his office, away from the embassy. Suddenly both took on images he did not care to think about, not after what had happened less than four hundred feet up the street. Still he had to think about them, think hard and deep.
"Reservation in the name of De Vries," he said in English to the tuxedoed man at the lectern.
"Yes, of course, sir.. .. You're a bit early, monsieur."
"Is that a problem?"
"Not at all. Come, I'll take you to your table. The madame prefers the rear section."
"My name's Jones. I may be getting a telephone call."
"I'll bring it to the table-"
"To the table?"
"These days everyone has a telephone, no? How people can drive and walk across the streets in traffic while on the phone amazes me. Mon Dieu, no wonder our accident rate is so high!"
"Tell me," said Latham, thinking quickly as he sat down.
"Could you bring me a telephone now?"
"Certainement. Local'or long distance, monsieur?"
"Long distance," replied Drew, frowning in thought.
ill
"The telephone is numbered, and the charges will be listed on your bill."
"It must be a pain in the neck for you," said Latham.
"It could be, but we don't tell everyone or advertise the convenience. So many carry around their own phones-"
"Youtold me," Drew interrupted, looking at the man.
"Well, of course. You are with the ambassade amiricaine, nestce pas? You've come in here a number of times, Mr. Jones."
"I guess I have," agreed Latham, handing the malt re d' his telephone credit card.
"I just never made a reservation."
"Merci. May I order you a drink or a bottle of wine?"
"Whisky. Scotch, if you please." The manager left, the whisky arrived, and Drew settled back in the booth, a tremble developing in his hands, his face flushed..
My God, but for an experienced, observant driver he would have been killed on the Gabriel! Three attempts on his life had been made within a day and a half, the first the night before last, the second that morning at dawn, and now only minutes earlier! He was marked, and the posthumous honor of having died in the line of duty held no appeal for him whatsoever. There was no question that the Nazi cancer was spreading throughout Germany and beyond. Where else, who knew? How effective, who could estimate? Harry's list would seem to portend the worst scenario for the NATO countries, and Karin de Vries's disclosure that the Brotherhood had invaded the Agency's top-secret computers for information. about Operation Sting certainly supported the Washington penetration. Christ, he had told Villier that the regenerated Nazis were expanding everywhere, but it was hyperbole, a hook to enlist the actor's interest because he suspected Villier's background, the jodelle connection and all it represented, not the least of which were the missing interrogation files. When Villier confirmed his suspicions, he was both elated and horrified, elated that he had zeroed in on a truth, frightened because it was the truth.
And now he was a maximum target because he had found the truth. In line with his theory that dead intelligence officers served no useful purpose, he would rescind his previous instructions and seek whatever further protection the [email protected] could offer.
Th e [email protected]? Was it possible? By asking Moreau for additional personal security, was he signing his own death warrant?
Despite all his instincts, and regardless of his convictions about the man, was Harry's list that accurate? He,could not believe it-it was crazy! Or was it?
The'maitre d' returned to the table carrying the portable phone.
It was barely seven A.M. in Washington, and before the director of Consular Operations began his morning, one Drew Latham needed guidance.
"Press the button marked Parlez and dial, monsieur," said the maitre d'. "Should you require additional calls, touch Finis, then again press Parlez and dial." He handed Drew the phone and walked away. Latham touched the button marked Parlez, dialed,.
and within moments an alert voice answered.
"Yes [email protected]
"Paris calling-"
"I thought you might," Sorenson broke in.
"Has Harry arrived?
You can talk, we're on scrambler."
"He's not due until tomorrow at the earliest."
"Dammit!"
"Then you know? About the information he brought out, I mean."
"I do, but I'm surprised you do. Brother or no, Harry's not the type who's free with classified data, and I do mean classified to the maximum."
"Harry didn't tell me anything. It was Courtland
"The ambassador? I find that incredible. He's a good man, but he's not in this loop."
"He had to be included. Bonn's ambassador broke the seals, pretty angrily as I understand it, over four possibles in his own government."
"What the hell is going on?" shouted Sorenson.
"This