'It has just been reported,' the announcer said, 'that General Marov has called for a summit conference of the great powers to be held in Vienna. The President of the United States has agreed to attend, as have the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of Germany, and the President of France. It is understood that the ailing President of Russia has handed over plenipotentiary powers to General Marov to negotiate. That is the end of the announcement.'
Tweed switched off the radio. He smiled without humour.
'In short, that means first that Marov has established Russia again as a major force in the world. Second that Marov is the man who controls the new, sealed-off Russia. We may be busy in future.'
'What happened to Archie?' Tweed asked Marler just after they had re-entered Poole Harbour and were close to disembarking.
'Oh, Archie,' Marler drawled. 'When he'd seen the end of The Motorman he just vanished, the way he always does. He'll be in touch with me sooner or later.'
'And Keith Kent will be sending me a big bill,' Tweed ruminated.
'Kent did call me at the Elite,' Newman remarked. 'I told him there wasn't anything else he could do. He promised to send you his account. Feel that bump? We've landed…'
They waited by their transport until Philip returned after dealing with the formalities of handing back the power cruiser. Paula took him to one side as the others climbed into their vehicles.
'Philip, you're not going back to that empty house on your own, are you?'
'Why not?' He gave her a warm smile. 'That's my home.'