‘What about Karza? Do you know any more?’
She put her hands into her lap. ‘Well, we’ve made contact with the group he’s with. He is alive, that’s been confirmed.’
He felt a huge rush of relief. ‘So he’s safe?’
‘Well, no one is safe in Syria right now.’
‘Of course — stupid.’
She laughed. ‘I can see you’re new to all this.’
‘So you might be able to get him back?’
‘It’s not as simple as that. We’ve yet to make direct contact. MI6 monitor all emails and Twitter feeds now so the fighters have gone quiet. I should know more in a few days.’
Sam felt a twinge of irritation. ‘So you asked me to come up here just to tell me you might know more?’
She focused on the cut on his cheek. ‘You’re bleeding again. I’ll sort that out.’
In the bathroom she dabbed the wound with a piece of lint. Her bag seemed to contain a substantial medical kit.
‘You came well prepared.’
‘Well, I am a doctor, and I do work for a medical charity.’
She produced a small plaster, unwrapped it and applied it to his cheek. ‘I hope that’s better.’ She bit her lip and dropped her eyes, but her fingers lingered on his face. ‘There’s a favour I wanted to ask.’
‘Name it. After all you’re doing for me it’s the least I can do.’
‘It’s a big favour.’
‘Well, go on.’
‘You saw we’re closing down here. I have to come to London, but I don’t really know anyone there and I was wondering if you had a spare room where you could put me up.’ She gave a small laugh.
‘Well, I’m staying at a friend’s myself.’
She gazed at him. Her whole persona, so cool and reserved when he had first encountered her, had softened. Her eyes were wider, her lips slightly parted. Then she looked away. ‘I’m sorry, it was inappropriate…’
‘No!’ He felt a surge of pleasure at her attention. Helen suddenly seemed like a world away. ‘I’d be happy to help.’
33
From the edge of St James’s Park, Tom had a clear view of Invicta’s headquarters, and the Bentley parked outside. He hadn’t got back to Rolt yet. He wanted more time and he needed some answers, some that the boss of Invicta couldn’t give.
Once Rolt had left the office with Jackman, Tom approached the door. The police waved him away.
‘Closed for the day, sorry.’
‘I left my glasses here yesterday — just wanted to pick them up.’
‘Okay, ask at the desk.’
Inside, the receptionist made a call to Phoebe. ‘She’ll be down in a minute.’
Tom settled himself in one of the big leather armchairs and picked up the Evening Standard. Rolt had made the front page.
Invicta Founder: ‘Send Them Back.’
Before he could read on Phoebe appeared at the top of the stairs, wearing a big smile.
‘So how was your visit to the campus?’ She took her time descending, her skirt swaying compellingly as she moved. Her hair looked as if she’d given it a quick brush before she left her post.
‘Nice of you to ask. A learning experience. Your boss has quite a thing going on up there.’
She reached the bottom of the stairs. Tom noticed his gaze was starting to make her feel self-conscious. She gave a small, very attractive laugh. ‘Is there something I can help with?’
Tom pretended to look blank. ‘Oh, yes — I thought I’d left some glasses here but then I remembered I don’t wear any.’
She gave him a mock-scolding look and laughed again, her eyes shining seductively. If he hadn’t been so preoccupied he would have had to admit he was powerfully attracted.
‘I’m staying at my father’s club. I wondered if you’d like to join me for a drink.’
She put on an apologetic face. ‘I’ve got something on.’
‘Vernon’s offered me an assignment. To be honest, I’m in two minds. Thought you might give me the lowdown on working for him.’ The work angle should swing it, he calculated, and as she hesitated, he gave her one of his trademark looks, designed to melt the most obstinate woman at fifty paces.
She lifted a stray strand of hair and tucked it behind her ear. ‘I’ll make a call.’
Job done. He watched her go back up, taking in all her movements. A few seconds later she reappeared at the top of the stairs, tapping something into her phone. She dropped it into her bag as she came down.
‘Who did you have to put off?’
‘Oh, a girlfriend. It’s not a problem.’
‘Not a boyfriend, then.’
She frowned slightly. ‘As it happens, no.’
‘Sorry, just being nosy, forgive me.’
‘I’ll let it go this time.’
Formality was slipping away. He needed her nice and relaxed to maximize the element of surprise.
He turned into the street and gently took her elbow as he steered her through the traffic. ‘Your boss is a very persuasive man.’
She nodded eagerly. ‘I’ll say. He really motivates people.’
‘You enjoy the job?’
‘Oh, yes, very much but it pretty much takes over my life.’
‘Judging by the headlines, you’ll be having to work even harder now.’
‘It looks like it.’
The doorman greeted them as they entered the club and climbed the stairs to the foyer. Tom hoped his father wasn’t around: the last thing he needed was parental disapproval of his chatting up another woman behind Delphine’s back. He guided her to what had been called the smoking room, then to a table in the darkest corner. ‘They do a particularly mean mojito here.’
‘I’ll have a lime soda…’ She sighed. ‘Oh, all right.’ She grinned guiltily. She was good, thought Tom, but not too good.
He summoned a waiter, who took their order, then leaned forward and gave her all his attention. ‘You must forgive me for seeming so forward but I’ve been away in the most godforsaken place, surrounded by hairy, perspiring males with varying standards of hygiene, on a military base totally devoid of any beauty.’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘So you’ve got me here under false pretences. I thought this was strictly business.’
‘I’ve always had difficulty finding the line between where business ends and pleasure begins.’
Tiny movements around her eyes suggested to Tom that she was torn between attraction and wariness. Fair enough, he thought. She has no idea what’s coming.
‘But I really do want to talk about the amazing Mr Rolt. He’s shown his hand with that interview. I expect your life’s about to get a lot more complicated, as a result.’
The waiter arrived with the drinks. Phoebe took a tiny sip and sat back in her chair. ‘It’s been relentless today. He’s going to get a lot of flak but he’s very resilient.’
‘Are you a big fan of his views?’
She seemed taken aback by the question.
‘It doesn’t take much to see what he’s saying adds up to a pretty extreme position.’
‘He’s never said he has any personal political ambitions.’
She hadn’t answered the question but he let it go for now. He picked up his glass. ‘What shall we drink to?’
She grinned at him, waiting for him to choose.
‘To Invicta? And all who sail in her!’
‘To Invicta.’
They each took a sip.
‘That’s better.’ He resumed his probing. ‘Rolt does seem to have taken control of the political agenda. The government must be reeling. He’s just come out and said what half of them think but are too scared to admit in public for fear of being labelled racist. How long have you worked for him?’
The question tacked on to the end of his speech seemed to take her by surprise. ‘Oh, not long. Only a few months.’