He leaned back in his seat, wiped his brow again, and cursed the heat silently. He stood and walked along the corridor and down the stairs to the back of the immigration counter, where he asked the woman politely if he might be able to borrow a telephone. She took him through to her office.
Field called Yang and asked if he had any messages. There was one from Caprisi, asking him to ring back. Field stared at the phone, then picked up the receiver and asked the operator if she would again put him through. The taste of betrayal was in his mouth. He thought himself a fool to have trusted anyone here.
“Caprisi, it’s Field.”
“Polar bear.”
There was an awkward silence.
“You called me,” Field said.
“Yes, where are you?”
Field hesitated. “The Immigration Department.”
“Hunting for addresses?”
“Yes.”
“Well, keep hunting. Macleod has called it off; the door-to-door boys were being tailed.”
“By whom?”
“The French.”
Field could hear the sound of his own breathing.
“Still there, polar bear?”
“Yes.”
“You’re very quiet again.”
“Am I?”
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“Call me when you get back to the office.”
“Sure.”
“And polar bear . . .”
“Yes.”
“Be careful with that woman.”
“Which woman?”
“You know who I’m talking about.”
Field felt his anger flaring.
“You were around there last night, so don’t kid me you don’t know who I’m talking about.”
Field could feel his heart beating hard in his chest. “How do you know?”
“I have my sources.”
“I’ve noticed.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It’s funny how they always seem to know what we’re doing.”
There was another silence.
“What are you saying, polar bear?”
“I’m not saying anything.”
“Doesn’t sound that way to me.”
Field didn’t answer.
“You need to wise up. I know where you were, because I can see it coming. It’s impossible, Field. Trust me. And dangerous for both of you.” Caprisi breathed in sharply. “If you won’t believe me, then there is nothing I can do.”
“Then do nothing.”
“The possibilities are not endless, Field.”
“So I’m told.”
“Told by whom?”
“Never mind.”
“If she is loyal to him, then you are being manipulated. If she is seeking a bit of fun, or if she really loves you and seeks an escape, then you are playing a dangerous game.”
