Shaw nodded. “Indeed I do. And I suppose Edo was asked to collect — right?”
“Bloody right! His people out here told me that if I didn’t do as they wanted, they’d see to it that there was a nice little calculated ‘leak’ that I’d worked for Russia in the past—and was still doing so. That I was a Communist spy. Obviously, that would have meant curtains for me. So — I pretended to go along with the Cult. I even went a little further and said I’d had a change of heart since being back in the West. You see, all the Cult knew about me were the bare facts that I was a scientist, that I’d been interned by the Nazis during the War and very badly treated by them — and that it was the nice, kind Russians who’d released me in the end. And of course they knew the basic fact that I’d quite genuinely worked for the Russians, even if at that time it was against my will. So it didn’t take too much fast talking on my part to convince them a little further — some of the leaders of the Cult are educated, westernized men, and they know about these things, but they don’t know enough on their own to sort out the sheep from the goats altogether. They knew that in the past it hadn’t been unknown for a scientist’s loyalties to change, and they knew that such men are apt to be thinkers, reasoners who don’t automatically accept all the dished-out dope, intelligent and even sensitive men.”
Hartog paused again, shrugging big shoulders. He went on, “Well, that became my line. As a pure physicist by early training, I told them, I knew what atomic war would mean and I hated to see my skill being used… you know the sort of thing — blah, blah, blah. I let it be known that I wouldn’t say no to the offer of a decent job inside Russia, working on electronics or atomic matters as applied to peaceful purposes, once this thing was over. I told them I was in sympathy with the anti-nuclear boys, the Aldermaston Marchers, and all that lot. I tell you — it was dead easy—”
“But couldn’t your security record disprove a lot of that?”
“Yes, I reckon so, but these bastards wouldn’t have access to that, would they? Anyway, I took that risk. They’d have had to have some one planted right inside the security sections in London and Washington to find out what was written about me, and evidently they hadn’t, so the chance paid off. And now I’ve been able to work myself into just the right position to find out exactly what their plans are as soon as they’ve got their orders themselves. So far, as I said, I haven’t got very far and I can’t even tell you the names of the local high-ups — they all use code names and code names only. I don’t know who Edo is yet, either. But I’ll find out. They’re such simpletons, Shaw, such goddam kids! If they hadn’t been that, they’d never have fallen for Edo in the first place, of course.”
“Which makes it all the worse that Edo and his friends are prepared to exploit them. Look, Hartog — what do you think about my theory that they might use inside assistance, say to prepare the way for an attack on the station?”
Hartog laughed. “Still meaning me? May as well be honest, my dear fellow! Anyway, the answer is — I think you’re on the wrong tack there.”
“Why?”
“Because there isn’t anyone they could use — so far as I know — except me. And they’ve never made any such suggestion to me. Of course, they’re delighted to have some one, as they think, from inside the base on their side, and I dare say the suggestion could come. If it does I’ll let you know!” “Uh-huh….” Shaw was about to say something else when there was a knock at the door and a naval rating came into the office.
He said, “Say, Mr Hartog, is this Commander Shaw?” Shaw said, “That’s me.”
“Well, a message has just come in on Commander Geisler’s line. It was from Colonel Mgelo—”
Hartog put in, “Chief of Police in Jinda.”
“—and he wants to see Commander Shaw right away. He’s sending a military plane into Manalati airfield to pick him up.”
Shaw remarked wryly, “They told me in Jinda the airfield was unserviceable.”
“Sure, that’s right — for civil aircraft with passengers,” the rating said. “Colonel Mgelo knows it’s risky but he says a military pilot can make it okay — you hope — and it’s the only way to get you back there real fast, sir.” He added, “He says it’s very important and the plane’ll be at Manalati within about an hour, okay?”
Shaw said, “Yes, thank you.” As the man left the office Hartog lifted an eyebrow. He said, “Seems I’m dead right. Could be they’ve got word about Edo.”
“Perhaps. Could I just use your phone, Hartog?”
“Course. Who d’you want to ring?”
Shaw said, “It might be a good idea just to check back with this Colonel Mgelo that the message really did come from him… you never can tell.”
There was a funny glitter in Hartog’s eye as he lifted his receiver and said thoughtfully, “Perhaps you’re right.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The call to Jinda did in fact confirm that Mgelo had rung and wanted to see Shaw — he had, he said, a lead to the girl, Gillian Ross. Shaw’s heart leapt at that, and he promised to get away the moment the plane touched down at Manalati.
Waiting a little later in Stephen Geisler’s room for the helicopter to be made ready again to fly him into Manalati, Shaw asked, “What’s your opinion of Hartog, Commander?”
The American didn’t seem surprised at the question; but he replied by asking, “Do I have to answer that?”
“No, but I would like your views very much.” Shaw smiled, crinkling his nose. “I’m here to help you, and the more I know about the whole set-up, the better I can do my job. You’ll appreciate that, I’m sure.”
“Why, yes.” Geisler shifted about nervily in his chair. “I don’t altogether hit it oil with him, he may have told you that. I don’t want to sound biased. I do try to be fair.”
“Of course. I realize it can be a ticklish business, this two-nation control. But you’ve no doubts about him in the line of security?”
Geisler was decisive on that point. “Oh, heck, no. He’s absolutely okay in that direction. Overkeen, I’d say.” He hesitated, rubbing thoughtfully at his forehead and frowning. “It’s just his personality, I guess. So goddam hasty and kind of overbearing. And impatient for results. Gets God Almighty het-up, you know what I mean? That’s what made him do this damfool stunt—” Geisler checked himself. “Did he tell you?”
“About joining the Cult — yes, he did. It was a risky thing to do and I’m not surprised you didn’t like it. All the same— it could pay off in the end.”
Geisler said, “Well, yes, maybe. But I’ll say I didn’t like it! As a serving officer on normal command duties — would you?”
Shaw grinned. “No, I wouldn’t.”
“See, the way I look at it, it’s not our job to get mixed up in that kind of thing. Could lead to all sorts of trouble, I guess. Could even mess things up for the people whose job it is, like you. I told him that.” He sighed. “Course, it’s partly the way we all get here at the base. Kind of gets a man down. That’s what’s happened to Julian. It’s that sort of atmosphere, if you get me. I’ve a feeling sometimes he’s going off his head, that he’ll crack up if he goes on like this.”