Read Online The Avenue of the Dead by Evelyn Anthony - Free Book Online

had a couple of drinks.’
    â€˜Why a motel?’ she interposed.
    â€˜It’s on the banks of the Potomac. There’s an outside bar with a nice view. A lot of people go there. We didn’t go inside,’ he added, seeing her look. ‘There’s nothing like that as far as I’m concerned.’
    â€˜No business of mine if there is,’ she said. ‘I just want to know the score. What did she say?’
    â€˜The same old thing, more or less,’ he answered. ‘How unhappy she was, how lonely, and how she wished people would believe her when she told them she was in danger. All good, melodramatic stuff. That’s the trouble with her – she’s difficult to take seriously. And very often by the time she gets to me she’s half pissed from lunch.’
    â€˜When she talks about danger,’ Davina said, ‘what kind of danger? Has she ever been specific?’
    â€˜Yes,’ Neil said flatly. ‘Several times. Says she’s convinced Fleming is going to murder her.’ He glanced at Hickling who nodded. ‘She’s hinted that she knows something about him. I tried to get details but she clams up. It’s all hints and intuition – if you press her she starts to cry, or acts up.’
    â€˜Tell me,’ Davina said quietly, ‘do you believe her?’
    â€˜No,’ the young man said. ‘I don’t. I think she’s a lush who can’t face being out of the spotlight. Personally, Fleming has my sympathy.’
    â€˜I imagine he has a lot of people’s,’ she remarked. ‘How many other confidants has she got? Women friends, men friends beside yourself?’
    â€˜Nobody close,’ Hickling answered. ‘Acquaintances, superficial social stuff but no real friends. Women don’t take to her, and the men are scared to mess with her because Fleming’s got such a big job. Nobody wants to get in wrong with him or the Oval Office. They’re that close.’
    â€˜I see,’ Davina said. She sipped a little of the martini and grimaced. Lomax was right; it was rot-gut. ‘She must be very lonely then. That doesn’t help if you’re turning a bit paranoid.’
    â€˜You’ll see for yourself.’
    â€˜I’ll try, anyway,’ Davina said. ‘Starting with lunch tomorrow.’
    â€˜Don’t have the steak,’ Lomax mumbled out loud. ‘It’s like old shoe leather.’
    â€˜Mr Lomax,’ she said, her tone very curt, ‘I don’t think you’ve ever been to the Unicorn in your life. Goodnight everyone.’
    The paper came down a few inches. ‘Goodnight, Miss Graham.’ When the door closed, he lowered the paper to his knee. ‘My God – that’s a bossy female.’
    Hickling laughed. ‘She doesn’t appreciate your sense of humour.’
    â€˜So I notice,’ Lomax retorted. ‘And how do you like taking orders from a woman?’
    â€˜From that particular woman I don’t mind. And off the record, I’d be a bit more tactful if I were you. Watch the sexist attitude, or you might find you’ve made a fool of yourself.’
    â€˜It doesn’t worry me if she gets her jackboots out. As far as I’m concerned women are a bloody nuisance. If they’re not strutting around trying to pretend they’re better than we are, they’re getting in the way when there’s trouble. They should stick at home and mind the babies!’
    He got up, stretched, looked at each in turn and said, ‘If you think I’m a male chauvinist pig, you’re damned right!’ He went out of the office and didn’t close the door quietly.
    â€˜Well,’ Browning said, ‘That’s going to be a happy partnership! Why ever did they send him out here? He ought to be leading the charge of the Light Brigade!’
    â€˜He’s got quite a reputation,’ Hickling answered. ‘Very highly decorated