'What was your plan, Mr Hammerstein?'
'To play along with them.'
'In robbery with violence?'
'I'm undercover. As an organisation we're not interested in how they raise their funds. We have a greater objective - the defeat of terrorism.'
'Are British security aware of your involvement?'
'I couldn't tell you. Listen, pal, I'm just an agent putting my life on the line. The top dogs decide who they tell.'
The other man asked exactly the question Harry had been waiting for. 'You say these are terrorists. What sort of terrorism are they involved in?'
'Bombings.'
He waited for it to sink in.
They weren't as impressed as he'd hoped. It seemed they still needed convincing that he was genuinely CIA. 'How did you know we were police?'
'It stands out a mile. There's the bug in the flowers. The marksmen outside. The camera you're pointing at me.' He stared into it and said, 'Hi, guys.'
'Do you think the other man sussed us?'
'Which other . . . ? You mean Abdul, the guy who brought you up here? How would I know if he spotted you?'
'He looked nervous when you opened the door.'
'Maybe he smelt a rat.'
'He could abort the job.'
'Sure.' Harry was content to let them find their own rambling route to the point of panic.
'We'll know if they don't come back.'
'You bet.'
'They've been gone some time already. Which floor is the fitness centre?'
'Couldn't tell you.'
The man with the briefcase said, 'We could be sitting here like dummies while they make their escape.'
'Maybe.'
Another minute went by.
One of the cops looked at his watch. 'This isn't looking good.' He got up and went to the window, returned and sat with the others. 'What's in that?'
'In what?'
'The suitcase.'
Harry eyed the case he had personally filled with phone directories and lugged here. He frowned. 'It's just for show, I guess.'
'What's in it?'
'You've got me there.'
'You don't know?'
'I told you.'
The less talkative of the cops suddenly said, 'Jim.'
'What?'
'These people are bombers.'
'Jesus,' Jim said. The penny had finally dropped.
Harry stood up. 'You could be right. This damned case could be packed with explosives. They can detonate by remote control. We'd better get outta here.'
Jim was first through the door, followed closely by Harry. The corridor looked empty, but this was deceptive. Jim yelled, 'There could be a bomb in there. Clear the floor!' And immediately the doors of two other suites opened and men carrying sub-machine-guns came out. 'It's off,' Jim said. 'Everybody out.'
Harry had already picked his route. Instead of using the lift, which was open, he turned left and took the stairs. Before he was down the first flight he'd ripped off the moustache and pocketed the horn-rimmed glasses. On the third floor he emerged alone. The alarm system had just been switched on. Walking steadily, but without suspicious haste, he made his way along the corridors to the stairs on the opposite side of the building. He descended to ground level and strolled into the street and down the tube.
21
AND STILL THE KILLER WALKS FREE
