Harland frowned. ‘Does this overlap with anything you’ve been doing for RAPTOR?’
‘No, but I would like to make a call on this phone if you wouldn’t mind. I have a friend who may still be up.’
She got through to Dolph, whose brisk hello rang out on the conference speaker.
‘Why’re you up so late?’ she asked.
‘Waiting for you.’
‘But what are you doing?’
‘Turns out that the Americans are keen poker players. We’ve got two full tables on the go, playing for a monkey – that’s five hundred nicker in your language, Isis.’
‘Don’t you sleep?’
‘No one knows whether it’s day or night down here. We’re like beagles in a smoking lab, or labs in a smoking beagle. Whichever way you like it.’
‘Are you drunk, Dolph?’
‘No, merely rat-arsed.’
She was aware of Harland’s disapproving gaze. ‘Dolph, I need your help, so pull yourself together.’
‘I love it when you’re strict.’
‘I want to know about Bosnia – the siege of Sarajevo.’
‘Okay.’
‘We’re interested in a commander of Muslim soldiers. We have no name apart from The Poet, but this was not commonly used.’
‘Well that narrows it down,’ said Dolph, laughing.
‘Come on Dolph. I haven’t got time…’
‘Well, there was Abu Abdel Aziz or Barbaros – the guy with the two-foot beard.’
‘No, someone less obvious. Perhaps a scholar of some sort, but a good fighter.’
‘So we’re looking for a member of the Mujahideen Brigade that was disbanded after Dayton?’
‘Maybe. We’re right at the beginning with this one, so we’re interested in anything.’
‘I’ll talk to some of the hacks who were there during the siege. They may have come across him. Any idea where this character came from?’
‘Pakistan or Iran are possibilities.’
‘Have you got a description? His age at the time?’
‘No – we know he is about five foot five or six.’
‘Don’t burden me with detail, Isis,’ he laughed. ‘I’ll call you if I get something. Where’re you going to be?’
‘On my cell phone.’
‘Hey, Isis. You got to hear about Joe Lapping before you go.’
‘Okay.’ Herrick sat back smiling.
‘So Lapping is left in Sarajevo instead of me. The French tumble him in precisely three and a half seconds and start making his life hell. Lapping can’t move without one of the Frogs whispering “Rozbeef spy” in his ears. He gets completely freaked, changes his address and then can’t find his way home and has to put up with some aid worker while the apartment is found. Meanwhile the Frogs have moved every bird with a dodgy past into Lapping’s place and opened it as a brothel.’ Dolph broke off. She could hear him helpless with laughter and thumping something in the background. ‘So when Lapping eventually gets home he’s greeted by some lovely wearing the top of his Marks and Spencer pyjamas smoking a spliff, at which point the Frogs arrange for the place to be raided by the Bosnian vice squad.’ He stopped again. Herrick glanced at Harland, who was smiling. ‘You got to hand it to him,’ continued Dolph, ‘I mean there’s never been anyone like Lapping in our business. He’s classic.’
‘Where’s he now?’
‘Still in Sarajevo. They’re making new arrangements but there’s no rush coz the suspect’s gone to ground.’ He paused. ‘You know, Lapping could be really good on this. Seriously. He’s a prize researcher, loves nothing better than sifting through dusty files in Serbo-Croat. That’s like a threesome to Lapping. I can easily put him on to it through RAPTOR. Nobody will know.’
‘Good.’
‘And don’t forget your friend in Beirut,’ he said.
‘I won’t.’
The Chief did not phone until 6.30 a.m. local time. The plane carrying Khan had touched down at Cairo and been greeted by members of the local CIA station and the Egyptian intelligence service. As far as the local MI6 people could make out, he had been taken straight to police headquarters. There was some suggestion that he would make an appearance in court that day in connection with the slaying of the newspaper editor, but the Chief thought this unlikely because any lawyer appointed to Khan’s defence would be able to demonstrate that he was not Jasur Faisal, and would move to have him released.
‘Who else was on the plane?’ asked Herrick.
‘Two of the men from the Tirana station and the Syrian gentleman. He turns out to be Dr Ibrahim al Shuqairi, an extremely nasty piece of work. He has a Syrian passport but is from one of the Sunni tribes in Iraq. In any sane world he would be tried as a war criminal.’
‘So, there’s nothing we can do.’
The Chief mumbled, ‘We’ll see about that. Now, tell me, what did you make of Loz’s answers?’
Harland and Herrick looked at each other. ‘I’d say it’s worth looking into the business of the Bosnian commander known as The Poet,’ offered Harland. ‘It appears he was in New York in late 1999. But you know it may be all nonsense. There’s nothing hard.’
The Chief digested this.
‘We’re working on the Bosnian angles,’ said Herrick. ‘Andy Dolph is going to ring some contacts.’
‘Can he be discreet about this? He can’t talk about it at RAPTOR.’
‘There’s no one more reliable,’ said Herrick.
‘Good. Right. Well, Isis, I think you’d better get back here. Harland, I wonder if you could help us to get Loz out. Nothing complicated. A boat ride to Italy. That’s all. I’m putting the arrangements in place now. You’ll get further instructions during the morning.’
Herrick noticed the expression in Harland’s eyes had darkened a little.
‘You do realise I’m not working for you, Chief,’ he said.
‘Of course, of course. Forgive me, Bobby. You know how grateful we are to you, I’m sure. I’m glad you’ve reminded me you’re helping as an irregular. We’re indebted to you. Oh, by the way, I have some movement on that trace we discussed in New York. I think it looks very promising.’
Harland said nothing.
‘Eva – I think she’s alive. Perhaps you would rather discuss it another time. We’re likely to get some more.’
‘Yes,’ said Harland quietly. ‘Yes, thank you. You understand I must consult with the Secretary-General about my movements. I have to answer to his brief.’
‘Yes, you’re quite right,’ said the Chief emolliently. ‘I just pray that you will be able to see your way to helping us on this one. Do you think there’s any chance of Mr Jaidi letting you do your bit?’
‘What is my bit?’
‘We’ll talk when you’re in Italy. In the meantime, expect to be joined by several friends at the Embassy. They’ll get Loz out. And Bobby, thank you again for all you’re doing. I think you know how important this is.’
Isis watched his effortless manner sedate Harland. It occurred to her that he was susceptible only because there was some part of him that privately felt he still belonged in the Secret Intelligence Service, or at least was animated by the challenge and felt he could still rise to it better than most. In that way he was not unlike Munroe Herrick. She wondered about the woman mentioned by the Chief, and Harland’s curiously subdued reaction. What the hell was that about?
He must do away with himself. That was his only thought as the plane touched down and sped along the runway to a desolate spot on the airbase where some vehicles waited. Gibbons cut the plastic restraints on his
