette, looking out with interest at the countryside. Butler, carrying a canvas holdall looped by a strap over his back, occupied the rear. Inside the holdall, with other equipment, was a Heckler and Koch MP5 9mm sub-machine-gun. It had been handed to him by Marler during the conference in his room.

'Where on earth did you get that?' Paula had asked.

'Don't ask embarrassing questions,' Marler had reproved her with a glance at Alvarez. 'It has a firepower of six hundred and fifty rounds a minute. Standard weapon used by the SAS back home...'

The others were also carrying canvas holdalls -including Nield, Marler, Newman and Alvarez. Paula's shoulder bag was bulging. The only passenger not carrying any weapon was Tweed. He had rarely been known to carry a gun, although he was a crack shot.

"That building down there on your right is Mission Ranch,' Alvarez told Paula. 'A very nice restaurant with a superb view over the estuary of the Carmel River and the hills beyond, to say nothing of its ocean view. We might call there for a drink on the way back.'

If we ever get back, Paula thought, but kept the idea to herself.

Warm as it had been during the drive to the Carmel Valley, the heat became subtropical when Newman turned off the main road along the entrance to the valley. The further they drove along a well-surfaced wide road the more the temperature climbed. Paula remarked on it.

"That's true.' Alvarez agreed. "The reason is the valley is cut off from ocean breezes. It is like a funnel. The sun beats down on it, builds up the heat for which there is no escape.'

'No escape is right.' replied Paula, mopping perspiration off her forehead. 'Yet there are some pretty luxurious-looking properties high up.'

"The higher up you are, the cooler you are. And with a good view we are talking of properties worth a million dollars, maybe two or three.'

"This part of California seems loaded with dollars.' she commented.

'It is. People who have made it come here because of the climate and the magnificent scenery. Here you have it all.'

'Including contentment?'

'Ah!' Alvarez let out his infectious laugh. 'Who is content in America? There is always a restlessness, a seeking of a new sensation. Maybe a new wife, a new lady friend. Women are infected with the same disease, always looking for something new, someone new. I believe the trouble is that America is not a country, as in Europe, it is a continent. The sheer scale dwarfs people, so they scuttle around like ants.'

Paula fell silent. She was watching the endless new views which appeared as Newman kept driving round bends, opening up a fresh panorama. On both sides high rolling hills folded behind each other and she had distant views of the valley which seemed to plunge into the interior for ever. Then she remembered what she was going to ask him.

'What are Rednecks?'

'Rednecks.' replied Alvarez gravely, 'are primitive people. You leave behind the California of the tourist posters. They are very tough, carry shotguns - and don't hesitate to use them on strangers. They live in and on the edge of the Ventana wilderness. They are usually big men with thick red necks. Hence the name. Best if we don't meet up with them. But they are a long way down the valley from where we are lunching. Oh, here we are. Newman, be ready to turn right up a winding road. Off the highway.'

Following the instructions, Newman turned, began to climb a steep winding narrow road. The road carried them higher and higher past open hill country. Gone were the wayside hamlets, the turn-offs to general stores and other shops Paula had seen at intervals on the valley road.

Just when she wondered where their destination was they swung round another steep slope and she saw Vanity's Audi parked below a flight of white stone steps. A wooden sign suspended from a post proclaimed
Robles Del Rio Lodge
. At the top of the steps a large trellis of wood framed the entrance to a terrace beyond.

Newman was parking the car with the BMW pulling up behind him when Vanity appeared, running down the steps. She wore a summery white sleeveless dress which emphasized her blazing mane of red hair. Round her waist was a wide leather belt with a gold buckle.

'Welcome, all of you.'

She was smiling constantly. Newman held out his hand, grinning as he kissed her on one cheek. The scene amused Paula. She realized he didn't want a great display of public affection. Vanity turned to Paula, hugged her, and Paula caught a whiff of faint perfume, quite different from the aroma she had experienced when The Accountant attempted to garrotte her.

'I've booked Table Four.' Vanity said to Tweed. 'I've had it enlarged. It gives us the most terrific view while we enjoy lunch. But first you will all want drinks. The heat is exceptional today.'

'It would be,' Tweed replied in a mocking tone as she gazed at him. 'It knew we were coming.'

After greeting the others, Vanity folded her arm inside Tweed's, escorted him up the steps with Paula by her side. At the top Paula paused, gazing in admiration at a large oblong swimming pool to their right. She thought she had never seen water so intensely sapphire.

"They have swimming outfits you can borrow,' Vanity told her. 'You could have a dip after lunch.'

Alvarez had a wary expression as he surveyed the place. He took an especial interest in several people sitting by the pool. One slim girl in a swimsuit and a robe had the most amazing legs he had ever seen. She was surrounded by three men and he wondered who the lucky one was - if any of them. She caught his gaze and smiled. He gave her a little wave with his hand.

The proprietor, a good-looking man with a warm extrovert manner, greeted them.

'Lunch is ready to be served only when you are ready to be served. Do look around the place. A waiter is here to provide drinks...'

Paula was standing at the inner edge of the terrace where she could look at the view, which was vertiginous. Far below she could see a hamlet called the Village. Nearby was an airfield. A light aircraft took off, climbed into the sky like a dragonfly, vanishing over the summits of pyramid-shaped hills. Then a chopper appeared out of nowhere, dropped, landed on the airfield.

'What have we here?'

Alvarez was suddenly beside her. He produced a pair of field glasses, focused them as the helicopter stopped on the runway.

'Bring Tweed over here. Quietly and quickly.' he requested.

Tweed left the others strolling round the pool, was alongside Alvarez in no time as Paula followed on his heels.

Trouble?' he enquired.

'I fear so. See those men disembarking from that chopper? The big man is Joel Brand.'

He handed the glasses to Tweed who studied the men alighting from the machine. They all carried golf bags. As he watched, a second chopper dropped out of the sky, landed, disembarking more men. He handed the glasses back to Alvarez.

"The guard master at Black Ridge, Luis Martinez, has left the second chopper,' Alvarez reported. 'More golf bags. You know what that means?'

'Spot of bother?' drawled a fresh voice.

Marler had strolled over to them from the pool. He held a glass of wine in his hand. Alvarez quickly explained what they had observed. He handed the glasses to Marler, who perched his wine on a nearby table then glued the field glasses to his eyes.

"They're all piling into two vehicles,' he remarked. 'A Chrysler and a four-wheel job. Like a Land-Rover. Now what would they want with that? They're off now. Driving at speed up the valley. Intriguing.'

He handed the field glasses back to Alvarez, rescued his glass of wine.

'You know,' he remarked, 'this American wine is really very good.'

'You saw the golf bags?' Alvarez said grimly.

'Of course. Usual method of carrying concealed weapons. Used it myself in the past. Rather effective in this neck of the woods. Just a bunch of chaps off to play a game or two of golf. Merges rather well into the landscape.'