Bodie and Doyle drove to Gail Fletcher's address on Cannon Street Road only to find that she had left the country. The manager of the building, a cozy little woman who offered them tea from a sterling silver teapot, was only too happy to tell the two CI5 officers all about her tenant's trip. "She's going to see Paris. She promised to send me postcards. I haven't gotten one yet, but then she's only been gone two days. I don't suppose a postcard would have had time to arrive."
"No, I don't suppose so," said Doyle. "Mrs Brown…"
"Amelia."
"Amelia." Doyle tried again. "Do you know when Miss Fletcher was planning to arrive at Paris?"
The little woman shook her head. "She talked about it but I have no idea what her itinerary was." She said primly, "I am not the sort of property manager who pries into tenants' affairs."
"No, of course not."
While Doyle pondered his next question, Amelia Brown leaned over to speak to Bodie. "You haven't touched your tea, young man. You really should drink it." At her innocent words, Bodie grew so tense that the little woman was alarmed. "Is something wrong?"
Doyle, seeing the strange look in his partner's eyes, jumped up and took his arm. "Yes, well, thank you for your time, Mrs Brown. Amelia." He smiled, pushing Bodie towards the door. "You have my number, so please give me a ring if you hear from Miss Fletcher."
He got Bodie outside and leaned him up against the wall. "Are you all right?"
"No." The dark-haired man looked dazed but after a moment he said hesitantly, "It happened again. The old girl said to drink the tea and it brought back…something…someone telling me…no, ordering me to drink tea…" Bodie looked imploringly at his partner. "I'm scared, Ray."
Doyle's hands tightened on his friend's shoulders. "We'll figure it out." He dropped his hands and said decisively, "Let's check in with Cowley, tell him to alert the French police. I'd very much like to speak to Gail Fletcher."