Exocet

Villiers went out to the Citroen and got in. Harvey Jackson said, 'Okay?'

'You could say that. I found out where Maison Blanche is and I've got us a holiday bungalow nearby.' He held up the key. 'Whispering Winds.'

'God Almighty,' Jackson said.

'Stop off at the store up the street. We'll need a few things.'

Villiers sat back and lit a cigarette. It was going rather well. Now, all that was needed was Donner, Raul Montera and Gabrielle and the game could begin.

* * *

When the Chieftain touched down at Lancy just before noon, Stavrou was waiting to meet it with a large Peugeot estate car. Villiers, watching from the trees on the hill through field-glasses, saw the passengers get out of the plane, which then taxied inside one of the hangars, the door of which Stavrou had opened earlier. He helped Rabier close them and the others got into the Peugeot.

'Gabrielle there?' Jackson asked.

Villiers nodded as Rabier got into the front seat beside Stavrou and the Peugeot drove away.

'Okay, let's get back to the bungalow and have something to eat, and I'll phone the Brigadier. Give our friends a chance to settle down. We can check out Maison Blanche later.'

They turned and went back to the car.

* * *

Harry Fox was having an early lunch when Villiers got through. He said, 'He's not here, Tony. Attending a meeting of the Joint Chiefs at the Ministry of Defence. I expect him back within the hour. Where are you?'

'The depths of the Breton countryside. A holiday cottage called, if you would believe it, Whispering Winds.'

'And Donner?'

'Just up the road.'

'Fine. Give me your number and I'll call the moment he gets back.'

* * *

At Maison Blanche, Donner opened the door of one of the bedrooms on the first floor and ushered in Montera and Gabrielle. It was an old-fashioned room with a high ceiling and tall narrow windows, sombre because of the wine-coloured wallpaper. There was an uncomfortable looking bed, very high off the floor.

'Bathroom through there,' Donner said. 'All the comforts. Stavrou tells me lunch in half an hour. I'll see you down there.'

He went out and Montera sat on the bed and bounced up and down. 'Mother of God, listen to those springs. The whole world will know of my mad passion for you.'

She sat on the bed beside him. 'I don't like this place, Raul, and I don't like him.'

'I know,' he said. 'But you like me, so that's all right.'

He turned her head and kissed her gently.

* * *

Villiers was having a drink in the sitting room, waiting for Ferguson's call, when Jackson came in from the kitchen.

'I was just listening to the radio from Paris. There was a newsflash. 2 Para hit Goose Green early this morning.'

'What's the score?'

'Apparently heavy fighting according to American sources.'

Villiers kicked a chair. 'And here we are, playing games for schoolboys.'

'Don't be stupid,' Jackson said flatly. 'They're damned important games. I've opened a can of soup and there's French bread and cheese. If you want some, come into the kitchen. If you want to stay in the officers' mess, that's up to you.'

He went out and at that moment the phone rang. Ferguson said, 'How are things, Tony?'

'Moving quite well.' Villiers explained in detail.

When he was finished, Ferguson said, 'Good, the moment you have details of Donner's actual intentions, phone me instantly. I think you'd better leave Sergeant Major Jackson by the phone at your end in case I need you in a hurry.'

'All right, sir,' Villiers said. 'We just heard a newsflash here about the battle at Goose Green.'

'Good God, ' Ferguson said. 'It's not even been announced here yet.'

'What's happening?'

'Very heavy going, Tony. The truth is our intelligence was faulty. A lot more Argentines there than we thought. I'm afraid the C.O. has been killed, but information is thin on the ground at the moment. Anyway, I'll be in touch.'

Villiers put the phone down, his face grim, then he went into the kitchen slowly.

* * *

Lunch consisted of vast helpings of smoked salmon and Beluga caviar with Krug Champagne to wash it down.

'I'm on a diet,' Donner explained. 'So if I suffer, my guests suffer. You're not drinking again, colonel?'

'As I told you, champagne doesn't agree with me.'

'What would you like then? A good host should always try to please even the most difficult of his guests.'

Montera looked across at Gabrielle who smiled, knowing what he would say. He smiled right back at her. 'How about a nice cup of tea?'

'Dear God,' Donner groaned and looked up at Stavrou standing by the door. 'See what you can do.'

Stavrou went out and Montera said, 'We really must have a talk, Donner. Settle our business. When you can find time, that is.'

'No time like the present,' Donner turned to Gabrielle and Wanda. 'Would you girls excuse us for a while?'

'No problem,' Gabrielle said. 'I'll go for a walk.' She glanced at Wanda. 'What about you, Miss Jones?'

Donner laughed. 'Wanda go for a walk? That'll be the day.'

The girl coloured and stood up. 'Thanks very much, but I think I'll unpack.'

She went out and Donner said to Gabrielle. 'Just one point. The stable-block is out of bounds for sound business reasons.' He smiled. 'Anywhere else, feel free.'

She opened the French windows and moved out.

* * *

Donner and Montera sat by a log fire in the sitting room. Montera said, 'You really can guarantee there will be no slip-ups?'

'Absolutely. My Italian agents assured me this morning that everything is set and ready to go. Those Exocets will be here tomorrow morning without fail. I hope your gold is just as available in Geneva.'

'No problem there, I can assure you.'

Donner lit a cigarette. 'So, you'll fly off in the Hercules. What about Mademoiselle Legrand? Does she go with you?'

'Very probably,' Montera said. 'If I can persuade her.' He stood up. 'I think I'll take a walk myself.'

'I'll come with you,' Donner told him. 'I could do with some fresh air.'

There was nothing Montera could say, so they went out together.

* * *

Tony Villiers, hidden in the undergrowth behind a wall high above the estate, had noticed several interesting things. Stavrou, for example, crossing from the rear of the house to the stables on occasion. There was someone in there, a face barely glimpsed when the door was opened.

And then Gabrielle appeared, crossing the terrace and starting across the lawn into the trees. He followed her with his fieldglasses, losing her once or twice. She finally emerged by a small lake and followed a path round it towards a ruined summerhouse on the other side.

Villiers' practised eye detected a movement in the trees above the lake. He focussed his glasses as a figure emerged from the bushes in patched jeans, long hair hanging beneath a tweed cap, a shotgun under his arm. He went after Gabrielle, keeping out of sight. Villiers got to his feet and ran down through the trees.

* * *

Gabrielle pushed open the broken door of the summerhouse and stepped inside. There was a wooden table, a couple of chairs, a stone fireplace. Various panes of glass were missing in the windows, the floor damp where rain had drifted in. There was a step behind her and she turned.

The young man who stood there was of medium height with a weak, sullen face. He badly needed a shave. His clothes were too large for him and his hair poked untidily from beneath the cap. He held a double-barrelled shotgun in both hands.

'What do you want?' she said.

He ran a hand across his mouth, his eyes glittering as they looked her over. 'Oh, no. That's what I ask you. I'm supposed to guard this estate.'