“He’ll do this for me? Betray his country?”
“It is inevitable, señor,” Yassasin said, slightly bowing. “Jimmy Powers has been on his tail for the past several days, reporting his movements to me. He should be arriving in Marbella later today.”
“If this guy is as good as you say, he’ll spot the tail,” Espada said.
“No one spots Jimmy Powers,” Yassasin said. “You know that.”
Espada shrugged, unconvinced. “What else?”
“The Union has put together a force of new recruits—a thousand men from North Africa. They will unite with your men at La Linea as of tomorrow morning. We’re counting on you to recruit at least one thousand men tomorrow at the rally. If that happens, combined with the number you already have, you will be four thousand men strong.”
“That’s incredible!”
“Now. The meeting. The British Prime Minister is coming, as well as several United Nations delegates. Of course you are allowed to bring as many people with you to Gibraltar as you wish, but only three bodyguards or assistants may accompany you into the banqueting hall of the Convent, where the talks will take place. One of those will be Mr. Bond, who will use an alias, of course.”
“Agustin will be my lieutenant,” Espada said. “Margareta will also accompany us.” He turned to Agustin. “Make the necessary arrangements when we get back to the ranch.”
Agustin nodded in compliance.
“That’s what we thought you would say. Mr. Powers and myself—we have secured false documentation as U.S. State Department officials. I am a Moroccan citizen working in America. We will be there to make sure everything goes smoothly. In essence, Jimmy Powers will be there to protect you if things get out of hand.”
“What about weapons?”
“Powers will be going to Gibraltar tomorrow to make those arrangements. Everything will be in place before Monday.”
Espada was impressed. “It sounds as if you have everything under control. I feel so helpless. It’s a disconcerting feeling, but I suppose I must commend you.”
Yassasin produced a rare smile and lifted his glass. “Well then. Here’s to our continued success. I have no doubt that when you take over as the new Governor of Gibraltar, the government of Spain will have no choice but to acknowledge your power as a political leader.”
“Detective Inspector Howard is here, ma’am,” Moneypenny said into the intercom. The green light above the door illuminated. “You can go on through, inspector,” she told him.
Detective Inspector Howard found M with Bill Tanner. She was sitting behind her desk, and he stood alongside her like a sentinel.
“Sit down, Inspector,” M said. “Can we get anything for you?”
“No, thank you, ma’am,” Howard said. “I’m sorry to disturb you on a Saturday.”
“That’s all right, we were here anyway.”
“Yes. Well, I’m afraid I have some rather serious news.”
“I gathered that from your telephone call. What do you have to tell us?”
“It’s your man, Bond. He killed Dr. Feare. The forensic evidence is irrefutable. We found his blood at the scene, buttons from his shirt, hair.… I’m afraid we have to find him, and find him quickly. He’s going to be charged.”
“What if I don’t believe you, Inspector?” M asked.
“Ma’am?”
“I cannot believe that Double-O Seven would do something like that unless he had a damned good reason. It’s not his style.”
“Ma’am,” Howard said. “We’ve obtained information that he was seeing Dr. Feare as a patient. He had an evaluation and tests performed two months ago. For psychiatric evaluation and other complaints. You were aware of that?”
“Of course I was,” M answered.
“We’d like to know the results of those tests. I was hoping you might have copies.”
“We have a summary report that the doctor sent to me after seeing Double-O Seven,” M said flatly. “I can let you have a copy of that. But let me ask you this, Inspector. Do you really think Double-O Seven would commit this crime and flee?”
“All of the evidence leads us to believe that Mr. Bond is very unstable,” Howard said. “Look what he did on that ferry, for God’s sake!”
“There is no proof that the man responsible for that horrible act was Double-O Seven!” M said sternly. “That is still under investigation.”
“Well.” Howard sighed, realizing he was fighting a losing battle. “I’m here to deliver this arrest warrant for James Bond. He’s officially wanted by the police for murder.”
Tanner took the documents.
“Thank you, Inspector,” M said. “If we find Double-O Seven, we’ll make sure he gets them.”
“We’ll let you know as soon as we hear anything,” Tanner said.
Howard nodded, stood and walked toward the door. He turned and faced M again. “Ma’am.”
“Yes, Inspector?”
“You wouldn’t be protecting Double-O Seven, would you? For some … reason?”
“He’s a Double-O, Inspector,” M answered. “He doesn’t need me to protect him.”
The Inspector smiled grimly and walked out.
M and Tanner exchanged glances.
“Bill, could it possibly be true?” she asked him.
“No, ma’am,” Tanner said, shaking his head. “It’s not James. It can’t be.”
M gripped the pen in her hand and stared straight ahead. “He sounded quite lucid when we spoke, I’ll give him that. God, I hope I’ve made the right decision. I could lose my job over this.”
“We have to let James work it out,” Tanner assured her. “He always does. When he’s on to something, he’s usually right.”
M repeated her Chief-of-Staff’s words in her head a few times, then said, “Right. Let’s move on. Double-O Seven and the CIA agent will arrive in Spain at what time?”
“Certainly by this evening,” Tanner said. “They’re traveling to Marbella by boat.”
Moneypenny buzzed again.
“What is it?” M asked, punching the button.
“It’s Captain Hodge. He’s here and says it’s urgent.”
M winced. “Send him in,” she said, simultaneously pressing the button that lit the green bulb outside her office.
Hodge came in stiffly and approached the desk.
“Yes, Captain?”
“Ma’am, we’ve just received the guest list for the summit meeting in Gibraltar. As you know, everyone entering the Governor’s Residence is screened in advance. This information is made available to all of the countries involved.”
“Yes?”
“Domingo Espada’s entourage will consist of two assistants and a bodyguard. They’re all Spanish except for the bodyguard. According to the documents, he is a British exile now residing in Spain. His name is Peter Woodward. Have a look at his photograph.”
He handed her a file with a black-and-white head shot attached to it. She inhaled deeply when she saw who it was.
“It’s Double-O Seven,” she said.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Tanner leaned in closer to get a better look. He furrowed his brow. “It certainly looks like him,” he concurred.
“We’re going to have to arrest him as soon as he shows his face in Gibraltar,” Hodge said.
“You can’t,” Tanner said.
“Why not?”
M answered for him. “Because he’ll have diplomatic immunity. With Spain.”
Hodge was horrified. “My God, I hadn’t thought of that. What are we going to do?”
M said, “Captain, would you allow me to confer with my Chief-of-Staff privately? For a few minutes?”
“Of course, ma’am,” Hodge said, standing. “I’ll be outside.”
After he had left, M looked at Tanner and said, “This changes things, doesn’t it?”
Tanner looked unsure.
M asked, “What about Double-O One?”