Of course it is. He was excited, and then she looked beyond him, which made him turn, and there was Kurbsky leaning in his doorway, arms folded, smiling slightly.
You appear to be in control of the situation. Ill leave you to it. He moved back and closed his door.
Ivanov went into his bedroom, which was incredibly elegant by the standards he was used to. There was a four-poster bed, a desk on one side of the room, a reasonable seating area on the other with two comfortable easy chairs, and a wardrobe area beside the connecting door to Kurbskys suite.
He was aroused, no question of that, and went and sat by the window, got himself a vodka miniature from the room bar, and waited. She returned with fresh sheets and attacked the bed, and Ivanov watched as she stretched and turned, her skirt rising over her thighs as she leaned to smooth the sheets.
He ran a hand up her right leg. She straightened. Now, that is naughty.
He stood, his hands all over her, turning her, kissing her passionately. She responded, but when he started to make free with his hands, she said, No, not now, Ive got things to do. Later, Ill see you later.
He pulled away. Yes, Im being silly. Ive got to go next door for a while.
Is he a queer or something?
Dont be stupid. Im supposed to guard him from a chair in the sitting room. Its orders. Hes a very important man.
So you sit here all night?
Well, no. Its a shift system with the other two, but theyve gone out on the town at the moment.
Well, youd better hope they get back in good condition so they can do their shift. Im on till eight in the morning. Who knows?
She plumped the pillows, turned down a corner of the duvet, patted his face, and walked out.
Ivanov took a deep breath, got up, knocked on the connecting door, opened it, and walked into Kurbskys sitting room. There was no sign of him, although the television was on. Kurbsky appeared in pajamas, wearing a hotel bathrobe.
I said the chambermaids at the Ritz would excite you.
Shes a Ukrainian called Olga.
Kurbsky was amused. For some reason, I find that very funny. You poor bastard, duty before a good shag. I admire you. Go, get a drink from my bar and watch television. Im for bed.
IVANOV DID as he was told, had another vodka and then another, caught up in an old movie about French paratroopers in the Algerian War. Finally, he fell asleep in the armchair and came awake to find it was half past two. He went in the bathroom and splashed his face, then went and listened at the bedroom door. Everything was still, so he let himself out into the quiet corridor and tapped on Kokonins door. There was no response, and neither was there from Burlaka. He was bitterly angry, and then a staff door marked Service opened and Olga appeared.
Looking for your friends? They arrived back an hour ago, drunken pigs both of them. They had to have a couple of porters bring them up and help them into their rooms. One was sick in his bathroom. The porters had to do a cleaning-up job. Ive got a passkey if you want to take a look.
Yes, I would, if you dont mind.
In spite of the porters good work, there was a whiff of vomit in Kokonins room. Ivanov got out quickly and she let him into the next room, where Burlaka sprawled on his bed half naked, snoring hugely.
Bastards, Ivanov said. A disgrace to the uniform. I hope theyve caught the pox.
It was very quiet there in the corridor at that time in the morning. He felt awkward and helpless, and it showed. She said, Poor old boy. She kissed him briefly.
Careful, were probably on CCTV, he told her.
Not on this section of the corridor. She took his hand. Let me show you something.
She opened the door marked Service, and he saw that it was a small room, shelved and stacked with bedding of every kind. Its nice in here, nice and warm, and cut off from everything, dont you agree?
When she closed the door, the light faded to a red glow and she was a creature of infinite mystery as she pushed him back onto a bolt of duvets, hoisted her uniform skirt, and straddled him. Her hands opened things up expertly, and it occurred to him that she had probably done this before and in the same place, but he didnt care, didnt care at all, and he simply lay there, allowing her to ride him.
And when it was over and she stood there adjusting her dress, he got up and tried to embrace her at the door and she pushed him away. Oh, no, youve had your ration. Anyway, youre not leaving till Thursday morning.
Thats true.
Ive got a split shift tomorrow, half in the afternoon, half at night. So I dont start till eleven. Sort your friends out over the guarding business and maybe Ill sneak into your room.
He was thrilled and showed it. Ill fix it, I promise you. Theyll have to do as theyre told, especially after tonight.
She opened the door, led the way out, and he went back to the suite and let himself in. All was quiet, and he tiptoed through to his room, leaving the door open, took off his jacket and shoes and lay on the bed, suddenly conscious that hed never been so happy in his life, smiled, and fell asleep.
DILLON SPENT the night with Monica at Dorset Street and they drove out to Farley Field together in his Mini. Ten oclock was the departure time for the flight to Paris, and Ferguson had come to see them off, as Harry had with Billy. Lacey and Parry wore the kind of navy blue uniforms that pilots did the world over, with a little gold braid to sharpen it up. It wasnt a good morning, bad March weather, and they stood under the golfing umbrellas that Lacey had produced and chatted.
What can I say? Ferguson smiled. It should be an easy one. Youll be back before you know it. Thats when the really important part of the job starts, the transformation of Alexander Kurbsky.
Lacey led the way to the Chieftain, where Parry was already at the controls, and Ferguson and Harry walked with him. Monica went first, then Billy. Ferguson said to Dillon, Paul Blériot is waiting at Charles de Gaulle. Hell put you up, provide everything you need. A good man. You can depend on him.
Dillon ducked in and sat on the other side of the aisle from Monica opposite Billy, and Lacey closed the airstair door and joined Parry in the cockpit.
Who is Blériot? Monica asked.
Very old chum of Ferguson s. Hes his man in Paris when you need a helping hand.
Such as?
Youll see. He grinned at Billy. Check that bar box, Billy, and see if theyve slipped half a bottle of champagne in.
Which they had, and Billy opened it and poured it into plastic cups. So elegant, Monica said.
Just like a picnic. Billy opened half a bottle of water.
Well, lets hope it stays a picnic. Dillon toasted them: To us.
Such as?
Youll see. He grinned at Billy. Check that bar box, Billy, and see if theyve slipped half a bottle of champagne in.
Which they had, and Billy opened it and poured it into plastic cups. So elegant, Monica said.
Just like a picnic. Billy opened half a bottle of water.
Well, lets hope it stays a picnic. Dillon toasted them: To us.
TH E FLIGHT was uneventful. The Chieftain landed and taxied to the private section of the airport, where they were off-loaded. Parry stayed at the controls and Lacey saw them out.
Saint-Denis tomorrow, he said, and heaved up the airstair door.
They had light luggage only, but a porter insisted on earning his tip by carrying it on a trolley to security and then out to the pleasant-looking man in his sixties wearing a tweed cap and an old leather coat. His eyes were very blue and he smiled a lot.
Lady Starling, a sincere pleasure. Ive always been enchanted by beauty and brains.
Good heavens, you are a charmer. He took her hand and kissed it.
I feel as if I know you all, having had your pictures thoughtfully faxed to me by my friend Charles. You already seem like old friends. I have a suitable vehicle waiting. He nodded to the porter and led the way out to a Renault station wagon in the car park. The porter loaded the luggage, took his tip, and went off.
Where to now? Dillon asked.
I have a club restaurant on the Seine. I thought you could spend the day with me. Ive no idea why youre here and I dont want to know. Lets keep it that way.
LA BELLE AURORE, his place was called, quite charming and close to the Quai St. Bernard, with a fine view of Notre Dame. There was a basin for moorings close at hand, quite a few motor cruisers with winter covers on them, and a row of barges in which people lived.
The red one is mine. Blériot led the way along a narrow gangway, and they boarded and followed him below. It looked like it had everything that was needed for a comfortable life, an enormous stateroom running into an open kitchen area at one end, a shower room and two bedrooms at the other.
Yours for the day, my friends. Freshen up and then well have a lunch in the restaurant, but first, a present for you from Charles Ferguson. He unlocked a cupboard, took out a travel bag, and put it down on the large coffee table in the center of the stateroom and said to Dillon, Yours, I believe?
Dillon opened it and discovered two Walthers with silencers and a Colt.25, also with silencer, which he handed to Monica. How thoughtful of Ferguson. No good-looking woman should be without one, thats what I always say. I hope its not too heavy for your handbag.
If youre being a male chauvinist pig, Sean Dillon, it doesnt suit you. I would remind you that Ive used a Colt.25, and quite effectively, as you well know.
Dont let him get to you, Monica, Billy said as he checked a Walther. I dont think were into a shooting war this time.
Nothing, my friends, is ever certain in this life, Paul Blériot said. So lets go and have a drink at La Belle Aurore, and you can decide how you would like to fill your day.
AT THE RITZ HOTEL, Kurbsky was still having his breakfast in the suite with Ivanov when he received a request for an audience from the duty manager.
May I ask why? Kurbsky said.
I deeply regret to inform you, Monsieur Kurbsky, it concerns irregularities in the behavior of your companions.
Indeed, Kurbsky said. Well, we cant have that. Come on up. He turned to Ivanov. Trouble with the management about my companions? Whats been going on?