John Gardner - Seafire

"Yes, why, Captain Bond?" Their new Chairman began to sound very reserved. "There is a technical point here, though. If Tarn has already reclaimed his German citizenship, the ball might well be out of our court."

"His lawyers, who seem to be mainly concerned in property matters, are the only people who know that – apart from the German authorities and myself." He had already sifted this one through his mind and knew it was a technicality that the bureaucrats could argue about for months. "I think, with all respect, sir, that we should ignore the change in citizenship, unless Tarn makes some early announcement."

"Well, possibly." Lord Harvey was obviously well versed in the tangled niceties of this kind of thing. "However, I did ask you why you required permission to hunt for him in Puerto Rico."

"Sir, what began as a relatively simple operation to prove that Sir Max Tarn was guilty of certain acts of fraud, and possible illegal arms dealing, has become a personal vendetta between the two of us."

The Chairman spoke softly, leaving nobody in doubt that he also carried a big stick. "I thought that went against all the tenets of your Service, Bond. You should never make any operation personal. It's the impersonality of such things that keeps you distanced, allows you to act only for your country, and remain detached from the people involved."

"Times are changing, sir. Also, there are moments in this business when you have to get close up and personal, as our American cousins would say."

"Talking of our American cousins," Bill Tanner spoke quietly. "If you're sent off to the Caribbean to operate in Puerto Rico, then the Americans will have to sanction this as well as The Committee."

"Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the United States." There was a trace of irritation in Bond's voice. "At their last referendum they refused to join the United States with full status."

"That doesn't mean we can just let the Americans go hang." Lord Harvey was no fool. "What you appear to be asking might not be in our power to give. The Yanks've turned us down before. They have the right to ask for complete details of any legal infringements and go after the party, or parties, concerned using their own agencies on their own turf, so to speak."

"And you won't consider turning a blind eye?"

"How could we, and where's your solid evidence regarding Tarn and Puerto Rico?"

"You can probably get that in twenty minutes flat. My people are working on the financial and legal aspects of this case, in Bedford Square. They can probably track down evidence that either Tarn himself or Tarn International owns property in Puerto Rico. Damn it all, his container ships are in and out of there all the time; his cruise ships call in regularly; he has friends in moderately high places and they turn a blind eye to what he's doing. I think it's the least you can do."

"This Committee cannot do that, Captain Bond. We're accountable. We're the ones who'll end up with empty rice bowls if things go wrong." Harvey smiled, as if he were saying, "Sorry old boy, but it's out of the question. Nothing personal."

"Again, with respect, sir, I'm the one who could well end up without his life."

"Add me to that." So far, Flicka had stayed silent. "You do realize what's going to happen if someone doesn't go after Tarn from here? If we don't take complete action and run him to earth? He's going to get away with it. Everyone will turn a blind eye, including the Americans. Our so-called civilization will be the loser, Tarn will emerge victorious, and we'll all be back in the dark ages. I have respect for our American allies, but even if they did take over, even if Tarn were arrested, we'd still be haggling over him ten years from now while he would be sitting on his own pile of wealth and possibly the power of the Chancellorship of Germany. The fact that several thousand deaths will lie at his door won't even cross his mind. Only Tarn will be the winner."

"Maybe." Thickness, of the Security Service, spoke for the first time. "But the Chairman's right. Puerto Rico is not in The Committee's bailiwick. Before we could even discuss letting you go, the American agencies would have to be brought in."

"It's going to take months if you do that." Bond was truly angry. This is what happens when you allow a series of committees and the by-the-book attitude of frightened politicians to take over. "Next thing, you'll be saying that permission'll also have to be granted by the EEC."

"Could very well be," muttered the Chairman.

"So you're all prepared to sit here, hold meetings with the American intelligence agencies and their law enforcement people, before you allow us to go and deal with the business?"

"I see no other way."

"Look, James." Bill Tanner used his most conciliatory voice. "There is a way. What if we promised to give you an answer in, say, a week's time? You could take seven days' leave and just wait it out. I don't suppose a week's going to make any difference, is it?"

The look that passed between the Chief of Staff and Bond spoke volumes. Bill Tanner knew how, in the old days, at the height of the Cold War, their old Chief, M, had got around red tape by simple and direct means. Tanner was telling Bond to get on and do it, in his own time, without getting tied hand and foot by the same red tape that M snipped through, putting his own position on the line.

Bond opened his mouth, then thought better of it. Finally he said, "Bill, you're right, of course. Just as The Committee is right. Fredericka and I cannot expect any of you to put yourselves in jeopardy over this, and a week probably won't make any difference. I change my plea. Might we have a week's leave while you sort matters out with the American services?"

"Granted." Lord Harvey looked relieved. "Get a good rest, Captain Bond, and leave us a number where we can contact you – and Fräulein von Grüsse as well, of course."

"How?" Flicka asked when they were settled in the car.

"How?" he parroted. "How d'you think, Flick? We just go and do it."

"So where do we go first?"

"Get some lunch, then go for a sick visit. We see M, because if we don't there'll be one hell of a stink. I have to let him know where we'll be. I also want his okay to use things over which he still has control."

They stopped for lunch on the way to the M4 and, eventually, Quarterdeck.

Halfway through the meal, she leaned over and took one of his hands in both of hers. "James, darling," she spoke in almost a whisper, "I love you as I've loved no other man. I took your side in there with those idiots who would see the whole of Europe down the drain rather than compromise themselves."

"They don't mean to be like that, Fredericka. I'm sure that in about five days they'll have it all sorted out. Deep down they know I'm right. It's just the whole idea of a committee being responsible for intelligence and security that bothers me, and in five days it will almost certainly be too late."

"Just let me say one thing, James," she persisted. "I feel like you, and I'll do whatever you say. Tarn has got to be brought down, but please don't feel it's necessary to take huge risks simply because you've had to act over a matter of principle. I'll stand by you all the way, but you can back down if you feel it's wiser. You certainly won't lose face in my eyes."

He thought for a few seconds. Then: "Flick, I truly mean this. I'll be honest with you. We could both quite easily die when we get close to Max Tarn again, but I have to try and topple the man. The world's a dangerous enough place without people like him who make it even more hazardous and unhealthy. Neither of us know what he's got going out there in the Caribbean, and it could be something more horrific than either of us could dream about. No, I couldn't sleep peacefully in my bed unless I at least make a final attempt to get him. You don't have to risk your life by coming with me. In fact, I'd rather that you stayed here in the comparative safety of London."