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

bullet had hit me, it would have been weeks, months even, before I was found. And now his urgency to take me away for a few days …
    Walking in the direction of Frau Schmidt’s, on the far side of the village street, was Christina. I rose from the table, calling to her from the open doorway. Her face broke into a wide grin, and with an acknowledging wave she began to thread her way across the crowded street. I ordered another coffee and went back to wait for her. Her gaiety, when she joined me, was like a breath of fresh air.
    â€˜This is most fortunate, Susan. I was just on my way to return your scarf to you.’
    â€˜Oh, Christina, I hope you didn’t come all this way for that.’
    She laughed. ‘It was no trouble. My father has gone to Bad Mergentheim and he dropped me off on the way. To tell the truth, I was reluctant to bring it back at all.’ She fingered the fine silk enviously. ‘ It’s a beautiful scarf, very Bond Street!’
    Impulsively, I said, ‘Keep it.’
    She looked up, startled. ‘I couldn’t possibly do that. I didn’t mean …’
    â€˜I know you didn’t, but please take it. It will suit you far better than it does me. Red never was my colour.’
    She put the scarf over her head, turning to see her reflection in the window.
    â€˜Thank you very much, Susan. It’s beautiful.’
    Then she said innocently, ‘I thought you were going out with Stephen today?’
    My smile faded. ‘ There was a change of plan. Actually I’m leaving here today.’
    â€˜Oh? Stephen is leaving as well.’
    I looked up sharply. ‘Are you sure?’
    â€˜Yes, I heard him asking my father for his bill this morning.’
    I stared at her. It seemed that Mr Maitland and his friends were about to make a speedy withdrawal. Unless they were already in the hands of the police. I glanced at my watch. It was an hour and a half since Gunther had gone to them. It was possible. Any feeling I may have had for the handsome and charming Mr Maitland died a rapid death. Whatever happened to him, he deserved …
    â€˜I believe Stephen is calling at Oberammergau,’ Christina said. ‘He made a phone call to the Alte Post this morning.’
    â€˜He may only have been phoning a friend there—he seems to have lots of friends scattered about Germany.’
    â€˜If it was a friend, he works on the reservation desk.’ She stirred her coffee thoughtfully. ‘I don’t know what’s the matter with Stephen this last day or two, he’s been like a bear with a sore head.’
    It was a little while before either of us spoke again. I was mentally planning a route southwards that would give Oberammergau the widest berth possible, and Christina was pondering on her guest’s change of personality. It was a great temptation not to tell her exactly what kind of man the devastating Mr Maitland really was, and why he had such a lot on his mind, but I resisted the urge. She would find out the truth soon enough.
    My thoughts were interrupted by her saying cheerily, ‘Have a good journey, Susan. I must go now. My father is picking me up at the crossroads at three. There are all the teas to prepare yet, and as for the scarf, I don’t know how to thank you. I am glad to have met you.’
    I watched her as she walked quickly down the crowded street past Frau Schmidt’s, the scarlet headsquare bobbing distinctively between the sombre, black-shawled heads of the village women. It could almost have been myself heading towards the bridge. I glanced once more at my watch. It should be myself. Enough of my holiday had been ruined already. Purposefully I rose and paid the bill. I would go via Kunzelsau, meeting Gunther on the way, or at the police station. I could say goodbye to him there, discharging my public duty at the same time. And make my way to Austria.
    The sun was already on its way to the west as I stepped out