Katya nodded, and Svetlana sighed. Such is life, my dears.
Betty chose that moment to come in from the kitchen, a plate in each hand, and put them on the bar. Get it while its hot, she said, and returned to the kitchen. Katya got them and handed them down. Betty came back with two more.
The outside door opened and three men with hooded anoraks entered, binoculars around their necks. They moved down to the other end of the bar by the fireplace and ordered beer.
Eat up, my dears, Svetlana said, and dont be depressed, for all will be resolved in the end.
ON THE WAY back to London, Monica received another call from Kurbsky, who was in the bathroom in his apartment at the safe house.
Can you talk?
Just a moment. Monica asked Katya to pull in at the side of the road and got out of the station wagon. You can speak now.
Ive enjoyed looking at you on the Internet. I found your Major Roper, too. Tell him Ill call at midnight my time tonight, nine yours. This isnt a request. I need answers.
The line went dead, and Monica got back in the station wagon and told Dillon. He said, Well, it would be difficult to say no. Call in now and tell Roper. Well go back to Chamber Court with the ladies and then check in at Holland Park.
Youll keep us posted? Katya said.
Absolutely. There are two important moves in this game. One, to get Kurbsky out of Paris, the second to get him safe in your hands at Holland Park so you can work your magic. He smiled at Svetlana. Dont worry, my love, its going to be just fine. Trust me.
AS IT DREW closer to nine oclock at Holland Park, they all sat waiting, for Ferguson had called in the Salters, too, and at nine precisely, Kurbsky came through. Roper adjusted Monicas mobile and Kurbsky spoke.
Have you got the plan for me? Were only three days away.
Roper said, We will have two operatives arriving in Paris by private plane on Wednesday. Their names are Sean Dillon and Billy Salter. Weve checked the order of events at the Élysée Palace. Seven oclock, a glass of champagne as a welcome. Things get serious from eight, then comes the buffet meal. We figure you return to the Ritz for eleven-but it could be earlier.
So what happens then?
Im handing you over to Dillon.
How do your minders see to you? Dillon asked.
They have a rota. One on guard at all times in my sitting room in the suite.
You go to bed as soon as you get back, whatever time it is. I would imagine a man of your experience would have no difficulty handling the guard in your room.
Then what?
Straight downstairs, minutes only. There are always taxis at the rank outside. Tell the driver to take you to the Gare du Nord railway station. There is a train leaving for Brest at midnight. Well be waiting at the gate. Well even have a passport for you. Youre now Henri Duval.
And where does this train take me?
Overnight to Brittany, where a private plane waits to bring you to London.
Its so simple, it could work.
It will work, Roper cut in.
There is only one flaw. I am egotistical enough to assume that Dillon and Salter will recognize me. However, I havent the slightest idea what they look like.
Ferguson, exasperated, said, Of course theyll recognize you. Dammit, man, theyll approach you at the gate.
And whisper in my ear?
Monica said, Shut up, the lot of you. Its perfectly simple. Ill go with them. Will that serve, Alex?
Good heavens, yes.
Thats settled, then.
Ferguson said rather lamely, Well, I suppose it is.
Excellent. Im very grateful, Monica, Kurbsky said. Im sure your two friends will look after you well.
Nothing to look after. Itll be a breeze. She felt hugely elated and glanced at Dillon, who was smiling wryly.
One more thing, Major Roper-my future, my anonymity is assured?
Believe me, old man, by the time weve finished with you, even you wont recognize who you are.
Monica said, Alex, can I have your mobile number?
No, but I would like yours, Major Roper. At this stage in the game, its essential.
Absolutely. Roper gave it to him. Take care.
But I always do. Kurbsky clicked off, and there was only silence.
LONDON / PARIS
6
In London, the Embassy of the Russian Federation was situated in Kensington Palace Gardens. There was a safe house close by, where Boris Luzhkov had privileged quarters, and Bounine, now a major, was also well looked after. Included in all this were the joys of Kensington High Street and the pub on the other side. It was just after noon on Tuesday when Bounine went out through the main gate, waited for a break in the traffic, and darted across to keep a lunch appointment with Luzhkov.
Luzhkov had a favorite window seat and was reading the early edition of the Evening Standard. So there you are, he said. How are you finding it?
A posting to London at last, Bounine said. I like it very well. He turned as a young waitress approached. A large vodka, please.
Luzhkov swallowed the rest of his wine and gave her the glass. Another for me, and two shepherds pies. He folded the newspaper. Always read the Standard, its an institution, and almost anything on the menu here is excellent. This city is a spys heaven, Yuri. At least twenty-four GRU people are here-posing as something else, of course. To be frank, nobody wants to go home from a London posting. What was Dublin like?
Great city and great people. The problem was that the ambassador wanted me not only to act like a commercial attaché-but be one.
What a bore. Still, life has taken on a new meaning for you now. This Kurbsky business. Very special indeed. A great opportunity for both of us.
Whats our next move?
Not ours, Kurbskys. Right about now, his Falcon is leaving the Motherland for Paris.
His mobile trembled in his shirt pocket, and he answered. Alexander, my friend, how are you?
As good as Ill ever be. Just taking off from Moscow. How are you and Yuri settling in?
He cant believe his luck. Were enjoying lunch in my favorite pub across the street from the Embassy.
Good for you, and now to business. Youre aware that idiot Gregorovich informed me we would be staying at the Ritz because the Ministry did not want to shame the Motherland by its frugality. Naturally, the lads are rather worked up at the prospect of French chambermaids.
To say that I seriously doubt the competence of Ivanov, Kokonin, and Burlaka is putting it mildly, and the chambermaids they lust after will probably turn out to be Polish. Ive given young Ivanov my personal mobile number so that he may call me at any time if he has a problem. So what have Ferguson s people got planned?
I return to the hotel after the Élysée Palace affair is over. By then it will be late, so I retire to bed, having an early start for Moscow in the morning. As usual, Ill have one of the lads on guard in the sitting room by the suite. Im to deal with him.
Permanently?
That would seem extreme. Only if its necessary.
And then?
Kurbsky told him of the train to Brittany, and Luzhkov said, Nice and simple. Dillon and Salter are very good, but I suppose the woman could complicate things.
Not really. It should all be perfectly straightforward. Lets get one thing clear: When I get to London safely and find myself in Ferguson s hands, Im going to go with the flow, step by step, and evaluate what theyve worked out for me. I wont be calling you every five minutes, and if I turn my phone off, youll just have to accept that. By the way, Ive turned off my recording facility.
Id rather you didnt do that.
Too bad, Colonel. Ill be in touch when I have something to say.
The line went silent. Luzhkov said, The bastard.
Bounine looked bewildered. Something wrong?
Very much so. Kurbsky is suddenly turning awkward. He shook his head. Im beginning to get a bad feeling about this whole business.
AT HOLLAND PARK, Roper was having a sandwich around ten oclock in the evening when Dillon and Monica dropped by.
Good film? Roper asked.
Not bad. Dillon helped her off with her coat.
We thought wed have a drink with you on the way home, she told him.
Home, is it? Roper said as she sat beside him and Dillon went to the icebox and got a bottle of champagne. Youre almost becoming a family man, Dillon.
Get stuffed, Dillon said amiably, and poured. Whats happening?
Kurbskys on the fourth floor of the Ritz, his suite interconnecting with a bedroom next door. Two other separate rooms along the corridor. Ive got some interiors, restaurants, bars, and so on up there. He gestured at the screens. Have a look. Theyve been having dinner in the main dining room.
How do you know that? Monica asked.
Weve got an asset at the Ritz.
What do you mean?
An asset is a reliable source whom you pay for information in our game. This one is on the concierge staff. Very junior, but okay for general information. Burlaka and Kokonin have gone to a strip joint in Montmartre. Kurbsky booked the car for them. My information is very recent. Hes in the bar with Ivanov.
So Ivanov has missed the joys of the strip show?
Rules of the game. One of them must be with Kurbsky at all times.
What a shame. She accepted the glass of champagne from Dillon.
Just to complicate things, Ivanov and his chums are booked in under false names. Its common practice for GRU operatives operating under cover on foreign soil.
Monica sighed. I dont know how you keep up with it all, and Im sorry for Ivanov, or whatever you call him, missing out on all the fun.
IN FACT, it wasnt strictly true, for Ivanov had just had a most charming surprise. Hed gone upstairs with Kurbsky, whod decided to retire to his suite early. Kurbsky unlocked the door of his suite and entered. Ivanov was going to follow him, when the door of his room, the interconnecting one, opened and a young woman, blond and more than presentable in the uniform of a chambermaid, appeared, carrying a few crumpled sheets.
One of the reasons he had been chosen for the assignment was that he spoke reasonable French. He said, Hello, is there a problem?
She answered him in Russian. Im Ukrainian. Call me Olga. I do night shifts only here, but its the Ritz and the moneys good and I get to meet interesting people-like you, for instance. I know all about you and your boss, in from Moscow.
There was a cheeky insolence to her, and Ivanov said, Whats the problem?
The day maid, a bitch from Warsaw called Anya, has made a disgusting mess of the bed, so Ive got to change it fast, because if the supervisor finds out, Ill get sacked. Is it okay?