Read Online The Death Trade by Jack Higgins - Free Book Online Page A

thirty feet. Remember, the Thames is fiercely tidal, so the wreck of the cab could be swept away. No exchange of fire?”
    â€œAbsolutely not,” Dillon told him.
    â€œSo if it ever was examined—say, by the river police—it would pass as a very unfortunate accident.”
    â€œWhich you could say it was, in a manner of speaking,” Dillon told him.
    â€œSo that’s what we’ll leave it as.” Teague turned to Sara. “What a world we live in, ma’am. So pleased you’re in one piece. The Mini being usable, Mr. Dillon, I presume you’ll be driving back to Holland Park?”
    Dillon turned to Sara. “Would you rather go home?”
    â€œI think that would be a good idea. I’ve got to face them sometime, put on a show of normality.” She held out her hand to Teague. “I’m sure we’ll meet again, but I hope it’s later rather than sooner.”
    She went to the Mini, and Teague said, “A remarkable lady.”
    â€œYou can say that again. That al-Qaeda assassin had me in his sights, and she took him on with a spring blade. Saved my life.”
    â€œSo you owe her, and big-time. Always remember that, my friend.” Teague shook hands, went to the van where the others waited, got in, and was driven away.
    Dillon went to the Mini, where he found Sara behind the wheel. He slipped into the passenger seat. His only comment was “When you drop a gear and put your foot down hard, there’s a huge power surge. It’s the supercharger.”
    â€œThanks, I’ll bear that in mind,” she told him, switched on, and drove away. He selected a CD and music drifted out. Fred Astaire. As the intro played, Sara joined in, singing softly:
“There may be trouble ahead / But while there’s music and moonlight and love and romance / Let’s face the music and dance.”
    â€œGreat lyrics,” Dillon said.
    â€œA lesson for everybody.” She hummed along and never said another word until they reached South Audley Street and Highfield Court, where she drove into the drive. Dillon got out as she moved halfway to the house and turned. “Night bless, Sean, it’s been a sincere sensation. See you later.”
    â€œTake it easy,” he said, got behind the wheel, and reversed out of the drive.
    The front door opened to her, and Sadie, wrapped in a dressing gown, stood to one side as Sara entered and closed the door behind her. “It must be four o’clock in the morning, and you’ve been drinking, I can smell it.”
    â€œAnd singing in a piano bar.” Sara made for the stairs. “Is Granddad all right?”
    â€œWent to his bed hours ago. Honestly, Sara, I don’t know what’s to become of you.”
    â€œThat’s easy, Sadie, I’m going to Paris, so let me get to my bed and a few hours’ sleep while I can.”
    By now at the top of the stairs, she got the door of her room open, kicked off her boots, flung herself on the bed, still in her clothes, and was instantly asleep.
    â€”
    A t Holland Park, Dillon found Ferguson in a dressing gown and sitting with Roper, being served tea and bacon sandwiches by Sergeant Tony Doyle, who greeted Dillon cheerfully before anyone else could.
    â€œI expect you might fancy the same, Mr. Dillon.”
    â€œTony, you’ve got it exactly right,” Dillon told him. “But I think I’ve earned a Bushmills first.”
    Roper passed him the bottle. “Help yourself.”
    â€œAnd then I’d like an explanation.” Ferguson was annoyed, and it showed. “What in the hell have you been getting up to now? And what were you doing involving Captain Gideon?”
    â€œYou can rein in your horses right there, Charles. You had retired for the night, I was due to run Sara home, Giles here noticed a suspicious London cab hanging around. It could have been something or nothing, but ended up very much a