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large and twisted the opposite way to the lips. The flesh was bloated, the head unbalanced, one vicious eye lower than the other. She had the impression the head might leap out at her, the teeth tearing her face. She felt her heart beating faster. The picture was terrifying.
    'He was in a bad mood when I painted that,' Marienetta said calmly as she reversed the board back to show the lifelike version.
    'Must have been something he'd eaten,' Newman said standing at Paula's shoulder.
    Marienetta chuckled, then began laughing and couldn't stop. Taking out a silk handkerchief she placed it over her mouth, turned to Newman.
    'Bob, I love your sense of humour. That was really funny.'
    Paula glanced beyond Newman. Tweed was standing perfectly still. He had the grimmest expression Paula had ever seen.

    3

    Marienetta accompanied them down in the special lift. As they walked out she paused to have a word with a uniformed guard. Tweed was walking with Paula to the exit while Newman collected his revolver and bullets from the desk when Broden appeared. Earlier he had worn a grey business suit but now he was clad in a rough-haired sports jacket and corduroy trousers tucked inside knee-length leather boots. The gamekeeper, Paula thought.
    'Hope you enjoyed your session with Cat's Eye,' he barked.
    'Cat's Eye?' Paula queried.
    'That's what the staff call Marienetta behind her back. Jasper has gone to fetch your car, Newman.'
    'I don't think you realize how your voice carries,' said Marienetta as she joined them, giving Broden a radiant smile. 'Now could you please go outside and make sure the coast is clear for Mr Tweed and his party to leave?'
    Broden tightened his lips, strode off. A minute later he beckoned. They went through the same business of passing through the revolving door one by one. Broden was on the pavement when, on the top step, Paula gripped Tweed's arm.
    'That strange lady is still waiting across the street.'
    'Strange lady?' His thoughts were miles away.
    'The one who is so small and still. Wearing a pale green coat and a dark green fur hat.'
    'As I said before, you get all kinds of visitors coming to London.'
    'Which woman is that?' demanded Broden who had run back up the steps. 'Oh, I see her. She was here when you arrived?'
    'I'm not sure,' Paula said quickly. 'Let her be.'
    'Jasper,' Broden called out to the doorman, 'check out Fur Hat standing across the street, why she's hanging round here for for so long.'
    Broden disappeared inside the building as Tweed walked down the steps, got inside the front passenger seat. Paula gazed across the street but then Newman was driving off.
    'I hope Jasper doesn't spot her camera,' she remarked.
    'Camera?' Tweed asked, turning round.
    'Yes, she had a small camera in her hands, rather like mine. She used it when we arrived and again as we left.'
    'She's not committing an offence,' Tweed replied. 'Now what did you think of the Arbogasts?'
    'They're a very unusual family. I thought I sensed an aura of hatred in Roman's office.'
    'Sophie,' Newman commented, 'doesn't feel they take enough notice of her. I rather liked her. She's got brains behind that rather quiet front she assumes.'
    'Marienetta was nice to her.'
    'Neither of you have noticed the absence of something,' Tweed said. 'Roman never said a word about the visit of the American Vice-President. And I'm sure it was Roman he went to see. Who else in the building would he want to talk to? And what is the link between Roman and Russell Straub?'
    'Can't imagine Roman controls many votes in an elec tion in the States,' Newman replied. 'And votes are the only thing politicians are interested in. Probably all about nothing.'
    'Maybe,' said Tweed.

    * * *
    Their car was stationary. Ahead as far as the eye could see was a solid block of cars, bumper to bumper. The stone buildings hemming them in on either side were grimy. The pavements were crammed with pedestrians. Lunchtime. Men and women shoved their way along. In doorways stood