'Sandy.'
'That will be Major Alexander Smith. He's not here at the moment. May I take a message' Wolff had known the major would not be at GHQ-it was too early. 'The message is: Twelve noon today at Zamalek. Would you sign it: S. Have you got that?'
'Yes, but if I may have your full-'
Wolff hung up. He left the post office and headed for Zamalck. Since Sonja had seduced Smith, the major had sent her a dozen roses, a box of chocolates, a love letter and two hand delivered messages asking for another date. Wolff had forbidden her to reply. By now Smith was wondering whether he would ever see her again. Wolff was quite sure that Sonja was the first beautiful woman Smith had ever slept with. After a couple of days of suspense Smith would be desperate to see her again, and would jump at any chance.
On the way home Wolff bought a newspaper, but it was full of the usual rubbish. When he got to the houseboat Sonja was still asleep. He threw the rolled-up newspaper at her to wake her. She groaned and turned over.
Wolff left her and went through the curtains back into the living room. At the far end, in the prow of the boat, was a tiny open kitchen. It had one quite large cupboard for brooms and cleaning materials. Wolff opened the cupboard door. He could just about get inside if he bent his knees and ducked his head. The catch of the door could be worked only from the outside. He searched through the kitchen drawers and found a knife with a pliable blade. He thought he could probably work the catch from inside the cupboard by sticking the knife through the crack of the door and--easing it against the spring-loaded bolt. He got into the cupboard, closed the door and tried it. It worked.
However, he could not see through the doorjamb.
He took a nail and a flatiron and banged the nail through the thin wood of the door at eye level. He used a kitchen fork to enlarge the hole. He got inside the cupboard again and closed the door. He put his eye to the bole.
He saw the curtains part, and Sonja came into the living room. She looked around, surprised that he was not there. She shrugged, then lifted her nightdress and scratched her belly. Wolff suppressed a laugh. She came across to the kitchen, picked up the kettle and turned on the tap. Wolff slipped the knife into the crack of the door and worked the catch.
He opened the door, stepped out and said: 'Good morning.'
Sonja screamed.
Wolff laughed.
She threw the kettle at him, and he dodged. He said: 'It's a good hiding place, isn't it?'
'You terrified me, you bastard,' she said.
He picked up the kettle and handed it to her. 'Make the coffee,' he told her. He put the knife in the cupboard, closed the door and went to sit down.
Sonja said: 'What do you need a hiding place for?'
'To watch you and Major Smith. It's very funny-he looks like a passionate turtle.'
'When is he coming?'
'Twelve noon today.'
'Oh, no. Why so early in the morning?'
'Listen. If he's got anything worthwhile in that briefcase, then he certainly isn't allowed to go wandering around the city with it in his hand. He should take it straight to his office and lock it in the safe. We mustn't give him time to do that-the whole thing is useless unless he brings his case here.
What we want is for him to come rushing here straight from GHQ. In fact, if he gets here late and without his briefcase, we're going to lock up and pretend you're out-then next time he'll know he has to get here fast.' 'You've got it all worked out, haven't you?'
Wolff laughed. 'You'd better start getting ready. I want you to look irresistible.'
'I'm always irresistible.' She went through to the bedroom.
He called after her: 'Wash your hair.' There was no reply.
He looked at his watch. Time was running out. He went around the houseboat hiding traces of his own occupation, putting away his shoes, his razor, his toothbrush and his fez. Sonja went up on deck in a robe to dry her hair in the sun. Wolff made the coffee and took her a cup. He drank his own, then washed his cup and put it away. He took out a bottle of champagne, put it in a bucket of ice and placed it beside the bed with two glasses. He thought of changing the sheets, then decided to do it after Smith's visit, not before. Sonja came down from the deck. She dabbed perfume on her thighs and between her breasts. Wolff took a last look around. All was ready. He sat on a divan by a porthole to watch the towpath.
It was a few minutes after noon when Major Smith appeared. He was hurrying, as if afraid to be late. He wore his uniform shirt, khaki shorts, socks and sandals, but be had taken off his officer's cap. He was sweating in the midday sun.
He was carrying his briefcase.
Wolff grinned with satisfaction.
'Here he comes,' Wolff called. 'Are you ready?'
'No.'
She was trying to rattle him. She would be ready. He got Into the cupboard, closed the door, and put his eye to the peephole.
He heard Smith's footsteps on the gangplank and then on the deck. The major called: 'Hello?'
