Here Be Monsters

so my Israeli friends tell me. But when his old friend -his very old friend - who, quite surprisingly, is me… when his old friend phones him up this morning, first his secretary says he's a busy man, and hard luck… But then she phones me back and says he has got maybe a few spare minutes, between one pressing matter and another. And that begins to interest his old friend, Elizabeth. And then you're quite unconscionably late.

But he's still got time to spare. And that might also be luck. But I think I've had all the luck I can reasonably expect already. So that interests me even more. So I'm just pushing my luck for another five minutes, do you see?' He smiled hideously at her. 'Besides which I really would like to know what Major Turnbull said about Mr Edward Parker, Elizabeth.'

'And I'd like to know what Squadron Leader Thomas has to do with Xenophon Oil, David.'

He nodded. 'Fair enough. And the answer is - absolutely nothing, so far as I know.' He looked at her. 'So now I get my answer - fair?'

It wasn't in the least fair. But, unfair or not, she needed Audley more than he needed her.

'He thinks Parker was murdered.'

This time the look was elongated. 'Yes…' Then he nodded again. 'Yes… although he didn't say quite as much in his report. But then he has this thing - this psychological block, would it be? - about unveiling his opinions in print.' He cocked an eye at her. 'But if he says that was the way of it, then we had both better believe it… And that justified dear Oliver St John Latimer taking me away from more important matter, I suppose.'

More important matters? There was a display of time spanning Xenophon's international, dummy2

intercontinental, world-wide operations, electronically illustrated over a huge spinning globe in the middle of the foyer, continuously red for this minute of British Summertime, and green for Xenophon's own communications satellite, as it fulfilled its function from the North Slope of Alaska to the China Sea. But Elizabeth felt only the pressure of the red numbers adjusting their verticals and horizontals as her own lifespan was counted.

'Good God!' exclaimed Audley, looking past her. ' Razzak!'

The emphasis twisted her towards the direction of his attention. 'What?'

'Razzak!' This time he only murmured the name, but took a half-step sideways as he did so. 'Well, well! Hullo there?

There had been people there, in the doorway, where the doors had been hissing them in and out all the time as they had been talking. But now there was a large Arab there, transfixed by Audley's glance.

'Hah!' The man's hesitation was lost in his slight change of direction. 'David - of all people!

What black mischief are you up to here?'

'My dear fellow - not the same as yours, I hope!' Audley completed the step. 'I didn't even know you were in London - ' He broke off as the same receptionist whom he had bullied came out of nowhere to intercept the Arab.

'General?' The same welcoming smile was there, but it was a desperate smile, bereft of both hope and confidence. 'General Razzak?'

The Arab turned towards the woman. 'Madame… I have an appointment with Colonel Saunders. But it was made very recently, by telephone, so I quite appreciate any delay. So I will wait here - ' He flicked a glance towards the entrance, which was now partially obscured by two large men who were patrolling the steps at different levels, admiring the view ' - until the Colonel is free?'

'Ah - ' began Audley.

'A moment, David - ' The Arab held up a mutilated hand. ' -I am at your service, Madame.'

'Oh - yes, General.' The effort of not looking at Audley embarrassed the woman, 'Colonel Saunders will see you now. If you will go to the right-hand lift, General. Level Six.'

'Thank you, Madame.' The Arab bowed. 'That is most kind of you. After I have transacted the common courtesies with this gentleman I will go directly to Level Six. And meanwhile, dummy2

if you could report my arrival to my embassy? Would that be possible?'

'Of course, General. Immediately.'

'Thank you.' The Arab smiled sweetly at her, and then cased the foyer for a second time as she returned to the desk. 'The Libyans have put a price on my head, so I have to take these boring precautions, David - please forgive me.'

'And the Iranians too, presumably?' Audley was quite matter-of-fact.

'And them too!' The Arab completed his scrutiny, and grinned at Audley. 'You have your cross to bear - and I have my crescent. The irony of which is that I shall go to Paradise, while you will find yourself rubbing shoulders with them in Hell.'

'But you'll put in a good word for me? For old time's sake?'

'I will not.' The Arab had already observed Elizabeth surreptitiously, but now he studied her with frank curiosity. 'Until you remember your manners, David.'

General who? Elizabeth racked her brains. Audley had once been a Middle Eastern expert, as well as the author of a scholarly work on the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, until he had blotted his copybook. And he was still very thick with the Israelis. But that somehow made this friendship more unlikely.

'I beg your pardon, Miss Loftus.' Audley sounded slightly distant. 'May I present my old and dear friend, General Muhammed Razzak, late of the Egyptian army?'

Razzak, of course! She had once heard David say, a propos the Sadat assassination, it wouldn't have happend if old Razzak hadn't been in Washington at the time.

' Enchante, Miss Loftus,' The General carried her hand to his lips with what was left