difficult to say no. Call in now and tell Roper. We’ll go back to Chamber Court with the ladies and then check in at Holland Park.”
“You’ll keep us posted?” Katya said.
“Absolutely. There are two important moves in this game. One, to get Kurbsky out of Paris, the second to get him safe in your hands at Holland Park so you can work your magic.” He smiled at Svetlana. “Don’t worry, my love, it’s going to be just fine. Trust me.”
AS IT DREW closer to nine o’clock at Holland Park, they all sat waiting, for Ferguson had called in the Salters, too, and at nine precisely, Kurbsky came through. Roper adjusted Monica’s mobile and Kurbsky spoke.
“Have you got the plan for me? We’re only three days away.”
Roper said, “We will have two operatives arriving in Paris by private plane on Wednesday. Their names are Sean Dillon and Billy Salter. We’ve checked the order of events at the Elysee Palace. Seven o’clock, a glass of champagne as a welcome. Things get serious from eight, then comes the buffet meal. We figure you return to the Ritz for eleven-but it could be earlier.”
“So what happens then?”
“I’m handing you over to Dillon.”
“How do your minders see to you?” Dillon asked.
“They have a rota. One on guard at all times in my sitting room in the suite.”
“You go to bed as soon as you get back, whatever time it is. I would imagine a man of your experience would have no difficulty handling the guard in your room.”
“Then what?”
“Straight downstairs, minutes only. There are always taxis at the rank outside. Tell the driver to take you to the Gare du Nord railway station. There is a train leaving for Brest at midnight. We’ll be waiting at the gate. We’ll even have a passport for you. You’re now Henri Duval.”
“And where does this train take me?”
“Overnight to Brittany, where a private plane waits to bring you to London.”
“It’s so simple, it could work.”
“It will work,” Roper cut in.
“There is only one flaw. I am egotistical enough to assume that Dillon and Salter will recognize me. However, I haven’t the slightest idea what they look like.”
Ferguson, exasperated, said, “Of course they’ll recognize you. Dammit, man, they’ll approach you at the gate.”
“And whisper in my ear?”
Monica said, “Shut up, the lot of you. It’s perfectly simple. I’ll go with them. Will that serve, Alex?”
“Good heavens, yes.”
“That’s settled, then.”
Ferguson said rather lamely, “Well, I suppose it is.”
“Excellent. I’m very grateful, Monica,” Kurbsky said. “I’m sure your two friends will look after you well.”
“Nothing to look after. It’ll be a breeze.” She felt hugely elated and glanced at Dillon, who was smiling wryly.
“One more thing, Major Roper-my future, my anonymity is assured?”
“Believe me, old man, by the time we’ve finished with you, even you won’t recognize who you are.”
Monica said, “Alex, can I have your mobile number?”
“No, but I would like yours, Major Roper. At this stage in the game, it’s essential.”
“Absolutely.” Roper gave it to him. “Take care.”
“But I always do.” Kurbsky clicked off, and there was only silence.
LONDON / PARIS
6
In London, the Embassy of the Russian Federation was situated in Kensington Palace Gardens. There was a safe house close by, where Boris Luzhkov had privileged quarters, and Bounine, now a major, was also well looked after. Included in all this were the joys of Kensington High Street and the pub on the other side. It was just after noon on Tuesday when Bounine went out through the main gate, waited for a break in the traffic, and darted across to keep a lunch appointment with Luzhkov.
Luzhkov had a favorite window seat and was reading the early edition of the Evening Standard. “So there you are,” he said. “How are you finding it?”
“A posting to London at last,” Bounine said. “I like it very well.” He turned as a young waitress approached. “A large vodka, please.”
Luzhkov swallowed the rest of his wine and gave her the glass. “Another for me, and two shepherd’s pies.” He folded the newspaper. “Always read the Standard, it’s an institution, and almost anything on the menu here is excellent. This city is a spy’s heaven, Yuri. At least twenty-four GRU people are here-posing as something else, of course. To be frank, nobody wants to go home from a London posting. What was Dublin like?”
“Great city and great people. The problem was that the ambassador wanted me not only to act like a commercial attache-but be one.”
“What a bore. Still, life has taken on a new meaning for you now. This Kurbsky business. Very special indeed. A great opportunity for both of us.”
“What’s our next move?”
“Not ours, Kurbsky’s. Right about now, his Falcon is leaving the Motherland for Paris.”
His mobile trembled in his shirt pocket, and he answered. “Alexander, my friend, how are you?”
“As good as I’ll ever be. Just taking off from Moscow. How are you and Yuri settling in?”
“He can’t believe his luck. We’re enjoying lunch in my favorite pub across the street from the Embassy.”
“Good for you, and now to business. You’re aware that idiot Gregorovich informed me we would be staying at the Ritz because the Ministry did not want to shame the Motherland by its frugality. Naturally, the lads are rather worked up at the prospect of French chambermaids.”
“To say that I seriously doubt the competence of Ivanov, Kokonin, and Burlaka is putting it mildly, and the chambermaids they lust after will probably turn out to be Polish. I’ve given young Ivanov my personal mobile number so that he may call me at any time if he has a problem. So what have Ferguson ’s people got planned?”
“I return to the hotel after the Elysee Palace affair is over. By then it will be late, so I retire to bed, having an early start for Moscow in the morning. As usual, I’ll have one of the lads on guard in the sitting room by the suite. I’m to deal with him.”
“Permanently?”
“That would seem extreme. Only if it’s necessary.”
“And then?”
Kurbsky told him of the train to Brittany, and Luzhkov said, “Nice and simple. Dillon and Salter are very good, but I suppose the woman could complicate things.”
“Not really. It should all be perfectly straightforward. Let’s get one thing clear: When I get to London safely and find myself in Ferguson ’s hands, I’m going to go with the flow, step by step, and evaluate what they’ve worked out for me. I won’t be calling you every five minutes, and if I turn my phone off, you’ll just have to accept that. By the way, I’ve turned off my recording facility.”
“I’d rather you didn’t do that.”
“Too bad, Colonel. I’ll be in touch when I have something to say.”
The line went silent. Luzhkov said, “The bastard.”
Bounine looked bewildered. “Something wrong?”
“Very much so. Kurbsky is suddenly turning awkward.” He shook his head. “I’m beginning to get a bad feeling
