Rhinoceros

'That's it,' he concluded.

'We're going, then?'

'Yes.'

'It all sounds rather menacing, downbeat. "Come well after dark. Keep in die shadows. If there's a tomorrow",' Paula commented.

'On the contrary, Kefler sounded very jovial, very warm.'

'Well, Keith Kent did say Kefler reminded him of a teddy bear. But don't you think there was a grim element?'

'Yes, I do. We shall therefore take heavy protection.

Later we'll walk to the Hotel Renaissance where Harry Butler and Pete Nield are staying. I want Harry to guard our rear,' Tweed decided.

'And Mark?'

'Would be one too many.'

He went to the door. Someone had rapped hard on it. Opening it, he looked at the tall figure standing outside.

'Mr Tweed. I am Victor Rondel.'

Paula looked with curiosity as their visitor entered, was introduced to her. He held on to her hand only briefly and his grip was firm. She was rather struck by him.

Six feet tall, slim, athletically built, he was clean-shaven and had blond hair neatly brushed back from his forehead. His brown eyes had a humorous hint and his smile was attractive. In his late thirties or early forties, he was clad in a pale blue polo-neck sweater, fawn slacks with a razor-edged crease and white trainers. He accepted Tweed's invitation to sit down, paused when Tweed gestured to the champagne in an ice bucket the management had provided.

'It's not been opened. You might like to keep it for later.'

'The ice in the bucket is almost water now,' Tweed commented. 'I think you'd do us a favour if I opened it now.'

'Then I will be happy to do you that favour.'

He smiled again as Tweed took the bottle into the bathroom to open. He was smiling at Paula, who had perched herself on the arm of another chair.

'Would this be your first trip to Hamburg, Miss Grey?'

'Paula, please. No, it isn't. I was here quite a few years ago when the old family was running it. In this hotel, I mean.'

'Ah. The end of a dynasty. I fear a lot of that is happening these days. Thank heavens the new owners – a chain – have preserved its original character. I understand you are Mr Tweed's close assistant.'

She didn't reply because Tweed had returned with the bottle opened. He poured champagne into three of the six glasses laid out on a table, raised his glass.

'To peace and prosperity.'

'I will certainly drink to that,' Rondel agreed.

'How did you know I was here?' Tweed asked suddenly, still standing.

'I saw you and Miss Grey…'

'Paula, please,' she said again, smiling.

'I saw you and Paula come in when I was having coffee in the lounge downstairs. The gentry in Hamburg patronize that room.'

'But how did you know it was me?' Tweed persisted.

'Information is one essential element in my job. Sometimes more valuable than gold. You are the Deputy Director of the SIS.'

'And may I ask you what your job is?'

'You just did.' Rondel laughed pleasantly. 'I am one of the two partners who control the Zurcher Kredit Bank.'

'With a reputation of being the most trustworthy bank in the world.'

'I would hope so. I would most certainly hope so.' Rondel emptied his glass. 'Thank you for the drink. That champagne is a most superior brand. Now, I have taken up enough of your time. This was in the way of a first introduction. We would be most happy if you could be our guests at one of the best restaurants in town.' He extracted from his chamois wallet a long off-white card, handed it to Paula. 'We have reserved a good table for you for tomorrow night. I hope that is acceptable. The table number is on the back.'

'Very kind of you,' replied Tweed. 'Would I be out of order if I brought someone else as well as Paula? A man called Robert Newman.'

'Ah! The world-famous foreign correspondent. He would be most welcome.'

'I will, of course, pay for him…'

'You won't be able to.' Rondel laughed again. 'The manager will have been instructed to put three guests on my account. No argument, please. Oh, I hope you will not think it unfriendly, but you will be dining by yourselves. I shall be at another table with my partner – by tomorrow evening an urgent cable will have arrived and we must make a decision.'

'That is quite all right. You refer to "we", and mention your partner.'

'That, as I think I mentioned, is who I shall be dining with.' Rondel stood up. 'Soon we may well wish you to visit us at our headquarters.'

'Which are where?'

'Information never disclosed in advance.' Rondel smiled again, shook hands with both of them. 'We will keep in touch…'

Alone with Paula, Tweed looked at her. Taking off his glasses, he polished them with a clean handkerchief, perched them back on his nose.

'What did you think of him?'

'Bit of a whirlwind. I liked him. Never met anyone like him before. I've heard of this restaurant.' She handed him the card. 'It is supposed to be super.'

'Fischereihafen Restaurant,' Tweed read aloud. 'Grosse Elbstrasse 143. That means it's not so far from where Dr Kefler lives. Hafen, you know, means harbour.'

'What did you think of him?' Paula asked.

'Very secretive. Rondel cleverly evaded giving us the name of his partner – and where their headquarters are situated. I wonder how he found out who I was, that we'd be coming here? Paula, on this journey into a mirage we can trust no one except our own team. No one.'

'You found Rondel suspect?'

'I didn't say that.' Someone knocked on the door. 'Maybe that's Newman. He's staying here, of course, as is Mark.'

Tweed opened the door, was taken aback. Standing there with a half-smile on her face was Lisa Trent.

CHAPTER 16

'Welcome to Hamburg,' said Lisa as she walked in, went over to hug Paula. 'Amazing,' she said, turning to Tweed. 'Truly amazing. You worked out my message, you clever man,' she ended cheekily.

'Interested in a glass of champagne?' Tweed suggested.

'Buckets of it,' Lisa rapped back after checking the bottle. 'Can I sit down? It's bloody hot,' she remarked, sitting down.

She wore a white blouse, khaki shorts. Her feet were clad in sandals. No jewellery – not even one ring on her fingers. Tweed gave her a glass of champagne. She drank half of it straight off.

'How did you know we were here?' Tweed asked casually.

'I make it my business to know what's going on. Thought you'd have caught on to that when I made it my business to come to London – to warn you where the imminent riots were going to take place. Wake up, Tweed,' she rapped out, again saucy.

'Why have you come to see us now – glad as we are of your restrained presence?'

'Touche! My guess is you're hunting Rhinoceros.'

'Is it?' Tweed sat down facing her so as not to miss any nuance of expression. 'And supposing that was one of the reasons we are here?'

'Then you're in the right place. Germany.'

'Rhinoceros is in Germany? Whereabouts?'

'No damned idea.' Lisa refilled her glass, knocked back half of her fresh drink. 'You really will have to do some of the work yourself.'

'I have been known to exert a little energy. What about a hint?'

'I haven't a clue.' She suddenly dropped her flippant attitude, stared at Paula. 'But I can tell you that all of you are in grave danger.'

'From who?'

'This interrogation has gone far enough.' She flared up, her face flushed with anger. She turned on Tweed. 'I do not know. Don't you bloody well think I'd tell you if I did?' Standing up, she confronted him. 'There's a quality called trust. Ever heard of it? Trust]' she shouted at him. 'As you obviously don't trust me we have no more to talk about.' She reached for the champagne glass, saw it was empty, threw it onto the table where it shattered. 'When I think of what I went through in London to help you and you treat me like this!'