Гарри Гаррисон - The QE2 Is Missing

Josep lifted one earphone and nodded solemn agreement, taking no notice of the anger in Hank’s voice. He spoke quickly and curtly and the Tupamaros got up and filed into the next room. Discipline. As soon as the bedroom door had closed behind them Hank went to the dresser and found the fresh tape under the clothing in the bottom drawer.

“Shall I change it now? Before things warm up in there?”

“Yes, good idea,” Uzi said. “Stroessner and two of his aides are in this suite next to you. Admiral Marquez and his people are across the passageway. All of the conversation has been in Spanish so far. Mostly complaints about the flight down here. A big tropical storm brewing and they had to drop down through it to land. Stroessner was airsick and is feeling very sorry for himself. He is now drinking neat gin to cure the condition.”

“That’s a remedy I never heard of before.”

“He is washing it down with Bavarian beer. A Teutonic boilermaker. The phone rang once and he spoke in German when answering it. He was almost polite when he talked, referring to the other party always as Herr Doktor.”

“Could it be Wielgus!?”

“My fingers are crossed — and yours should be as well. We’ve had people watching the boarding in every port, but he could easily have slipped through. Our only photo of him is thirty years old. But if Doctor Joachim Wielgus is aboard, why then we are getting close, very close indeed…. “

“Silence,” Josep said. “He is making another phone call, this one in English. Talking to the weapons people. Telling them to bring the diamond expert at once. Now.”

“This is it!” Hank said. “We have them.”

Even the stolid Josep permitted a small smile to touch his lips as he nodded agreement.

The meeting was taking place.

“Another beer, Jose, instantly, another beer for the love of God!” Stroessner patted his rounded stomach and groaned, then belched deeply. Major de Laiglesia snapped his fingers in the direction of Sergeant Pradera who was standing stolidly near the bar.

“At your orders, General,” the Major said, keeping the chain of command intact.

Pradera opened a bottle, took a chilled mug from the freezer and carefully poured it full, then brought it over on a tray to Stroessner. The General clutched at it, drained half of the contents, then groaned.

“First airsick, then next it will be seasick, I know.”

Major de Laiglesia did his best to reassure his suffering commander. “The storm will undoubtedly end soon. And this ship, so big with tremendous stabilizers, you’ll feel nothing…. “

“Shut up. Pour the gin.”

There was a sudden sharp knocking on the door. Sergeant Pradera stepped to one side where he had a clear view of the door, at the same time drawing his U.S. Army issue.45 calibre automatic. An old and treasured weapon with which he had twice won the Paraguayan National Championship.

“Who is it?” de Laiglesia called out, his hand on the doorknob.

“Chvosta.”

Stroessner nodded and de Laiglesia opened the door.

Sergeant Pradera waited until he was sure of the visitor’s identity before he holstered his gun. The fat weapons merchant had to turn sideways to pass through the door. Aur-elia Hortiguela came after him followed by Hendrik De Groot. Chvosta waited until the door was closed before he spoke.

“This is our diamond man, De Groot. Where are the stones?”

General Stroessner groaned again as he stood and turned his back on Chvosta and walked to the bedroom door. He stopped with his hand on the knob and spoke to de Laiglesia.

“Tell them what has to be done.” He went into the bedroom and slammed the door behind him.

“Your General is a pig,” Aurelia said. Chvosta waved her to silence.

“The diamonds?” he asked again.

“There are certain conditions,” de Laiglesia said. “Your expert is to stay here, you are not. He will examine the stones and make an evaluation of their worth at current market prices. Then he will leave. You will all be summoned when we are ready to finalize the arrangements.”

“There can be no more delays. We have waited long enough already.”

“We will finish this as soon as we can. You must understand that there are complicated international arrangements to be made when dealing with sums of money this size…. “

“I care nothing for your arrangements,” Chvosta broke in, coldly angry. “You have had almost a year to play your games. You have no more time. Tell your principals that you have a maximum of twenty-four hours to finish your business and complete this transaction. After that there will be a five percent additional charge, that is five percent of the total sum, levied for every day’s delay. Understand?”

“You can’t do that!”

“I’ve just done it. You know my cabin number. De Groot, bring me the final figure when you have done your sums. I'll be waiting for you.”

“Yes, Mr. Chvosta.” The diamond expert remained calm. He was used to this kind of emotional scene when large sums of money were involved. It was of no importance to him; his fee would remain the same. He sat on a chair against the wall and put his heavy briefcase on the floor beside him.

As soon as the armament merchants had gone, de Laig-lesia hurried to report to the General, closing the bedroom door behind him so their conversation would not be heard. Sergeant Pradera stared as calmly into space as did the Dutchman. They were both used to waiting. Neither mpved until de Laiglesia returned.

“The diamonds, they’ll be here in a moment,” he said. He was trembling slightly, rubbing his hands together. The General had not received the news graciously. A large rum was very much in order at the moment. But he dare not drink alone.

“Mr. De Groot, can I offer you a drink?”

“I never trink alcoholic beverages ven I am vorking.” His English was perfect, his accent thick. “However, a mineral water, iv you please.”

Sergeant Pradera knew very well what de Laiglesia was after so made no offer of help. The Major opened the bar and found a split of Perrier which he poured out. And the rum for himself, which he drained in a single gulp, putting the glass hurriedly out of sight when the bedroom door suddenly opened and the General poked his head out.

“They are on the way,” he said. “Unlock the door and leave it open. And no questions when they come. Just do as they say. I’ll wait in here, so let me know when they have gone.” He popped back out of sight and closed the door.

The Major forgot the mineral water as he hurried to the door and opened it. De Groot did not mention the oversight. What happened next happened fast: de Laiglesia had just turned around when Fritz appeared behind him, stepping in from the hall. His hand was in his jacket pocket and something hard pressed into de Laiglesia’s back. The young German had been living in this suite since they had left Cape Town and knew it well. He looked swiftly around.

“You there, Sergeant,” he ordered. “Take out that gun with your fingertips and put it on the floor.”

“He doesn’t speak English,” de Laiglesia stammered, then repeated the order rapidly in Spanish.

The Sergeant looked at the newcomer for a long moment before obeying. Moving slowly, drawing the gun and putting it carefully down on the carpet. When Fritz was satisfied, he pushed de Laiglesia further into the room and called back over his shoulder.

“O.K.”

Dr. Wielgus came in followed closely by his bodyguard, Klaus, and the other two young Germans who had also been staying in this suite. He was carrying a black leather bag. He looked coldly at De Groot and waited until the door had been closed before he spoke.

“Are you the one to do the evaluation?”