Exocet

'Correct. Can you handle it?'

'No problem. We'll fly down in the Chieftain in the morning. I'll take the colonel with me.'

'Excellent. How did you find the Legrand woman?'

'Very impressive indeed. I might suggest that she comes down with us.'

'Do you think she will?'

'Maybe. They're obviously crazy about each other.'

'Actually, it's not such a bad idea,' Belov said.

'Why?'

'I don't know. There's something about her that doesn't quite fit. One gets an instinct for these things.'

'You'd better check her out thoroughly then.'

'Oh, I will. I'll be in touch tomorrow. Ring you at Maison Blanche.'

Donner put down the phone and took his time over lighting a cigarette, looking across at Gabrielle, thinking about what Belov had said. God, but she was beautiful, but it was so much more than that. He had been content to use women carelessly all his life, had never experienced any great difficulties with them until now. He shook his head in a kind of reluctant admiration and realised, with some surprise, that he had never wanted a woman so much.

From the dance floor, Wanda glanced across at him, saw the expression on his face and said to Montera, 'She means a lot to you, that lady?'

'Everything,' he said simply.

'Then watch him,' she said. 'He's used to getting what he wants.'

As the music finished, he smiled and kissed her hand. 'You're too good for him.'

She smiled sadly. 'You're wrong. I'm no good for anything else.'

As they reached the table, Donner joined them. 'I've just had a phone call,' he said to Montera. 'That business transaction of ours takes place Saturday. It means we'll have to fly down to Lancy in the morning. I've taken an old house in the country, Maison Blanche. Very relaxing.'

Montera's heart sank. 'If you say so.'

Donner turned to Gabrielle. 'How would you feel about a couple of days in the country?'

'I don't think so,' she said, and then saw the look on Montera's face and realised how little time would be left to them now. For the moment it drove all considerations about her mission for Ferguson out of her mind.

'Sleep on it,' Donner said.

She stood up. 'And now, if you'll excuse me. I'm very tired.'

'Of course,' Donner said. 'A great pleasure.'

He watched them go, frowning slightly, paused to pay the bill, then walked out without a word to Wanda, who hurried after him desperately, unsure of her balance on the ultra-high heels she wore.

He was on the pavement waiting for a taxi, lighting a cigarette, the match flaring in his cupped hands, when she caught up with him.

He said, without looking at her, 'You made me look a fool in there, you know that?'

'I'm sorry, Felix.'

'I'll think of something good,' he said. 'Very special. The kind of thing you won't forget in a hurry.' He pushed her chin up with the tips of his fingers. 'Give you something to think about, won't it?'

* * *

Back at her apartment, Gabrielle mixed herself a whisky sour and paced up and down angrily.

'That man is the most disgusting object I have ever encountered. Everything I hate. Do you have to do business with him?'

'I'm afraid so, but forget him,' he said. 'I've got something for you.' He took a small package from his pocket. 'After you left me this afternoon I called a cab and went shopping.'

The elegant wrapper said Carrier. She opened it and took out a velvet covered box. Inside was a beautiful ring, or rather, three rings, intertwined in different shades of gold.

'It's what they call a Russian wedding ring,' he told her. 'Usually worn on the little finger of the left hand.'

'I know.'

'I had to make an informed guess about the size. If it is wrong, simply call at Carder's at any time and ask for a Monsieur Bresson. He'll see to it for you. May I put it on?'

She held out her hand and he slipped on the ring. 'I think it might be just a little slack.'

She shook her head, staring down at it. 'No,' she said in a low voice. 'It's perfect.'

'A token,' he said. 'Of…' He hesitated and grinned crookedly. 'My big moment and I can't find the words. God help me, but I must do this thing properly. Do you think there's the remotest possibility that you might be interested in marrying a rather ageing fighter pilot who, finding himself too old for jet planes now, may prove rather difficult to handle?'

There were tears in her eyes and she put a hand on his arm. 'Raul, do something for me.'

'Anything.'

'Go for a walk. I'd like to be alone for a little while.'

He was full of concern. 'I'm sorry. I'll go back to my apartment. Perhaps I can see you in the morning before I leave.'

'No.' Her voice rose in a kind of panic. 'I want you to come back.'

'Of course, my love.' He kissed her gently. 'Half an hour,' and went and let himself out.

* * *

'Gabrielle,' she said, when Villiers picked up the phone.

'Anything for me?'

She took a deep breath and said, 'Donner joined us tonight. I heard him tell Raul that the transaction was to take place on Saturday morning and that it would be necessary to fly to Lancy in the morning. I don't know where that is.'

'Brittany,' he said. 'It fits in with facts we already know.'

'He suggested I flew down with them. The house they're staying at is called Maison Blanche.'

'And you said yes?'

'I want out, Tony. I can't take any more.'

'I know it's hard,' he said. 'But it has to be done. I know what you think of Montera. As a man, I admire him totally, but he is the enemy, Gabrielle, and we're not talking about personalities. We're talking about stopping Exocets.'

'It's no good,' she said.

'All right. I'm not going to twist your arm. I'll try and handle it without you. But you'll have to tell Ferguson. Check with me in the morning, in case you change your mind.'

He put down the receiver, picked it up again and dialled the number of the Cavendish Place flat in London. It was Harry Fox who answered the phone.

'Bad news from the front,' Villiers told him. 'Gabrielle's ust been in touch. Things are working well, but she feels she can't keep it up. She wants out.'

'All right,' Fox said. 'Leave it with me.'

* * *

Gabrielle poured herself another drink and sipped a little to steady her nerves, but it had to be done. She sat down and dialled Ferguson's number in London. He answered the phone himself almost instantly.

'Ferguson.'

'Gabrielle.'

His voice changed. 'My dear girl, have you been out? I tried to ring you several times earlier.'

'Yes, to dinner,' she said. 'Why?'

There was a pause and she was filled with a sudden foreboding.

'Look, this isn't easy,' he said. 'We tried to reach your mother and stepfather but it seems they're on a yacht cruising the Greek Islands.'

It could only be one thing, of course. 'Richard?' she whispered.

'Yes, my dear. I'm terribly sorry to have to pass you such news. He's reported missing believed killed in flying operations near Port Stanley.'

'Oh, God,' Gabrielle said, and for a brief moment saw him at his passing-out parade, proud in the naval uniform, a handsome, smiling boy.

'Naturally, I realise the effect this unfortunate business will have on you,' Ferguson said. 'In the circumstances it would probably be better to pull you out.'

'No,' she said wearily. 'No point in that. Not now. Thank you and goodnight Brigadier.'

She sat there staring at the phone, then picked it up and dialled Villiers' number again. He answered at once.

'I've changed my mind, Tony. I'll fly down with Raul and Donner tomorrow to this place Lancy. I can't give you the address of Donner's house there though.'

'No problem,' he said. 'Harvey and I will drive down overnight. We'll find it.' He hesitated. 'Is anything wrong? What made you change your mind?'