Read Online Rendezvous With Danger by Margaret Pemberton - Free Book Online

leave?’ I managed to ask.
    â€˜What’s this—the inquisition?’ he asked good-humouredly. ‘I left immediately I dropped you off. Well, not quite immediately, but when I got back to Ohringen there was a message for me requiring my presence in Koblenz. By rights I should have stayed the night, but as I had a date this morning with a particularly beautiful young woman, I spared no expense in getting back as quickly as possible. Now, are you ready?’
    I simply couldn’t stop staring at him. ‘Did you drive there in that?’ I said at last, nodding in the direction of the car.
    â€˜Yes. It may not be a Mercedes and what you’re used to of late, but it’s quite serviceable, and more than capable of making the journey to Koblenz and back in an evening. There’s no need to be nervous. It won’t suddenly die a death miles from anywhere, leaving us stranded.’ He took a step towards me. ‘What is it? Something bothering you? You don’t look well.’
    â€˜I …’
    â€˜Come on.’ He took my arm. ‘Let’s sit in the car. Clowning apart, Susan, I really am sorry about this morning. But it was unavoidable.’
    He opened the car door for me and I sat obediently in the passenger seat.
    â€˜You don’t look at all well this morning,’ he repeated. ‘What’s wrong?’
    â€˜Nothing. It’s just a headache.’
    â€˜Have you taken anything for it?’
    â€˜No, it isn’t that bad. I must talk to you, Stephen. Something …’
    â€˜All in good time. First, I’m getting you something for that headache. You look like death.’
    â€˜No, Stephen. Please! …’
    But he had already darted across the road into the chemist’s. I took a deep breath, trying to think and to think straight. Why on earth was Stephen so persistent in saying he had gone to Koblenz? If he had gone, he hadn’t left Niedernhall until well after eight o’clock.
    I reached for a cigarette but my handbag was still indoors. Without thinking I opened Stephen’s glove compartment to see if he had left his cigarettes there.
    The gun was loosely folded in a yellow duster, and visible. It looked brand new. I reached out and touched it lightly with my finger-tips. The cold metal was no figment of my imagination. This, at least, was real.
    I was aware of Stephen standing on the opposite side of the road, waiting to cross, and I shut the door on it hastily. Sick and trembling, I stared straight ahead as he opened his door and slipped in next to me. I didn’t want to look at him any more. All I wanted to do was go back into the house, shut the door, and try desperately to pretend none of this was happening.
    â€˜Here, take these, they’ll make you feel better. Perhaps going out this afternoon isn’t such a good idea after all. Anyway you’ll need this afternoon to pack.’
    â€˜Pack!’ I faced him in amazement.
    â€˜Nothing elaborate. Just enough for two or three days. We can tour around, go where the fancy takes us.’
    â€˜I’m sorry. I really can’t.’
    â€˜Nonsense, Susan. It will be great fun.’
    I shook my head. ‘No, Stephen, I mean it. I’m not coming.’
    I could see two or three cars approaching the village from the direction of Kunzelsau and felt a little better. Gunther wouldn’t be much longer and then I could pack my bags and go south, forget completely about Stephen’s existence …
    â€˜Susan, I don’t want to make an issue of this, but I want you to come with me.’
    It wasn’t a request, it was a command.
    I forced myself to look straight at him. It was obviously useless to argue. ‘All right then,’ I agreed. ‘Why not?’
    Why not indeed? By the time he came for me I would be well on my way to the Alps.
    â€˜That’s my girl. You won’t regret it, I promise you. I’ll be back for you about