Exocet

'Richard's dead,' she said. 'Killed in action. It's got to stop, Tony, for everyone's sake. Too many dead already.'

'Oh, my God,' Villiers said and she put down the phone.

* * *

Ferguson sighed. 'A remarkable girl.'

Harry Fox said, 'She won't pull out?'

'No.'

'How did she take it?'

'How the hell do I know, Harry. The important thing is how long she can hold herself together.'

* * *

When Montera reached the door, it was standing slightly ajar. He closed it and went into the sitting room.

'Gabrielle?'

'In here.'

She was lying in bed in the darkness. He reached for the switch and she said quickly, 'No, Raul, don't turn on the light.'

He sat on the edge of the bed and there was concern in his voice. 'Look, my love, if you're not well, I can go. No trouble.'

'No.' She reached for him. 'Don't leave me. I want you here in bed with me.'

He undressed, dropping his clothes on a chair, and slipped in beside her. She turned into him, arms sliding about his neck and suddenly, like a dam bursting, all the pain, all the anguish, flowed out of her and she started to cry, slow, bitter tears.

'What is it?' he asked.

'Nothing, Raul. Don't say anything. Just hold me.'

He soothed her then, his lips on her forehead, as one might soothe a child and after a while, she slept.

13

Villiers and Jackson had driven down from Paris overnight through Orleans and Tours to Nantes from where they had turned south. It was still early, only eight o'clock, when they finally found Lancy. Jackson slowed the Citroen as they came to the perimeter fence. He coasted along past the main gate which was padlocked and then picked up speed and drove on, turning into some trees round a bend in the road.

They walked back through the trees and looked down at the airfield. 'Old wartime station from the look of things,' Villiers said.

'And no sign of any life.' Jackson shivered. 'I hate places like that. Too many good men gone.'

Villiers nodded. 'I know what you mean.' He looked up at the grey sky which threatened rain. 'Let's hope the weather doesn't give our friends problems getting in.'

Jackson said, 'What do we do now?'

'We'll go into this place St Martin. See if we can find where Donner's house is.'

They turned and went back through the trees.

* * *

Gabrielle lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling. After a while, she turned her head and found Montera watching her.

'How are you this morning?' he asked gravely.

'Fine.' Amazing how calm she felt, how much in control. 'I'm sorry about last night.'

He reached for one of her hands and kissed it. 'Do you want to tell me about it?'

'Nothing to tell,' she said. 'Old ghosts, that's all.' She held his hand tightly. 'This business with Donner in Brittany. It's important?'

'Yes,' he said. 'Let's say he can supply certain equipment my government needs because the arms embargo has blocked more normal channels.'

'And when the transaction is completed, you'll return to the Argentine? How long, Raul? Two days? Three?'

'I don't have any choice,' he said simply.

'And neither do I. I must take what time there is, even if I have to share you with bloody Donner. I'm coming with you to Lancy.'

The delight in his face was plain. 'You're sure?'

'Very.'

She rolled over and he buried his face in her neck. She stroked his hair and stared up at the ceiling again. Amazing how easily they came, the lies, the deceit.

* * *

At Brie-Comte-Robert, Donner walked up and down impatiently, smoking a cigarette. Wanda leaned against the hangar wall, Rabier waiting beside the Chieftain.

'Where the hell is he?' Donner demanded and then a cab turned in through the main gate and crossed the apron towards them.

Raul Montera got out, wearing jeans and his old black flying jacket. He turned and held out a hand to Gabrielle. Donner was delighted, all anger leaving him, and went to meet them.

'So you decided to join us after all?'

'Yes,' she said simply. 'On reflection, I decided I'd nothing better to do.'

Behind her, Montera was getting the bags and paying off the driver. Amazing how marvellous she looked in jeans and the blue reefer coat. It occurred to Donner with a kind of wonder, that this was different. He wanted this woman to want him.

'Fine,' he told her. 'Let's get moving then.'

They turned and walked towards the Chieftain. Wanda came forward and glanced at Montera, that look on her face again.

He smiled. 'You worry too much.'

'Maybe you should worry more,' she said, and followed the others.

* * *

The small bar on the quay at St Martin was empty except for Villiers and Jackson who stood at one end eating the croissants the owner, a large, matronly blonde, had prepared for them.

'More coffee?' she asked.

Villiers nodded. 'Where are all the customers?'

'The regulars are working, Monsieur, and we don't get many tourists these days. Things aren't as they were.'

'I thought there was an airfield near here?'

'Ah, yes, at Lancy, but that closed down years ago.' She poured hot coffee. 'You gentlemen have business here?'

'No,' Villiers said. 'We've been touring Brittany by car for the past week. Someone told us the sea fishing was good here.'

'That's true. Best on the coast.'

'Where could we stay?'

'Well, there's the hotel up the street, the Pomme d'Or, but not if you take my advice. It's a dump. Hugo, the estate agent, has plenty of places to rent. Bungalows, cottages and that sort of thing. He'd be only too pleased to see you, believe me. As I say, we don't get the tourists these days like we used to. His office is fifty yards along the front.'

'I'm very grateful.' Villiers delivered his most charming smile. 'We'll call on him now.'

* * *

Monsieur Hugo, a kindly, white-haired old man who appeared to run his office single-handed, was most accommodating. He had a large map of the area on the wall, little red flags on pins stuck into place to indicate the location of his properties.

'I could find you something here in town with no difficulty,' he said. 'Of course the minimum letting period would be one week.'

'No problem,' Villiers replied. 'However, I would prefer something in the country. A friend in Paris who stayed here some years ago mentioned a house called Maison Blanche.'

The old man nodded, took off his glasses and pointed to one of the flags. 'Ah yes, a fine house, but much too large for your purposes and in any case, I only recently leased it to a gentleman from Paris.'

'I see.' Villiers examined the map and pointed to one of the flags situated between Maison Blanche and Lancy. 'What about that?'

'Yes. I'm sure that would meet your requirements perfectly. A small modern bungalow called Whispering Winds, built five years ago by a schoolmaster in Nantes for his retirement. He only uses it for vacations at the moment. Fully furnished, two bedrooms. I could let you have that for five hundred francs for the week, plus a one hundred franc deposit against breakages. In advance, of course.' He smiled apologetically. 'It is a sad fact of life, Monsieur, but I'm afraid it has been my experience that there are those who leave without paying.'

'I perfectly understand.' Villiers took out his wallet and counted the money out on the desk.

'Would you like me to take you out and show you the place?' the old man asked.

'Not necessary. I'm sure you have work to do. If you'll just give me the key.'

'Of course, Monsieur.' The old man took it from a board and handed it to him. 'There is an excellent general store down the street. Madame Dubois can meet all your requirements.'