The Main Chance Read Free Page A

illumination came from the fire. Hardly any light from outside penetrated the room through the small windows.
    A tall man, probably in his late forties, hurried across to meet them. He wore an expensive blue pinstriped suit; his shirt was pristine white, his tie Chanel. White cuffs decorated with gold links protruded from his sleeves. He was smiling and there was something dominant in his jutting jaw.
    `I am Marshal Main, managing director of this outfit. You are the most interesting visitors we've had in a long time.'
    `Why?' asked Tweed as Main shook hands with both of them.
    `What can we offer you in the way of refreshment? I think just about anything is available.'
    `Coffee would be pleasant,' Tweed replied.
    `Me too, please', added Paula.
    `How do you like it, sir?' enquired Snape, standing behind them as erect as a sentry.
    `Black as sin. So does Paula.'
    `Well —' Main burst out laughing — 'you're in the right place. Plenty of sin round here. Come and sit down.' He took Paula's arm, squeezed it, staring at her. She didn't like it.
    As Snape left, closing the door silently, Main escorted them to an antique table circled with four armchairs near the fire. Paula was watching a woman further down the library. She was standing behind a hard-backed chair, listening quietly.
    She was in her late thirties, Paula estimated, and extremely attractive. Slim, she had long beautifully coiffeured black hair reaching her shoulders. Her eyebrows were thick and below them her features were perfectly sculpted. Her eyes were large, her nose was straight and just long enough above a firm mouth and determined chin. She smiled at Paula, who immediately smiled back.
    Main, who seemed to miss nothing, jumped up swiftly. All his movements were agilely quick.
    `Oh, my God! I'm forgetting my manners. Lavinia, do come and join us.' He slid a spare armchair in between Tweed's and Paula's. "This is Lavinia, my daughter. She's my heart's desire.'
    Tweed thought the words odd as Lavinia settled herself next to him. She smiled, gazed at her father.
    `Just so long as you don't try and carry that too far.'
    `Why?' Tweed again asked Main.
    `What?' he replied, puzzled
    `Mr Tweed is referring to your remark that we have the most interesting visitors we've had in a long time. Probably he's wondering if you say that to everyone who comes here,' she chaffed him in her appealing soft voice.
    `Stuff and nonsense!' he barked, briefly annoyed. Turning to Tweed he exuded amiability again. 'Because you are Deputy Director of the SIS — and you've brought with you the lady you place most trust in. Also I can tell already you both have exceptional intellects and brainpower.'
    `Bella always does her homework before she agrees to meet here,' Lavinia said.
    `She always tries to counter me,' Main said irritably. `I just like accuracy,' Lavinia told him.
    `Which is why,' Main told them, 'she is the chief accountant.
    Snape appeared with a silver tray with the coffee. Placing small mats in front of Tweed and Paula, he poured from a large silver coffee pot. The china was Royal Doulton. Snape looked at Lavinia.
    `Nothing for me,' she told him.
    Snape had just left silently when the room exploded. The door was flung open, banging back against the panelled wall. A young woman flew into the library. Late twenties, Paula estimated. Long red hair, a pretty face with sensuous lips and staring green eyes. Lavinia leaned close to Paula, whispered.
    `Sorry about this. She's a bit wild.'
    Paula turned round. The redhead wore a low-cut top held up by thin shoulder straps. She had a good figure and wore well-pressed jeans. Paula found herself comparing her attire with Lavinia's: she wore a brown skirt which just reached her knees, and above that was a dark velvet jacket, half-zipped up. Underneath was a white blouse buttoned up to the neck. One hell of a contrast with what had just blown in.
    The redhead darted forward, placed both hands on Tweed's shoulders. She was smiling broadly.