Алистер Маклин - Dead Halt

“It’s only a theory,” Whitlock was quick to point out. “And that’s all it can be until we know for sure.”

“Well if you’re right about this and that tape does reach the Press, we’re going to be crucified. We’ll be lucky to keep our pensions. We have to stop him before he leaves the hotel.”

“No,” Whitlock said, putting a restraining hand on Palmer’s arm. “Let him go.”

“What are you talking about? We have to stop him before he can get the tape edited.”

“Trust me,” was all Whitlock would say.

The Land Rover started up in front of them and drew away from the curb, disappearing up an adjoining street.

Reeves crossed to where Palmer and Whitlock were standing. “I’ve pulled all the men out, sir.”

Palmer glanced anxiously at Whitlock but Whitlock just shook his head. “Has the plane been refuelled, Reeves?” he asked calmly.

“Yes, sir, I would think so.”

“Good,” Whitlock replied, clapping his hands together. “Then we can get back to London.”

“What about Brady?” Palmer demanded. “Are you just going to let him walk?”

“Yes,” Whitlock replied bluntly.

“Look, if you’re right–”

“Trust me,” Whitlock said with a reassuring smile. “Now, shall we get back to the plane?”

The complement of Marines on duty that evening at Winfield House, the official residence of the American ambassador in Regent’s Park, were under the direct command of a second lieutenant called Kowalski. Kowalski, who had only recently graduated from the Officers’ Training College at Quantico, Virginia, had made no attempt to hide his contempt for Graham and Sabrina when they arrived at the embassy with the Scoby party. Sabrina had taken an immediate dislike to him, finding him both arrogant and condescending. Graham had been more tolerant. As an ex-soldier he knew that the young officer felt his authority was being undermined by a couple of outsiders. He would have reacted similarly had it happened to him at Delta. Kowalski had shown them around the grounds and made the point several times that security at the embassy was always on full alert. And it would be no different that night. Graham and Sabrina certainly couldn’t find fault with what they had seen. Which meant there wouldn’t be much for them to do other than keep an eye on the Scobys inside the embassy building.

Sabrina had made it plain to Graham from the outset that she thought it best if he shadowed the senator whilst she stayed with Melissa Scoby. It was obvious that she still harbored the bizarre belief that Melissa Scoby fancied him and that, by keeping them apart, she was acting in his best interests. He knew it was ridiculous and although as head of Strike Force Three he could technically overrule her, he wasn’t about to start making waves. It wasn’t worth the aggravation. He went along with it, if only to keep the peace.

Scoby had mingled freely with the guests, establishing as many new contacts as possible. Ambassadors, charges d’affaires, businessmen. Anyone he felt could be useful to him at some point in his future.

Graham was quick to pick up on Scoby’s thought pattern. The more important the contact, the more quality time he would spend talking to them. Those who had nothing to offer him were rewarded with a cursory smile and a handshake before he set off to weed out another potential target. Scoby’s cunning intrigued Graham. He was a scheming bastard. But also a clever one.

At dinner Graham, now the senior UNACO representative there, found himself sandwiched between the wives of two senior European ambassadors and he spent much of the meal tactfully fending off a barrage of questions about both UNACO and the events on the Thames earlier in the day. The secret had been to keep visualizing the poster Whitlock had had on his bedsit wall when he was at Oxford. Diplomacy is telling someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip …

The end of the meal couldn’t come quickly enough for him. He caught up with Sabrina as she was leaving the room with one of the European ambassadors and, grabbing her arm, he gave the ambassador a conciliatory smile before propelling her out into the corridor.

“You looked like you were having fun in there,” she said with a mischievous grin.

“Yeah, sure,” he retorted. “And talking of fun, it’s your turn to check in with Kowalski.”

“I went the last time,” she complained.

“Nice try. Now go on.”

She pulled a face. “Keep an eye on Melissa Scoby for me. The last I saw of her she was with the American ambassador. I shouldn’t be long.”

Graham went through to the lounge but there was no sign of either Jack or Melissa Scoby. He was about to double back and check the dining room again when Melissa Scoby appeared from a doorway further down the hall. The door closed behind her.

Graham crossed to where she was standing. “Where’s the senator?”

“He’s in there with Ray and the ambassador,” she replied, gesturing to the door behind her. “It’s the first chance he’s had all night to have a word with the ambassador in private. Where’s Sabrina?”

“She’s just gone to have a word with the duty officer. She’ll be back shortly.”

“Good,” Melissa Scoby said, then slipped her hand under his arm. “Now you can tell me why you’ve been avoiding me all evening.”

“I haven’t been–” He trailed off when he noticed her teasing smile.

“I could do with a breath of fresh air,” she announced. “Come, walk with me, Mike.”

“Will you be warm enough?” Graham asked as they walked toward the patio.

“I’ll be fine. It’s mild out tonight.” She smiled at a couple sipping liqueurs on the patio then led him down the steps and out into the spacious garden. “I had a long talk with Sabrina earlier this evening. I know that she and I didn’t exactly hit it off from the start. But I realize now that I’ve misjudged her. You’ve got a very smart partner there, Mike. And a very loyal one too.”

“Yeah, I know,” came the hesitant reply.

“She knew straight away that I was flirting with you yesterday. I know Jack didn’t notice. He never does.” Melissa Scoby smiled at Graham’s surprised look. “Sabrina said you hadn’t noticed either.”

“No, I hadn’t,” Graham replied uncertainly.

“I’ve always been a bit of a flirt. It’s all a game to me. But completely harmless as far as I’m concerned. I’ve never cheated on Jack and I never would. It’s Jack’s ambition to reach the White House some day. And when he does eventually decide to run for President, the last thing I want to do is give the Democrats any ammunition to use against him. And infidelity is a serious crime in the eyes of the American electorate. There’re enough discredited politicians around to testify to that. I realized afterwards that it could have been a bit awkward for you and when I saw that you were going to stick with Jack tonight I thought you’d decided purposely to stay out of my way to avoid any further embarrassment. But it turns out it was Sabrina’s idea all the time.”

“She can be very maternal at times,” Graham replied.

Sabrina and Scoby emerged from the house and crossed to where they were standing.

“Have you finished talking to the ambassador?” Melissa Scoby asked her husband.

“Yes. There wasn’t much to discuss. Just a few minor points.” Scoby looked at his watch. “I want to get back to the hotel. Ray and I have still got a lot of documents to sift through tonight. You stay on here if you want. Mike or Sabrina can take you back to the hotel later.”

“No, it’s been quite a day already,” she replied. “I’m ready for an early night.”

“Then we’d better make our apologies to the ambassador and his wife,” Scoby said.