schedule. The GIGN, SAS and her own detectives will head her off at the pass, so to speak-it's our only fail-safe. They'll manufacture a problem with the aircraft, or the helicopter: something which makes it impossible.
`If that has to be done, sir, then I shall not be alive to see it.
You should know that, in all probability, if she does not put in an appearance, he'll only get her somewhere else. Now, let me look at the arrangements for Sunday.
Once more, within the room, there was a sense of tension released, and Bond knew what many of them were thinking-'Thank God it's not me.' `What do you need, James? Ask for anything.
`A few hours alone with Ben, here.' He indicated the roly-poly Head of Disney Security. `Then, when we've talked, I want a couple of hours on my own to work it out. After that can we talk again, sir?' * * * They were given a large empty office on the third floor where Ben spread out a chart of the entire Disney area, and began to recite the arrangements which had been coordinated between the Disney organization and those who advised the Princess.
He talked for a long time, showing exactly where the royal party would arrive, and what exhibits and rides had been selected. He added that the bulk had been chosen by young Prince William and Prince Harry.
`Our own people and the French police will be there for crowd control...
`You mean the park is going to be open to the public as usual?' Bond looked up sharply.
`Oh, yes. It's one of Princess Diana's stipulations. She wants her party to mingle with the public for as long as possible. We, of course, are arranging that one car of each ride is specially set aside, and decorated, for her and the children, but the rides will run normally and there will be other people on them at the same time as the royal party. Naturally, they get to queue-jump.' He gave a nervous little laugh, which Bond did not return.
`The Disney Board of Directors is very worried about all this.' Ben did not lose his smile. `It would be terrible publicity for the entire company.
`It wouldn't actually make the Royal Family's day either.' He gave Ben a sham, unsmiling look, but the security chief maintained his cheerful expression. Probably the happy face came with the territory.
`You know, the first time I went to the Magic Kingdom, in Orlando, I didn't think I was going to like it.' Bond thought he might put the man at ease by telling him the truth. `Funny, I went with a girlfriend and we only booked for two days. I thought the whole thing would be tasteless, tawdry and a bit phony. In the end we stayed for a week.
The great thing about Disneyland is that it works.
The moment they walk through those gates and find themselves in the Town Square and Main Street, the visitors know that they're going to have one hell of a good time. The rides are a knockout, and it does become wonderful.
`I'm pretty case-hardened, Ben, but there's a child in all of us, and that place brings out all the wonder of childhood. I noticed then that there were as many adult couples having a good time as there were children. I tend to get a bit angry when people knock your outfit.
`You don't work there unless you feel like that. Ben's smile broadened.
`Is the Euro complex the same as the others Orlando, Anaheim, Tokyo?' `If you know the layout of those, then you'll recognize Euro Disney. We have the same distinct areas Main Street USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Discoveryland, with the Sleeping Beauty's Castle dominating the whole thing though it's called Le Ghdteau de la Belle all Bois Dovmant, like we've also got Blanche-Neige et les Sept Na ins, and La Cabine des Robinsons. But you'll recognize it all, even with the few additions Star Tours which is a terrific ride through the Star Wars experience, with a novice robot at the controls of your space vehicle.' `So, which areas will the royal party be seeing?' Ben went through his list: they were to arrive at eight-thirty on the Sunday morning, an hour before the park opened.
The tour was to include Main Street USA; the Euro Disney Railroad, which circles the entire hundred and thirty-six acres; Phantom Manor-the Euro Disney name for the Haunted Mansion Star Tours; Pirates of the Caribbean; the Carousel and a trip on the sternwheel steamboat Mark Twain.
`That's a two-hour schedule,' Ben told him, `but we've left a half-hour at each end in case the princes persuade their mama to let them go on something else.
Bond questioned him about the way security worked, learned about the underground tunnels which allowed maintenance and emergency access to any part of the park, while employees also kept a strict eye on each of the rides and experiences.
`There are people down there watching all the time tending the TV monitors, the computers that run the main shows, and the audio-animatronics, the robot people and animals.
The accent on everything down there is smooth and efficient running. The visitors and their safety come first.' As he talked, Ben pointed out the various routes and sights on the large plan. They went on for over two hours, after which Bond asked to be left alone with the chart.
Now it starts, he thought, and for the next hour and a half, he examined the map, thinking himself into David Dragonpol's mind, trying to follow the serial assassin's logic. What would he do? How would he go about something as calculated and cold-blooded as this particular killing?
When he had made certain decisions, he rang M's office. `I'm ready to put my suggestions to the whole team, sir.' `I'll get them in here. Some of them are probably asleep, but let's do it now.
As he entered the now crowded office, the first person he saw, waiting for him by the door, was the delectable Ann Reilly, assistant to the armourer, Head of Q Branch, and, therefore, known to all as Q'ute. She was still as desirable as ever a tall, elegant, leggy young woman with sleek and shining straw-coloured hair which she wore in an immaculate, if severe, French pleat.
`M says I'm to give you anything you're going to need,' she said, with her eyes wide and innocent.
`Chance, my darling Q'ute, would be a fine thing, as they say.
`Oh, you're hooked well and proper, James. I've met the lovely Fredericka, and you might not escape from that one's clutches.
`Actually I might not want to.
`Good. Now what do you need?' He had already prepared a small list which he handed over, telling her that Ben should take the stuff with him back to Paris. `I'll brief him before he goes.' She nodded and departed to search the Q Branch stores for the listed items.
As he turned back into the room, he found Fredericka beside him.
`That Q'ute person?' she began.
`You haven't been playing fast and loose with her, have you, darling James?' `A little fast, but never loose.' `Well forget it, my dear. I'll scratch her eyes out and rip the hair off her head if she ever makes a move.' `It's your subtle approach I love so much, Flick.
`Well, I do have one boon to crave.' `And?' `M says I can't come with you. He's told me that Euro Disney is out of bounds to me. He's even suggesting that I should go and pamper myself in some health farm.
A place called Shrublands.' `I'd try and talk him out of that, Flick.
I went there once and it almost killed me.' `James, I want you to talk him out of keeping me away from Euro Disney.' He put his arms on her shoulders and looked into her face. `No, Flick. Nothing against your experience and training. Nothing against your sex.
Nothing that's politically incorrect. But I'm going alone, and it's the only way. This is one of those times when we have to play it mano a mano, as they say.' She was about to protest when M called everyone to order. `Captain Bond has come to certain conclusions,' he said, setting the stage for his agent to talk.
The plan of the Euro Disney complex was pinned to a board which Bill Tanner had placed on an easel. Bond walked over to it and began crisply.
`Please interrupt at any time. First, I believe that Dragonpol will spend Saturday night and Sunday morning inside Euro Disney, setting things up.
`That's impossible, James. Nobody gets to stay inside. Our security. ` Ben started.
`Just one minute, Ben.' Bond silenced him with a look. `We're not talking about just anybody, we're talking about a very experienced serial assassin who can walk through walls. He has his own little theme park. I've seen it, and, believe me, he's forgotten everything your people know about audio-animatronics, or optical illusions. I promise you that, however tight your security might be, Dragonpol will stay where he wants to stay, and be where he wants to be. If I'm right, he'll certainly be in the park over Saturday night.' Ben went silent, allowing him to continue.
