Part 25 (1/2)

'Eleni' Charles paused Now he thought about it, perhaps he had seen the name in some of Anna Bauer's diaries He shook his head 'No Can't say it rings a bell'

'Ah, what a shame Never raph You knohat I find interesting? There's an Eleni Council in existence in Budapest to this day'

'So?'

'You're right, of course Just a coincidence' Beckett laughed 'There's a Round Table club in Oxford but I suspect its hts' He looked back at the document in his hands, rolled it up and inserted it back into its tube, replacing the cap 'How's Nicole?'

His prickle of tension beginning to ease, Charles smiled 'She's well'

'Been a long ti Dinner'

Charles stood 'Yes Let's set so up'

They shook hands, and Charles walked back along the path towards the Danby Gate He glanced back at Beckett once on his way out The olderat the water lilies

CHAPTER 16

Snowdonia Now Dusk had descended by the time Hannah, Gabriel and Leah arrived back at Llyn Gwyr As the light leached frousted around theravel courtyard at the back of the far before theht in the kitchenguarded against the approaching night

Hannah brought the hs ached, and she lifted each foot behind her, trying to ease the tension in herastride Salomon 'Saddle-sore?' he asked

She nodded 'Thank you for today'

'The pleasure was mine' He turned to Leah 'Did you enjoy yourself, littledown fro its muzzle 'I loved it Valantin's a beautiful horse'

'That he is'

'Leah, it's tioodbye to Gabriel,' Hannah said 'Go on into the house I'll see you in a irl was inside, Hannah turned back to hi at the s of the farmhouse 'Is he inside?'

'Who?'

'Theabout hi h to call Hannah Wilde his wife' He laughed 'See how I stack up'

'You don't'

Gabriel laughed harder 'Ah, you're a cruel woman, Hannah'

'And you're a terrible flirt' Hannah unclipped the reins froether She walked over to his horse, passed hi soon, so I probably won't see you It was niceyou, Gabriel Truly I actually hope you don't end upthose hounds'

Gabriel reached down and shook her hand 'The Cn Annon't catchto sos for once Goodbye, Hannah Wilde' Clicking his tongue at the horses, he rode out of the courtyard

She watched hie and ride up the track to the main road

In the kitchen, she found Nate in an ar corned beef fro herself before the e excitedly

Nate looked up as Hannah closed the kitchen door and locked it 'Hoas our friend?'

'Strange,' she said 'Stranger still, ent past Seb's place Our hermit friend had company'

'What? Who?'

'TwoAudi 4x4' Hannah pulled down the blind above the glass in the door She drew the curtains across the'Anything happen here?'

'Not a thing'

'I don't like this at all, Nate So around to find out what'

'What did Gabriel have to say?'

'He asked a lot of questions about you'

'He did?' Nate frowned, studied her 'Do you think'

'I don't know' She blew out through her cheeks, trying to slow her heartbeat 'I'ht now I think we should leave'

'OK Do you want to wait until first light?'

'Not really I'd like us to go this minute But it makes sense We need to pack up'

'We can secure this place for the night Leave at sunrise'

She nodded 'We all sleep in the sareed'

'Muhter, disirl, crouching at her feet 'Oh, sca to be OK, isn't it? We're not going to die?'

Nate reached out and stroked his daughter's head 'Absolutely not That's why Mummy and Daddy are here To keep you safe To keep us all safe'

'He got you The Bad Man He hurt you'

'And I' Just wait till you see the place your Mummy found for us You'll be safe there The Bad Man won't find us I promise you'