afternoon. Three of them, here is a list of the names, Bernard Wackie
slid a notepad across the desk, and Nicholas glanced at it quickly.
Charles Gras - I know him, he's Chief Engineer at Construction Navale
Atlantique/ Nicholas explained.
Right/ Bernard nodded. He gave his occupation and employer to
Immigration. Isn't that privileged information? Bernard grinned. I
keep my ear to the ground, and then he was deadly serious again. All
right, so these three engineers have a small suitcase each and a crate
in the hold t at weighs three hundred and fifty kilos, and it's marked
Industrial Machinery . Don't stop now, Nicholas encouraged him.
And there is an S6iN Sikorsky helicopter sitting waiting for them on the
tarmac. The helicopter has been chartered direct from London by Christy
Marine of Leadenhall Street. The three engineers and the case of
machinery are shuttled aboard the Sikorsky so fast that it looks like a
conjuring trick, and she takes off and egg-beats for the south.
'Did the Sikorsky pilot file a flight-plan? Sure did. Servicing
shipping, course 196 magnetic. ETA to be reported. What's the range of
the 6iN - 500 nautical miles? Not bad/ Bernard conceded.
'533 for the standard, but this model has long-range tanks, she's good
for 75o. But that's one way, not the return journey. The helicopter
hasn't returned to Bermuda yet. She could refuel aboard - or, if they
aren't carrying av-gas, she could stay on until final destination/
Nicholas said. What else have you got? You want more? Bernard looked
aghast. Doesn't anything ever satisfy you? Did you monitor the
communications between Bermuda Control, the chopper, and the ship she
was servicing? Nix/ Bernard shook his head. There was a box-up. He
looked shamefaced. It happens to the best of us. Spare me the details.
Can you get information from Bermuda Control of the time the chopper
closed her flight-plan? Jesus, Nicholas, you know better than that.
It's an offence to listen in on the aviation frequencies, let alone ask
them. Nicholas jumped up, and crossed swiftly to the perspex plot. He
brooded over it, leaning on clenched fists, his expression smouldering
as he studied the large-scale map.
What does all this mean to you, Nicholas? Bernard came to stand beside
him.
It means that a vessel at sea, belonging to the Christy Marine fleet,
has requested its head office to send machinery spares and specialist
personnel by the fastest possible means, without regard to expense. Have
you figured the air freight on a package Of 3 5o, kilos? Nicholas
straightened up and groped for the crocodile-skin cheroot case.
It means that the vessel is broken down or in imminent danger of
breakdown somewhere in an area south-west of Bermuda, within an arc of
four hundred and fifty miles probably much closer, otherwise she would
have requested service from the Bahamas, and it's highly unlikely they
would have operated the chopper at extreme range. Right/Bernard agreed.
Nicholas lit his cheroot and they were both silent a moment.
A hell of a small needle in a bloody big haystack/ said Bernard.
you let me worry about that, Nicholas murmured, still without taking his
eyes from the plot.
That's what you are paid for, Bernard agreed amiably.
