The Greek Key

Kalos nodded. 'We have uncovered a major conspiracy controlled by the hardline anti-Gorbachev faction in Moscow. I just cannot see where it leads.' He handed his file to Tweed. 'I would like you to read that – it includes times and photographs of the conspirators…'

Tweed read the file, automatically memorizing every detail. He studied the photos. Kalos sat with his hands clasped in his ample lap, waited patiently. When Tweed had finished he handed back the file.

'My God, it looks far worse than I ever dreamed. Could you get me copies of those prints?'

Kalos delved into his file, produced a large envelope which he passed to Tweed. 'I anticipated your request. I made copies myself in my own darkroom. All the dates are written on the back. I have signed my name and used a police headquarters rubber stamp. Sarris knows nothing of this. He destroyed the original file in my presence.'

'Sarris is involved?' Tweed asked.

A shake of the stubble-covered head. 'I'm sure he guessed I had already prepared a duplicate file. It was significant he did not ask for the negatives of those prints. Sarris would never forget a point like that. Except deliberately. We understand one another. Why do you think he suggested I took you away from HQ for a talk?'

'Of course.' Tweed smiled. 'It is just that I have a habit of trusting no one.'

'A very good habit. What are you going to do now? You believe one of those three ex-commandos is the real head of the Greek Key?'

'I do now.'

'But which one? You have interviewed them all twice. Surely one of them let something slip? You are known for your flair for interrogation.'

'I think I know who it is.' Tweed paused. 'The devil of it is I have no proof,'

'And this Professor Seton-Charles you mentioned. The Recruiter, as Christina called him when talking with Newman. He too is involved?'

'Up to his ruddy neck would be my guess. Again, no proof. You asked me what I'm going to do. I'm very grateful to you, Kalos, for your cooperation. What you've dug up all on your own has filled in a lot of gaps. I am returning to England as rapidly as possible. The solution lies there.'

'Let me phone Sarris, see where they all are.' Kalos picked up the phone, dialled, spoke in Greek, waited, then spoke again at greater length. He put down the phone. 'Sarris tells me they are all at the Grande Bretagne, waiting for you. I hinted you may be leaving. He thinks that a good idea – after your experience in Devil's Valley. He looks forward to seeing you again.'

Tweed stood up. Thank you once more for everything. I am sure we will meet again.'

There is always a next time in our work. I will drive you to the hotel.' The Dormouse smiled shyly. 'It has been a great pleasure to deal with you. I suppose you realize you may not have much time left to stop whatever is planned? They have been working on it for over a year.'

That's what worries me. I don't think we have much time left. One more thing, could you leave Florakis alone? He sounds like the communications link. I don't want that disturbed.'

'I can persuade Sarris to agree to that. Now, as you say, you are short of time…'

They were all waiting for him in Newman's room: Newman himself, Marler and Nick. Newman told him Paula was still guarding Christina in her room.

'You see,' Nick intervened, 'I noticed at the farm that Dimitrios and Constantine were missing. I checked the bodies myself. I think they are in Athens, searching for Christina. It may be days before they hear Petros has been arrested. Sarris said he was keeping it out of the papers.'

'We are all leaving by a Swissair flight tomorrow,' Tweed told them. 'It leaves at 5 p.m., arrives at Zurich at 6.45 p.m. We stopped in the square on the way back and I bought tickets for everyone.' He dropped a folder on the table. 'Better collect your tickets now.'

'Why Zurich?' Newman asked. 'Why not a direct flight home?'

'Because we are taking Christina with us. I promised her protection. She will stay with our friend in Switzerland until this is all over.'

'May I make a suggestion?' said Nick.

'Go ahead.'

'You may well need strong protection until you have safely left Greece. If you take a taxi with Christina and Paula to the airport, Newman and Marler could follow close behind in the hired Peugeot the police returned.'

That's good thinking,' agreed Tweed.

'But in case of emergency none of you is armed. Sarris took your rifles, as he took my shotgun. But I was not searched – I think that was deliberate.' He opened his jacket, took it off, exposing the hip holster carrying his. 38 Smith amp; Wesson. Unfastening the holster, he laid it on the table. Pulling up his trouser leg, he unstrapped the holster containing a small Browning automatic, laid that on the table. Then he emptied his jacket pockets of spare magazines and looked at Marler and Newman.

'Take your choice.'

'But we'll never get through airport security,' Newman pointed out.

'Yes you will. Because I will drive ahead to the airport to make sure it is safe. If I am standing leaning against my car when Tweed's taxi arrives, all is well. I then go to the men's room, followed by Newman and Marler. They hand the guns back to me.'

'Very bright,' Tweed agreed again.

Marler grabbed the Browning before Newman could object, saying he was smaller and wasn't going to lug the heavier Smith amp; Wesson about. Newman grimaced.

'Trust him to find the easy way.' He looked at Nick. 'You said you were running low on petrol.'

Nick jumped up. 'So I go and fill her up now. Do it at once is my maxim. I will be back later.'

'Newman waited until they were alone. 'Tweed, shouldn't someone go to the Embassy, call Beck, warn him we're coming?'

'I was about to do that myself…'

'I feel like a walk. Give me his Berne number and I'll make the call.'

Tweed took out the pad he always carried with a sheet of plastic to stop the imprint of what he wrote being reproduced on the sheet underneath. He wrote down Beck's number from memory, gave it to Newman. After studying it for a few moments, Newman held the sheet over an ash tray, set light to it.

'I'm on my way…'

Tweed was left alone with Marler, who ran his hand through his fair hair before asking his question.

'What about Andreas' skeleton hanging inside that silver mine?'

'It was Andreas. Sarris told me he had questioned Petros after I told him about its existence before we left the farm. Petros admitted he had kept the skeleton until he had administered justice – his phrase – to the murderer of his sons. Sarris sent a couple of men up to find the skeleton. I suppose it will be buried in due course. The whole episode shows Petros was crazy with his obsession.'

'And you're no further for'ard with who killed Masterson?'

'Yes, I am. After cross-examining Petros before the choppers arrived I'm convinced he told the truth. He had nothing to do with Masterson's death. So we're looking for someone else – which is what I came here to find out.'

'Any ideas?'

Despite their ordeal in Devil's Valley Marler looked fresh and ready for anything. He had cleaned himself up in the bathroom and emerged a new man.

'A lot,' said Tweed. 'I've been fed a whole load of new information. The trouble will be checking it out – and I'm not sure how much time we've got. You'll all be chasing your tails when we get back home. But Zurich comes first. Not that I expect it will be anything but a stopover…'

Beck met them at Zurich the following evening and they travelled from Kloten Airport to the Hotel Schweizerhof in two unmarked limousines. Inside the second car Christina was escorted by a plain-clothes policeman.

'She will be taken into the mountains,' Beck explained when they assembled in Tweed's corner room overlooking the Bahnhofstrasse and the main station. 'In a house near Santis,' he went on. 'Is there someone who needs smoke in their eyes? I didn't see anyone following us from the airport.'