Following Monty’s coordinates, they reached the Harpur Hill quarry shortly after eleven o’clock. A rocky track led them close to the huge square-cut pit, whose edges plunged steeply down towards the water that looked inky black in the darkness. Ben and Grace stepped out of the car and looked around them. The quarry appeared deserted, no vehicle lights or any sign of life to be seen. The driving icy rain was turning into sleet. Grace shivered and wrapped her coat around herself. ‘Is it just me, or is this kind of a weird place for a meeting?’

Ben was about to reply when he sensed something wasn’t right. ‘Shush.’

‘What?’

He moved back towards the car and reached for his bag. But before he could get to the shotgun inside it, a tall, thin shadow detached itself from the darkness and a figure stepped towards them.

Chapter 40

The figure said, ‘There’ll be no need for that, Major. Move away from the vehicle, please, keeping your hands where I can see them. Your lady friend, too.’

Ben and Grace stepped away from the car. The figure came closer. Tall, bony and stooped, wearing a long dark coat and a broad-brimmed hat that dripped with rain. And clutching an old service automatic that he had pointed at the two of them.

Ben didn’t like being sneaked up on, and if he hadn’t been tired and bleary-eyed from the long drive, the colonel would never have got the edge over him. Mistakes like that could cost you your life.

‘I apologise if I appear somewhat overcautious,’ Monty said. ‘But one can never be too careful, under the circumstances. I hope you won’t mind if I frisk you for concealed weapons?’

‘Be my guest, but you won’t find any,’ Ben said.

Monty was quick and efficient, and as discreet as possible when it came to searching a lady. Her hair was wet from the sleety rain and her eyes flashed a look of fear at Ben. He replied with a smile that said, ‘It’s okay.’

There were four moments during the search when Ben could have taken the pistol from him and turned the tables, but he held back. Once the colonel was confident that neither of them was armed, he waved the pistol towards the darkness. ‘My vehicle is parked over there. After you, if you please. But first, you’ll oblige me by giving me your car keys. You can have them back later.’