He went out of the room. In the doorway, he turned and looked at her. She was still standing in front of the fireplace. He grinned at her. A moment later she heard the front door close.
Vallon started up the car and drove along the winding road that leads from Marldon to Paignton. Half a mile from the house he pulled the car up on the grass verge. He switched on the interior light; took the cheque out of his pocket. It was made payable to cash or bearer. It was for two thousand pounds.
Vallon got out of the car. He stood on the grass verge looking at the moon. He took out his cigarette case; put the cigarette in his mouth; snapped on his lighter. He lit the cigarette. Then he put the flame of the lighter to the corner of the cheque. He held it till it burned away. He got into the car; dr
