Dr. Tomac has sent me.
Whats he want?
Fitzgerald came round the bar, and Levin pulled Abdul to one side. Its not what he wants, its what I want. Dermot Fitzgerald?
Fitzgerald seemed to freeze, the shock intense.
Igor Levin. Ive a message from Mary Killane. Rot in hell, you bastard.
His arm swung up, the silenced Walther coughed, and he shot Fitzgerald between the eyes, hurling him back to bounce off the bar and fall to the floor.
Excellent, Levin said. Now you can take me to the Trocadero. Youll wait for me a few minutes, then take me to the airstrip. Is that understood? Do as youre told and I wont kill you.
Levin went straight up to his room and collected his luggage. Hed hardly bothered to unpack, so it took only a minute or two and he was downstairs to the bar. There was no sign of Tomac, and Levin went out and dumped his bag behind Abdul.
Where would Tomac be?
In his apartment at the top of the stairs.
Ill be back. He reached for the keys. A precaution.
He went upstairs, whistling, opened Tomacs door and walked straight in. The doctor was sitting behind his desk, reading glasses on the end of his nose, the Panama still on his head. He looked up, frowned slightly, no more than that.
Where would Tomac be?
In his apartment at the top of the stairs.
Ill be back. He reached for the keys. A precaution.
He went upstairs, whistling, opened Tomacs door and walked straight in. The doctor was sitting behind his desk, reading glasses on the end of his nose, the Panama still on his head. He looked up, frowned slightly, no more than that.
My dear sir. You look like a man in a hurry.
I am. Bound for the airstrip, where Ill be flying away out of your life forever.
And Major Novikova?
Unfortunately, in the hands of the opposition. There was no Fitzgerald at Zarza. Only Dillon, Slater and Russo. They got the major, I shot Russo and did a runner.
Tomac tried to brazen it out. No Fitzgerald? I dont understand.
Oh, I caught up with him in the saloon of the Sultan, thanks to Abdul. Hes on his back there now, eyes staring at the ceiling like you usually do when youve been shot in the head.
This is all most unfortunate. He took off his spectacles.
Yes, isnt it? Levin reached for the door handle. Dammit, I was forgetting something.
He turned, the silenced Walther coughed again and Tomac went over backward in the chair. Yes, that was it, Levin said, and went out.
Abdul was still at the wheel and Levin got in the Land Rover beside him. Right, the airstrip, and when you get back Id check on Dr. Tomac. He didnt look too well to me.
They were waiting at the airstrip, there was an instant takeoff and they climbed up to thirty thousand and headed out to sea. Levin phoned Volkov and reported in.
Volkov listened and said calmly, At last, a success. Fitzgerald taken care of is a blessing.
A pity about Novikova. What can we do about that?
Very little at the moment. I would imagine shell return to London with Dillon and Salter. Ferguson will put her in the safe house at Holland Park, which is hardly the Lubyanka. She poses no threat. Ferguson knows everything she knows.
Shall I speak to Ashimov?
Youd like that, wouldnt you?
I like keeping him in his place.
Then do it.
Volkov switched off. Levin lit a cigarette, smiled, then phoned Ashimov.
On board Eagle One, they sat in the saloon, got Russos scarf and shirt off and examined the damage. Romano got the first-aid box, but it was Greta who examined it.
Let me look. I did a field nursing course years ago for Afghanistan. She shook her head. I can do a patch-up job, but it needs more than stitching. The bullets cut across the shoulder. Hell need treatment at hospital level.
Well, that can wait until Im back in Ibiza, Russo said. Just get on with it.
Which she did. Romano said, So this whole thing was a mess?
You could say that, Dillon said.
Well, we could have told you. After you left, Cameci and I caught sight of that Fitzgerald guy on the deck of the Sultan down the jetty.
Dillon glanced at Billy and stood up. Watch her.
Greta said, Where would I go, for Gods sake?
They went up the gangway and paused at the top. It was very quiet. Dillon drew his Walther and Billy fanned out to one side and they finally came to the saloon and discovered Fitzgeralds body.
Thats it, then, Billy said.
They went out on deck and the Falcon roared overhead at five or six hundred feet and climbing.
And there goes Levin, Dillon said.
You could say he did you a favor, Billy observed.
As they went down the gangway, Dillon called Roper on his Codex Four at Holland Park. Weve got Novikova, believe it or not. Still in the land of the living. Fitzgeralds dead, Levin just left in his Falcon, so draw your own conclusions. Try and find out where hes going.
Will do. Roper laughed. Its better than the midnight movie on TV.
They returned to find the others assembled in the stern of Eagle One. Ibrahim was included and looked scared.
Romano said, Hes been up at the Trocadero to see his cousin Ali. Theyve sent for the police. It would seem Dr. Tomacs turned up shot dead in his apartment.
Greta said, My goodness, Igor has been busy.
Russo said, Dont be stupid, lady. You want us to stay here and explain things to Algerian police? Youd have sex every time you went to the shower whether you liked it or not. He turned to Romano. Did you refuel?
Of course.
Good. Then lets get out of here, back to Ibiza. Youll have to fly the whole trip, Sean.
They took off ten minutes later, Dillon and Russo in the front, Billy and Greta in the rear. As they turned to climb, Dillon glanced down and saw two Land Rovers racing along to the jetty.
Police, Russo said. Arriving too late as usual.
I know, Dillon said. Just cant help it, and he set course for Ibiza.
Things going smoothly, he went on autopilot and called Ferguson. Its me, he said.
Ferguson, at his Cavendish Place apartment, was testy. I was expecting you. Ropers spoken to me.
Weve gotten out of Khufra by the skin of our teeth. My friend Aldo Russo is slightly damaged. Greta Novikova, returned from the grave, is in our hands. I presume youd like to see her?
I certainly would.
Especially as she tells me Yuri Ashimov also survived Drumore. Do we get the Citation?
Of course you do. You only have to get off the bloody phone.
Everything okay? Billy asked.
So it would appear. You know Ferguson.
Dillon was lighting a cigarette one-handed when the engine suddenly missed a beat and spluttered. It was Russo who checked.
Oil pressure.
Dillon said, Life jackets under the seats, get them on. He pulled on his own and turned to Russo. What do you think?
That weve been well and truly done. Maybe it was Levin, more likely one of Tomacs boys. Look at the oil gauge. It was fluctuating alarmingly. Id say somebodys put water in the oil. Over a period of time, as the engine heats up, the water builds up into a head of steam: usually blows the filler cap off. Thats why the oil gauge is going wild. Id say the engine will stop any moment now.
They were coming into the Ibizan coast, descending, nosing toward the bay and Tijola, and the engine did indeed splutter and die. They started to glide with a strong crosswind bouncing them.
If were lucky, I can land, but notice the waves. If they tip us over, well go straight down. How deep, Aldo?
Six or seven fathoms.
Right, this is the way it goes, Dillon said. If we land and tip over, get out fast and swim. Were close to the shore. If we tip over and go straight down, dont do a thing until we settle on the bottom. Wait while were there and dont try to open the door until enough waters got in to equalize the pressure.
Even Billy was alarmed. For Christs sake, get this right, Dillon.
Dillon dropped the Eagle in, but the waves were swirling sideways and the plane dipped and went straight down.
You know what youre doing? Russo cried.
Believe it or not, Ive been here before, Dillon said.
The water was dark and clear, the instrument lights still glowing, and the plane lifted a little, coasted forward and landed on the bottom of the bay. Clear sand, a rock here and there, and the water was over their heads and Dillon pushed the door open, turned and grabbed Greta and pushed her out.
He floated up holding Gretas hand, Billy to the left of him, Russo to the right. You had to be careful about coming up from depth when diving, but they didnt have much choice. They broke through to the surface, Greta gasping.
You all right? Dillon demanded.
Well, I wouldnt say you know how to please a lady, Greta said, but Im sure it beats the showers at Khufra Prison.
Good. Lets get going, and they turned and swam the few yards to the shore.
Later, at the airport in the VIP lounge, they sat waiting, Billy, Dillon and Greta, for the arrival of the Citation X.
We certainly see a little bit of everything, Billy said. I mean, what was that all about?
The automatic door opened and Russo came in, his arm in a sling. So here you are.
How did you get on? Greta asked.
Fifteen stitches. I cant feel my arm. He leaned down and kissed her. Thanks for what you did. Listen, cara, if youd like an older man, Im available. Ive got a great villa in Sicily at Agrigento.
Its a good offer, but Ill get by.
With Ferguson in the safe house?
You dont understand, Aldo. He cant do anything to me, cant accuse me of anything. Its not that Im not guilty. Its because Dillon and Billy are guilty, too, and Ferguson cant admit that.
Well, as long as you know what youre doing. He kissed her again and Lacey came in through the door.
Ready for takeoff.
Dillon said to Russo, Sorry about the plane.
No big deal. Its not too deep and near the shore. The crew will have her up easy.
If you say so.
They all got up and Russo put his good arm around Dillon. Anytime, my friend, anytime.
You must be mad, Dillon said, and led the way out.
LONDON IRELAND
10
When they landed at Farley Field, the Daimler was waiting, with Ferguson beside the driver. There was also a Shogun with the Military Police Sergeant Major from Holland Park, Henderson, and a black sergeant called Doyle. They stood, waiting, watchful, in navy blue blazers and neat ties, normal except for the earpieces and that special look common to security men all over the world.