"Our codes changed, yours never did," replied the stranger, entering the room and offering his hand. Harry took it, still confused.
"I can't tell you how pleased we are that you made it back from a very cold region."
"What is this, a replay from John le Carr6? If it is, he did it better Sting I can understand," but Catbird's a trifle banal, don't you think? And why weren't you at the embassy? I'm one exhausted deep c, Mr. Catbird. I really need my sleep."
"Yes, I know, and I sincerely apologize. However, there's a level above the embassy, I'm sure you're aware of that."
"Sure. There's the DCI, the Secretary of State, and the President. So, to repeat, what's a catbird?"
"I'll take up but a few minutes of your time," said the pleasant faced man, dismissing Harry's question and removing a pocket watch from his vest.
"This is a family heirloom, and with fading eyes, I find it easier to read. Two minutes, Mr. Latham, and I'll be gone."
"And before you go any further, you'd better show me some very damned authentic identification."
"Naturally." The intruder held up the pocket watch in front of Harry's face and spoke clearly, precisely, while pressin the crown.
"Hello, Alexander Lassiter. It's your friend, Dr. Gerhardt Kroeger, and we must talk."
Harry's eyes suddenly became unfocused, the pupils dilated;
briefly, he was staring at nothing.
"Hi, Gerhardt," he said, "how's my favorite sawbones?"
"Fine, Alex. How are you, and have you taken your stroll today through our meadows?"
"Hey, come on, Doc, it's night. You want me to walk into a pack of Dobermans? Where's your head?"
"Sorry, Alexander, I've been operating most of the day, and you're quite right, I'm as tired as you.. .. But tell me, Alex, when in your thoughts you met with those people at the American Embassy, what happened?"
"Nothing really. I gave them everything I brought out and for the next few days we'll go over it all."
"That's good. Anything else?"
"My brother called from Paris. They're tracing a car under suspicion. My kid brother's a nice fellow, you'd like him, Gerhardt."
"I'm sure I would. He's the one who works for Consular Operations, isn't he?"
"That's right.. .. Why are you asking me these questions?"
Instantly, the pale-faced stranger in the hotel room again held up the pocket watch, pressing the crown twice as Harry Latham's eyes became clear, his focus direct.
"You really do need sleep, Harry," said the man who called himself Catbird.
"I'm just not getting through to you. Tell you what, I'll try you tomorrow, okay?"
"What .. . P9
"I'll be in touch tomorrow."
"Why? @5
"Don't you remember? Good Lord, you are exhausted. The DCI, the Secretary of State .. . the President, Harry. That's who I've been cleared by, that's what you wanted, right?"
"Sure .. . okay. That's what I wanted."
"Get some sleep, Sting. You deserve it." Catbird left hurriedly, closing the door behind him as Harry Latham robotically walked back to the bed and fell into it.
"Who's Catbird?" asked Harry. It was morning and the, three intelligence officers were seated around the conference table, as they had been the previous day.
"I got your call two hours ago," said the American station chief.
"I woke up the DCI himself and he never heard of a Catbird. He also thought it was a pretty stupid name-just like you did, Latham."
"But he was there! I saw him, spoke with him. He was there!
"What did you talk about, monsieur?" asked the man from French intelligence.
"I'm not sure-I don't really know, actually. He seemed perfectly normal, asked me a few innocuous questions, and then .. . I just don't remember."
"May I suggest, Field Officer Latham," the brigadier from Britain's MI-6 broke in, "that you have undergone a most stressful-oh, the devil take it-an unendurable three years. Isn't it possible, and I say this with respect for your outstanding intellect, that you could be subject to illusionary moments? My God, man, I've had operatives working dual personas fantasize and break, having gone through only half your stress."
"I don't break, General. I don't break and I don't fantasize."
"Let's go back, Monsieur Latham," said the Frenchman.
"When you first arrived at the Briiderschaft valley, what happened?"
"oh, " Harry's eyes glanced downward; he felt disoriented for several moments, then everything was clear.
"You mean the accident. Christ, it was terrible. A lot of it's a blur, but the first thing I remember is the shouting, it was hysterical. Then I realized that I was stuck under the truck, a heavy piece of metal pressed against my headI've never felt such pain.. .."