Their faces registered surprise and respect.
‘I’ve made notes for all of you to work on.’
James handed two typewritten sheets to each member of the Team.
‘You add these to your dossiers as pages 74 and 75 and they should keep you occupied for at least a month. Finally, you’re all invited to the wedding of Miss Anne Summerton to James Brigsley. I shan’t bother issuing you with formal invitations at such short notice, but I’ve reserved seats for us on a 747 on the afternoon of August 2nd and we’re all booked in at the Ritz in Boston for the night. I hope you’ll honor me by being ushers.’
Even James was impressed by his own efficiency. The others received the plane tickets and instructions with astonishment.
‘We’ll meet at the airport at 3 pm and during the flight I shall test you on your dossier notes.’
‘Yes, sir,’ said Jean-Pierre.
‘Your test, Jean-Pierre, will be in both French and English, as you’ll be required to converse in two languages over a transatlantic telephone, and appear expert on foreign currency exchange.’
There were no more jokes about James that evening, and as he traveled back up the motorway he felt a new man. Not only had he been the star of the Oxford plan; now he had the other three on the run. He would come out on top and do his old pa yet.
19
For a change James was the first to arrive at a meeting and the others joined him at Heathrow. He had gained the upper hand and was determined not to lose it. Robin arrived last, clutching an armful of newspapers.
‘We’re only going to be away for two days,’ said Stephen.
‘I know, but I always miss the English papers, so I’ve brought enough for tomorrow as well.’
Jean-Pierre threw his arms up in Gallic despair.
They checked their luggage through the No. 3 Terminal and boarded the British Airways 747 flight to Logan International Airport.
‘It’s more like a football ground,’ said Robin, stepping for the first time inside a jumbo jet.
‘It holds 350 people. About the size of the crowds most of your English clubs deserve,’ said Jean-Pierre.
‘Cut it out,’ said James sternly, not realizing that they were both nervous passengers and were only trying to relieve the tension. Later, during takeoff, they both pretended to read, but as soon as the plane reached 3,000 feet and the little white light that says ‘fasten seat belts’ switched off, they were back in top form.
The Team chewed its way stolidly through a plastic dinner of cold chicken and Algerian red wine.
‘I do hope, James,’ said Jean-Pierre, ‘that your father-in-law will feed us a little better.’
After the meal James allowed them to watch the film, but insisted that as soon as it was over they must prepare to be tested one by one. Robin and Jean-Pierre moved back fifteen rows to watch The Sting. Stephen stayed in his seat to be grilled by James.
James handed Stephen a typewritten sheet of forty questions on the price of gold all over the world and the market movements during the past four weeks. Stephen completed it in twenty-two minutes, and it came as no surprise to James to find that every answer was correct: Stephen had always been the backbone of the Team, and it was his logical brain that had really defeated Harvey Metcalfe.
Stephen and James dozed intermittently until Robin and Jean-Pierre returned, when they were given their forty questions. Robin took thirty minutes over his and scored 38 out of 40. Jean-Pierre took twenty-seven minutes and scored 37.
‘Stephen got 40 out of 40,’ said James.
‘He would,’ said Jean-Pierre.
Robin looked a little sheepish.
‘And so will you by September 2nd. Understood?’
They both nodded.
‘Have you seen The Sting?’ asked Robin.
‘No,’ replied Stephen. ‘I rarely go to the cinema.’
‘They’re not in our league. One big operation, and they don’t even keep the money.’
‘Go to sleep, Robin.’
The meal, the film and James’s quizzes had taken up most of the six-hour flight and they all nodded off in the last hour, to be woken up suddenly by:
‘This is your captain speaking. We are approaching Logan International Airport and our flight is running twenty minutes late. We expect to land at 7.15 in approximately ten minutes. We hope you have enjoyed your flight and will travel again with British Airways.’
Customs took a little longer than usual as they all three had brought presents for the wedding and did not want James to know what they were. They had considerable trouble in explaining to the customs officer why one of the two Piaget watches had inscribed on the back: ‘Part of the illicit profits from Prospecta Oil — the three who had plans.’
When they finally escaped the customs official, they found Anne standing at the entrance by a large Cadillac waiting to chauffeur them to the hotel.
‘Now we know why it took you so long to come up with something: you were genuinely distracted. Congratulations, James, you’re entirely forgiven,’ said Jean-Pierre, and threw his arms round Anne as only a Frenchman could. Robin introduced himself and kissed her gently on the cheek. Stephen shook hands with her rather formally. They bustled into the car, Jean-Pierre sitting next to Anne.
‘Miss Summerton,’ stuttered Stephen.
‘Do call me Anne.’
‘Will the reception be at the hotel?’
‘No,’ replied Anne, ‘at my parents’ house, but there’ll be a car to pick you up and take you there after the wedding. Your only responsibility is to see that James gets to the church by 3.30. Other than that you have nothing to worry about. While I think of it, James, your father and mother arrived yesterday and they’re staying with my parents. We thought it might not be a good idea for you to spend this evening at home because Mother’s flapping about everything.’
‘Anything you say, darling.’
‘If you should change your mind between now and tomorrow,’ said Jean-Pierre, ‘I find myself available. I may not be blessed with noble blood, but there are one or two compensations we French can always offer.’
Anne smiled to herself. ‘You’re a little late, Jean-Pierre. In any case, I don’t like beards.’
‘But I only...’ began Jean-Pierre.
The others glared at him.
At the hotel they left Anne and James alone while they went to unpack.
‘Do they know, darling?’
‘They haven’t the slightest idea,’ replied James. ‘They’re going to get the surprise of their life tomorrow.’
‘Is your plan ready?’
‘Wait and see.’
‘Well, I have one,’ said Anne. ‘When’s yours scheduled for?’
‘September 13th.’
‘I win then — mine’s for tomorrow.’
‘What, you weren’t meant to...’
‘Don’t worry. You just concentrate on getting married... to me.’
‘Can’t we go somewhere?’
‘No, you terrible man. You can wait until tomorrow.’
‘I do love you.’
‘Go to bed, you silly thing. I love you too, but I must go home, otherwise nothing’ll be ready.’
James took the lift to the seventh floor and joined the others for coffee.
‘Anyone for blackjack?’
‘Not with you, you pirate,’ said Robin. ‘You’ve been tutored by the biggest crook alive.’
The Team were in top form and looking forward to the wedding. In spite of the transatlantic time dislocation they didn’t depart for their separate rooms until well after midnight. Even then, James lay awake for some time, turning over the same question in his mind:
‘I wonder what she’s up to this time?’
20
Boston in August is as beautiful a city as any in America, and the Team enjoyed a large breakfast in James’s room.