frantic."
"You're simply pointing up the fact that we were together! "
"For quite a different reason that has nothing to do with your work, which I know nothing about because I haven't known you that long."
"What reason?"
"We met the other day, were attracted to each other, and obviously are heading toward an affair."
"That's the nicest thing you've said."
"Don't take it literally, Monsieur Latham, it's emphatically a cover. The point is that since we can assume the embassy's been penetrated, the word will circulate rapidly."
"Do you think Paris's branch of the ncos will buy it?"
"They have no choice on two levels. If it's a lie, they'll watch me, assuming you'll reach me and they can track you down; if it's the truth, well, I'm really not worth their time. In either case, I'm in a position to help you where I am."
"For Freddie's sake, I understand," said Drew, smiling gently as the driver entered the Marais, "but I still think you're taking a hell of a risk, lady."
"May I.say something about your language, please?"
"Be my guest."
"Your erratic but inveterate use of the word lady has a distinctly condescending connotation."
"It's not meant that way."
"Probably not. Even so, it's an unconscious cultural contradiction. "
"I beg your pardon?"
"By employing the word lady, you're actually using it in the pejorative sense, as in girl, or, worse, broad."
"I apologize." Latham smiled, again gently.
"I've used that term more times than I can remember with my mother, and I assure you it was never-what did you call it?-pejorative."
"A mother can accept it as an en famille endearment. I'm not your mother."
"Hell, no. She's a lot prettier and doesn't caterwaul so much."
"Caterwaul .. . ?" De Vries studied the American's face, seeing the humor in his eyes. She laughed and touched his arm.
"You have the point you conceded to me at the table back in the brasserie. Sometimes I take things too seriously."
"No sweat. I can see why you and Harry got along. You analyze, then reevaluate, then analyze again. It all gets to be a bunch of circles, doesn't it?"
"No, it doesn't, because somewhere among those circles there's a tangent that breaks off and leads to something else. Invariably the truth."
"Would you believe I understand that?"
"Of course you do. Your brother was right years ago, you're much better than you think you are.. .. But then, you don't need me to say these things."
"No, I don't. Right now I want to know where we're going, where I'm going."
"To what you Americans call a sterile house, an intermediate place where your credentials are confirmed before you're sent on to sanctuary."
"The people you were calling at the restaurant, the brasserie?"
"Yes, but in your case you'll be sent immediately. I'll be your confirmation."
"Who are these people?"
"It's enough to say that they're on our side, yours and mine."
"It's not enough for me, lady-sorry, Mrs. de Vries."
"Then you can stop the taxi' get out, be on your own, and be hunted like an animal until they have you in their gun sights."
"Not necessarily. I may not be Harry, but I've got certain skills that have served me through a scrape or two. Shall I tell the driver to pull over, or will you tell me exactly where we're going and who we're going to see?"
"You need protection right now and you admit you don't know whom you can trust-"
"And you're saying I should trust people I don't know?"
interrupted Latham.
"You're certifiable." He leaned forward, speaking to the driver.
"Monsieur, s'il vous plait, arritez le taxi-"
"Non!" Karin intruded firmly.
"It's not necessary," she continued in French to the driver, who shrugged and took his foot off the brake.
"All right," she went on, looking at Drew, "what do you want to do, where do you want to go? Or would you rather I get out so I have no idea? You can always reach me at the embassy-I'd suggest a pay phone, but I don't have to tell you that. You can't have much money on you, and you shouldn't go to your bank any more than to the office, your flat, or the Meurice, they'll all be covered. I'll give you what I have and we can make further arrangements later.. .. For God's sake, decide. I have to start my own strategy soon-in minutes for it to be credible!"
"You mean it, don't you? You'd give me money, get out, and let me fade, not knowing where I am."
"Naturally I mean it. It's not preferable, and I think you're a damn fool, but you're stubborn and there's nothing