Part 37 (1/2)

”I insist” said Hunter.

”I don't need help' Thomas tugged his arm but the grip remained.

”I see,” said Hunter reflectively, not put off in the slightest.

”Am I to a.s.sume that you'll not be coming with me voluntarily?”

”You may a.s.sume what you like” ”VM well: said Hunter, releasing the arm gently. He turned and nodded to the two uniformed officers, then looked back to Thomas.

At the time, the two policemen moved with remarkable speed for large men.

”In that case” said Hunter with a sly smile of appreciation,

”I'm placing you under arrest. I'm terribly sorry.”

Thomas resisted slightly. Then it was nothing more than a blur as he was separated from his suitcase and shoved roughly against a concrete wall. By the time he looked down to his wrists there were handcuffs in place.

Chapter 14 Thomas was led from the immigration area and placed in the backseat of an unmarked dark-blue Rover. His luggage was placed in the trunk. He pulled slightly at the cuffs on his wrists and shuddered at the feeling of freedom diminished. He saw that the backseat of the car, which was separated from the front by a wire screen, had doors that could not be opened from the inside.

One of the uniformed men drove. The other stayed behind.

Hunter sidled into the front seat in front of Thomas, his expansive shoulders filling practically half of the frontarea. The Rover pulled away from the curb.

”Where are you taking me?” asked Thomas.

Hunter turned to face his prisoner.

”Are you worried?” he asked.

Thomas didn't answer. The porcine bearded face slowly creased into a grin.

”I wouldn't worry,” grunted Hunter.

”You're going exactly where you wanted to go. You really had very little choice about it. Mr. Peter Whiteside wants to see you himself.”

The Rover was on the motorway heading toward London.

Thomas looked out of the car apprehensively.

”How did you know where I was coming from?” he asked.

”Oh, come now, Mr. Daniels” said Hunter in a baritone chuckle.

”George McAdam?”

”We could have picked you up in Switzerland if we'd liked. But that might have been sticky, as well as unnecessary. Thank you for flying British Airways” Thomas settled back in the seat, calming slightly and seeing no alternative.

”Why couldn't I have gone to see Whiteside myself.”

”Because you have a nonexistent address:' growled Hunter.