Dutch Courage Read Online Free

posters on the car – all that without telling her husband because she didn’t want to add to the stress he’s under as an operational pilot. Told me if he makes an error when flying it endangers his passengers’ lives as well as his own.’ He paused for breath. ‘She could have been killed or injured this morning if she hadn’t kept her head, and used her obvious intelligence by making a sudden sharp turn on to that track leading to the pumping station. She reckons the guy who tried to force her off the road is a member of Collier’s squadron.’
    â€˜It’s always one of the victim’s colleagues, if you recall.’ Further study of Tom’s expression made him add, ‘Doesn’t this obviously intelligent woman realize her stressed husband will have to be told all if we do as she wants?’
    â€˜I made that very clear, but this morning’s attack has left her afraid it wouldn’t stop at that. She believes someone means to kill her next time . . . and she’s pregnant.’
    They stared at each other across the desk. It was a direct goad and they both knew it. Max was disappointed that his old friend should employ such a tactic, but it was to good effect.
    â€˜Then you had better keep your word and investigate, Sar’nt Major.’
    There was an uneasy pause before Tom said, ‘Sorry, that was a bit below the belt, sir. It’s her fear of miscarrying a third time that has led her to act now. I do honestly believe this is more serious than cases we’ve come across before, because she revealed that her husband has also been receiving anonymous threatening letters. I’m confident this is a case for SIB not Uniform.’
    Max gave a nod and turned pointedly to the paperwork in his tray. ‘Collier doesn’t sound much of a hero if he lets his missus fight his battles for him.’
    Tom walked to his car feeling uncomfortable about the conversation with his boss, with whom he had a long-standing, warm relationship. They had served together in the past and both had welcomed the chance to do so again when Max was sent out to command 26 Section after double tragedy struck the former OC. The reference to the pregnant Margot Collier perhaps meeting death in a road accident had been out of order, Tom knew, but it had been born of his eagerness to chase up a situation he found highly intriguing. Besides, he had assured the victim SIB would act on her information.
    678 Squadron, Army Air Corps had its hangars, workshops and operational pad way out on the furthest extremity of the base. Pulling up outside the Admin offices, Tom went in to ask the present whereabouts of Lieutenant Collier.
    The blonde lance-corporal at the desk gave this apparent civilian in a dark-blue suit a straight look. ‘Not another reporter! There can’t be anything more to be squeezed from that story. Don’t you people realize the lads are doing things like that all the time on active service – except they aren’t married to bloody generals’ daughters.’
    So the resentment was pretty widespread, was it? Tom followed up on her words. ‘You think that’s the only reason Collier’s being hailed as a hero so extensively?’
    â€˜Stands to reason,’ she agreed with a nod. ‘He’s being pushed to the top by “Daddy” so he’ll be worthy enough for the family. Feel a bit sorry for him, really. He’s basically a nice guy. But he must have seen the writing on the wall before they got hitched, and he still went ahead.’
    â€˜Probably couldn’t help himself,’ mused Tom, thinking of the impact of the woman he had met a few hours ago.
    â€˜You can say that again. She homed in on him and marched him up the aisle before he knew what had hit him. Daft sod!’
    Tom swiftly held up his SIB identification. ‘If I was from the press you’d have just committed a chargeable offence,