Spanish Inquisition by Elizabeth Darrell Page A

woman’s subsequent actions.
    Tom delivered the coup de grace to the Signals’ lieutenant’s fears. ‘I watched Norton give a bravura performance on stage only eight hours after receiving that transmission, and another of equal vivacity at the party that followed. Bill Jensen saw her still flirting with three admirers when he was waiting to lock the place up. Is that the behaviour of a woman worried by what she had been privy to?’
    â€˜A red herring?’ suggested Max.
    â€˜One we should put in the freezer and only defrost when all else has been chewed over and spat out.’
    â€˜Or when . . . as the Anglo-Chinese beauty left tantalizingly unfinished.’ Max frowned. ‘I suspect there’s another storm brewing which, when it arrives, could very probably concern SIB.’
    Any comment Tom might have made on that was deferred by the ring tone of Max’s mobile. His expression as he answered sent Tom hotfoot from the room.
    â€˜Good morning, Captain Goodey,’ Max said, knowing Keith Pinkney had meant what he said.
    â€˜Where are you?’
    â€˜About ten minutes’ drive from where you are.’
    â€˜I’ll look for you in ten minutes, then.’
    â€˜Yes, ma’am.’
    He hummed lightheartedly as he travelled the perimeter road. Just the sound of Clare’s voice had banished the ache between his shoulders. Also the feeling that he was on the outside looking in. As he approached the Medical Centre he saw Clare emerge and stand waiting. Their reunion would have been better at the riverside inn, but the sight of her put such warmth in his veins he had no further doubts about the kind of relationship he wanted with this calm but commanding woman. He recalled her words at their intitial meeting. ‘I’m small, slim and female, but don’t let any man on this base underestimate me.’
    He drew up and was surprised when she slid on to the passenger seat. ‘Follow that car,’ she instructed in the manner of film detectives, pointing to a three-ton truck lumbering past.
    â€˜With siren and flashing blue lights?’ he asked teasingly.
    She kept her eyes on the road. ‘There’ll be sirens and flashing lights by the time I’ve finished with you. Park your car in the empty slot furthest from the Mess, unless you want everyone to hear what I’m going to say, then fall silent when we enter.’
    Only then did he realize that she was seriously angry, and swiftly prepared a defence. Reaching the Officers’ Mess, he drove to the far side of the car park where the hedge that had been burned down four months ago showed signs of springtime new growth. Coming to a halt with the bonnet facing away from the large square building he switched off, released the seat belt and turned to face her.
    â€˜What the hell do you think you’re doing?’ she demanded with quiet venom, her blue eyes blazing. ‘You’d already gone when I woke up this morning; gone without leaving a message for me. I assumed you’d headed for the nearest supermarket to stock up, then Duncan came in just now and mentioned that he’d seen you going into SIB Headquarters a couple of hours ago.’
    Trust him to be the one who reported my movements to her, Max thought savagely, jealousy of the large, handsome Scot still lurking beneath the surface of his feelings for Clare.
    â€˜The three months’ leave considered necessary for convalescence by a panel of doctors when you left the hospital has two more weeks to run. You then have to undergo a thorough examination by that same panel before any decision is made on your fitness to return to full duties.’
    â€˜I haven’t,’ he protested, but she was not listening.
    â€˜You left Spain without reference to me, and . . .’
    â€˜I ensured your property was spotless and secure.’
    â€˜. . . and sneaked into your apartment hoping I wouldn’t know you were back,