'The rest is factual. Zimin wanted Peter alive, to squeeze him.
Lukianov's Arabs wanted him dead, to make sure he couldn't be squeezed. And Zimin wasn't going to risk that happening.
My arrival put him off his stroke, but as soon as he knew I dummy1
was by myself he went ahead, and gave the order. But, of course, it wasn't neatly done, because of the second Arab, as I've said.' He gave Renshaw a rueful nod. 'I am guessing. But the undeniable fact is, Charlie, that everything went wrong for everyone — both in Berlin and Capri. And, in my experience, that's what usually happens when there are too many cooks mixing the broth.'
'Mmm . . .' That was Charlie Renshaw's experience too, obviously. 'I take it that Zimin has also disappeared from the scene now, like Major Richardson, Henry?'
Jaggard nodded. 'The Italians are almost certain that Richardson was the pseudo-American — "Dalingridge", Charles. So that puts him in France.'
'En route here.' Renshaw stroked his chin. 'But otherwise we're none the wiser as to what Lukianov is offering the Arabs. Except, if Len is right about General Voyshinski's unexpected arrival, here is also where Lukianov intends to transact his business.'
Jaggard sat back. 'Neutral ground, maybe? Apart from which, if David has interpreted Zimin's words and actions correctly, the Russians themselves don't know what's on offer. So they are in the dark also. But if David is right about Richardson coming home, then we may have the edge on them yet. Because, even if he doesn't contact us ... or, as the case may be, David himself ... we should be able to rely on Commander Pitt picking him up in due course. And then we'll know what it is that David has forgotten.'
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That was neat. Put like that, all they had to do was to wait, and if things went wrong either he or Billy Pitt could take the responsibility, for guessing wrong or incompetence respectively.
'No.' Butler grunted explosively.
'Jack — ?' Renshaw looked at Butler expectantly.
'"Due course" won't do.' Butler nodded to Billy Pitt. 'No disrespect to you or your men — or your organization —
Commander. But Major Richardson is a trained man.' And that was all Commander Pitt was getting. 'The Russians are treating this as an urgent matter — '
'The Russians —' began Jaggard.
'But it is not the Russians who particularly concern me first, Mr Renshaw.' Butler ignored Henry Jaggard. 'It is the man Lukianov and the Arabs. Because, if they frighten the Russians so much, then by God they also frighten me. And I have no reason to believe that I'm not the only one they are frightening.'
'What — ?' Renshaw frowned at Jaggard. 'Henry — ?'
'Colonel Jacob Shapiro is in London.' Butler got in first.
'Right, Mr Jaggard?'
The wily old bugger! thought Audley admiringly. 'Jake Shapiro — ?'
'Who is — ' Renshaw was torn between the three of them ' —
Colonel . . . Jake Shapiro?' He settled on Audley. 'David?'
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'Ex-Mossad.' Audley wondered how much Butler had guessed. But meanwhile he allowed himself a grin for Charlie Renshaw. 'An old mate of mine, from prehistoric times, Charlie. But . . . back in London?' He looked innocently to Jaggard. 'He was always a good friend of ours, Henry. When we gave him the chance to be, anyway.'
'Yes.' Jaggard had to swallow that. 'He is supposed to be on holiday, Charles. We know about him.'
'Holiday my foot!' Audley shook his head. 'He's someone we can do business with, Charlie. And, when it comes to Arab terrorism, the Israelis have forgotten more than we're ever likely to know. So ... if Jack's right, they could be waving old Jake like an olive branch, hoping that we'll accept him.'
'I see.' Renshaw shifted to Butler. 'Would you be prepared to release David for a few more days, to open negotiations with his "old mate", Sir Jack? Assisting Henry of course — ' He acknowledged Jaggard a little belatedly ' — Henry?'
'If Dr Audley is agreeable.' Again Butler got in first. When he wanted to be first, he usually was. 'I think we should regard the matter as urgent.'
'Hold on, there!' In this transformed situation Audley had to think quickly.
'You don't want to — ?' Renshaw frowned ' — what, David?'
'I'd like fine to meet Jake again, in — ah — in due course. But I'm not an expert on terrorism, Charlie.'
'What are you driving at?' Renshaw was surprised. In fact, dummy1
they were all surprised. And, additionally, Henry Jaggard was also consumed with suspicion.
'I think Peter Richardson is still my priority.' He could make contact with Jake any time. But he didn't want Jaggard breathing down his neck when he did. 'I want to have a look at the old files first. And then later today I think I'll saunter through some of Peter's old haunts in the country, just in case.' He gave Charlie his most serious face. 'It would be much better if Henry here and Commander Pitt asked for a meeting with Jake, at top level. To get whatever he's got on Comrades Lukianov and Prusakov, and their Arab associates.
And on Russian intentions in general too. And, meanwhile, if I can come up with anything, I'll let them know, of course.'
'That sounds eminently sensible.' Len Aston spoke out of nowhere, having effaced himself since his own surprising conribution to the conference. 'I would agree with Sir Jack that the matter is urgent. And also ... I am not convinced that we are "neutral ground".' He stared at Charlie Renshaw.
'And, finally, I would prefer someone of Mr Jaggard's seniority to negotiate with the Israelis. Because our present relations with them are . . . shall we say . . . cool, if not unfriendly?'
Nobody trusted him, when the Israelis were involved, thought Audley — even after all these years. But for once that was to his advantage. Because Henry Jaggard was now even more suspicious. But there wasn't one damn thing he could do about it.
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'Right.' Renshaw sat up very straight. 'Then I will inform my masters to that effect.' But once more he settled on Audley.
'What we want is no trouble, David. That may prove impossible in the case of Lukianov and his Arabs, I grant you.
But Henry and Commander Pitt will handle that. So, what I mean is, no trouble with the Russians, in view of the meeting scheduled between the PM and Gorbachev next month. Do you understand, David?'
'Yes, Charlie.' But it wasn't easy to keep a straight face, all the same, now that Jack was off the hook, and Henry Jaggard was in the barrel. And he himself was . . . a lot more free than he'd expected anyway. 'That suits me.'
3
As the car dropped down into the great motorway cutting through the Chilterns escarpment, and the panorama of the Oxfordshire plain below opened up in front of him, Audley debated with himself whether or not he ought to be frightened, and finally voted against it.
'Goodbye, Charlie.' Where the others only rated nods, Charlie had deserved more, for his help. 'Thanks for the support.'
'Oh yes? And you'll wear it always?' Renshaw had given him an old-fashioned look (as, also, had the flawless Mary Franklin from the doorway). 'Don't forget what I said, eh? No dummy1
trouble, David?'
'No trouble, Charlie.' He had lingered beside Mrs Harlin's desk. 'Did you get through to my wife, Mrs Harlin?' He had seen Butler hovering outside his own door, watching him almost as suspiciously as Jaggard had done.
'Yes, Dr Audley. She said for me to thank you. And she will phone Sir Matthew herself now.'
'That's fine.' Now for the Headmaster's study, Audley.
'Coming, Jack.' He'd have to get his act together now, too!
'Well . . . that's one worry off my mind . . . yes, Jack?'
'You knew Shapiro was here, didn't you?' Butler opened a file on his desk and extracted a print-out from it. 'And you've already talked to him.'
No matter how hard he tried not to underrate Jack Butler, he always failed. 'I didn't know he was here. But I have talked to him — yes, Jack.' But even this truth failed to set him free.