Brian Freemantle: Madrigal for Charlie Muffin

‘I would like to say at the outset on behalf of my government that we greatly appreciate your understanding in allowing this discussion.’ Naire-Hamilton fell easily into standard diplomatic verbosity. The London instructions were that he should lead the meeting, to spare Billington full responsibility as the permanent British representative.

‘And, on behalf of my government, I want to make it clear that we consider what has taken place to be a flagrant breach of every diplomatic understanding,’ said Guiseppe Belli. The Foreign Ministry official was a saturnine, sallowcomplexioned man whose lightweight pinstripe matched Naire-Hamilton’s in elegance. He made a striking contrast with Inspector Moro, who sat to his left. The third Italian, Roberto Delcasta, was the deputy director of Italian intelligence, a slight, bespectacled man.

‘There was no intention for it to be,’ said Naire-Hamilton.

‘How else can it be construed?’ demanded Belli impatiently. His English was clipped and precise.

‘As a sincere attempt on behalf of my country to avoid a scandal,’ said Naire-Hamilton.

‘How?’ demanded Delcasta. ‘The robbery had already created security doubts with other countries.’

Naire-Hamilton nodded for Wilson to take over. Succinctly, with no deviation from the rehearsed story, the intelligence director talked of the suspicion of a traitor within the British embassy, their efforts to locate him and the discovery of a man who had disgraced the service seven years earlier. As he spoke he stared intently at the three Italians facing him, aware of the slight relaxation of their attitude. It was fifteen minutes before he stopped, and at once Naire-Hamilton said, ‘Throughout it has been the intention of the British government to limit the possibility of embarrassment for the Common Market Summit in a fortnight’s time.’

‘Cooperation would have achieved the same result,’ said Belli.

Naire-Hamilton could not be deflected so easily. ‘Until eight o’clock last night we saw it as an internal matter to be controlled within the privileged precincts of our own embassy. We had less than two hours to act when it turned out otherwise.’

‘That is still no explanation for removing the body of the dead British national,’ said Moro. ‘Or seizing the man responsible. That is positive interference in an investigation being carried out by the Italian authorities.’

‘I’ve already explained the purpose; the instinctive reaction was that to call the police risked the matter becoming public’ Naire-Hamilton was adamant.

‘There has to be a satisfactory solution,’ said Belli.

‘Which is why we sought this meeting,’ said Naire-Hamilton.

‘What?’ said the Italian.

‘You had a robbery of a British ambassador, which was distressing so close to the Summit,’ said Wilson, realizing the offer would have to come from them. ‘And from the palm print and blood samples you know you have discovered the thief.’

‘So?’ demanded Moro.

‘It can’t be too hard to invent an account of a successful police investigation, culminating in an attempted seizure during which the man was killed.’

‘A story like that could never be contained within the civil police,’ protested Delcasta.

‘No need even to try,’ said Wilson. ‘Already it is known that Inspector Moro is attached to diplomatic protection. An attempted arrest by a security squad would be publicly acceptable. And also ensure secrecy.’

‘It would also reassure other governments of the effectiveness of your diplomatic safeguard,’ added Naire-Hamilton. ‘And be a strong argument against increasing their own bodyguard contingent.’

‘And you would look after your own problems?’ said Belli.

‘Absolutely,’ said Naire-Hamilton.

‘Which leaves the Summit,’ said Belli.

‘Which I’m also prepared to discuss,’ said Naire-Hamilton.

Wilson looked curiously along his side of the table and then realized that the discussion had moved beyond the seizure on the Via Salaria.

‘My government does not see it as an easy meeting,’ said Belli.

‘There are certain contentious issues,’ said Naire-Hamilton.

‘A possible dispute between us, I believe. About subsidy contributions.’

‘I’m aware of the agenda,’ said Naire-Hamilton.

‘It is an item which my government would prefer not to have been included,’ said Belli.

‘I understand that the items for discussion are still subject to final agreement between the secretariat,’ said Naire-Hamilton.

‘That’s also my understanding,’ said Belli.

‘I’m authorized to say that my government would greatly appreciate your discretion about the difficulties with our embassy.’

‘And I’m authorized to bring it to a conclusion,’ disclosed Belli.

‘It would be unfortunate for there to be disagreements between our two governments.’

‘I am sure it can be avoided.’

‘Have I your guarantee on that?’

Again there was a pause before Naire-Hamilton replied. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘An absolute guarantee.’

Belli pushed back his chair, allowing a smile. Neither Delcasta nor Moro joined in. Wilson felt the meeting moving in their favour. He felt a rare admiration for the way Naire-Hamilton had conducted the negotiations.

‘Any official investigation into what happened at the Via Salaria could provoke unwelcome publicity,’ said Belli. He looked to Moro. ‘Can we make it work?’

‘With the greatest difficulty,’ said Moro reluctantly. The anger was moving through the policeman, so that he found it hard to remain still.

‘But it is possible?’ pressed Belli.

‘I suppose so.’

Belli returned to Naire-Hamilton. ‘My government would also want an assurance that never again would you consider acting in such a fashion in our country.’

‘Which I have given you, unhesitatingly,’ said Naire-Hamilton at once.

Belli forced his public smile. ‘I think we have an agreement.’

They shook hands. ‘There has been no official transcript,’ said Belli. ‘It is important that we trust each other for the agreements to be kept.’

Wilson saw Moro look towards the extensive electronic equipment on the larger table and decided his earlier doubts were well founded.

‘There will be no misunderstanding,’ assured Naire-Hamilton.

*

They had used Billington’s official car, with the glassed partition between them and the driver: Naire-Hamilton and Billington sat in the back with Wilson opposite on the jump seat.

‘The PM won’t like the concessions,’ predicted Naire-Hamilton.

‘There was no choice,’ said Billington. ‘The Italians had all the cards.’

‘He’d set his mind on getting the subsidies properly distributed: it’ll look a ridiculous climb-down.’

‘Lesser of two evils,’ said Billington.

Naire-Hamilton looked up at the intelligence director. ‘Now that’s resolved, we can go ahead as planned,’ he said.

Wilson moved on the cramped seat. ‘I want to question him further,’ he said. ‘That date is an odd disparity.’

Naire-Hamilton let the pause become obvious between them. ‘We’ve pulled back from a potential disaster,’ he said slowly.

‘I want to avoid another one,’ said Wilson.

They had allowed him coffee and bread for breakfast. Charlie guessed it must be mid-morning when they let him empty his bucket, but without any daylight it was difficult to judge. He shuffled across the basement, one hand at his trousers, the other through the wire grip of the pail, with Jackson leading and two men behind. It was a small toilet, obviously rarely used, but there was a hand basin. They made him keep the lavatory door open. Afterwards, without asking, Charlie went to the bowl, sluicing water into his face; there wasn’t any soap, and when he looked around he realized there was no towel either.