‘How did you know I was a vegetarian?’
‘It’s in your file at UNACO,’ Kolchinsky said, helping himself to a couple.
‘You’ve got a file on me at UNACO ?’ Paluzzi exclaimed, looking from Kolchinsky to Sabrina.
Graham put a hand on Paluzzi’s shoulder as he reached over for a sandwich.
‘Thing is, Fabio, you just can’t be too careful when it comes to differentiating between friend and foe. One day friend, next day foe.’
‘Like Calvieri?’ Paluzzi said.
‘No, he’ll always be foe,’ Graham replied.
Sabrina took a cup of coffee to Kuhlmann who was seated by the window.
‘Did you come across anything in the helicopter?’
‘Nothing. I’ve got a team of forensic scientists going over it now but I can’t see them coming up with much.’
‘There wasn’t a single fingerprint on it,’ Paluzzi said, looking across at Sabrina. ‘Not one.’
‘What about Ubrino and Francia?’ Graham asked. ‘Surely the locals must have seen them?’
‘Someone gave two men fitting their descriptions a lift to the railway station,’ Kuhlmann said. ‘They seem to have disappeared into thin air after that.’
‘They must have bought tickets. Surely somebody must remember them?’
‘The staff at the station were questioned thoroughly, Mr. Graham. None could recall them.’
‘What if they never boarded the train but slipped back into town?’
‘We thought of that, Miss Carver,’ Kuhlmann said. ‘All accommodation centres have been checked. Nothing. I’ve also instigated the surveillance of all known terrorist sympathizers in Switzerland. If Ubrino or Francia are staying with any of them, we’ll know about it.’
‘There isn’t much else we can do, except wait,’ Paluzzi said, sitting down next to Graham.
‘Have you spoken to the Colonel, Sergei?’ Graham asked.
Kolchinsky nodded.
‘He’s flying out to Switzerland tonight. I’m picking him up at the airport tomorrow morning.’
‘What did he say about Wiseman?’
‘He’s gone to ground. His present whereabouts are unknown.’
‘And Alexander?’ Sabrina asked.
‘He was spotted at a tube station in London this morning. Scotland Yard are confident of picking him up within the next couple of days.’
‘The ambulances have arrived,’ Paluzzi said, peering down into the street.
‘What ambulances?’ Sabrina asked, craning her neck to look over Paluzzi’s shoulder.
‘To take away the bodies of Young and Escoletti,’ Paluzzi replied, then stood aside to give her a better view of what was happening in the street below them.
‘Escoletti?’ Graham said, crossing to the window.
‘Giancarlo Escoletti, the Red Brigades’ most senior hitman,’ Paluzzi told him. ‘Just the sort of person to be sent after Pisani’s killers.’
‘How do you know it was Escoletti?’ Sabrina asked. ‘Have you been over there?’
Paluzzi shook his head.
‘I knew who it was when Sergei mentioned the black doctor’s bag found beside the body. It was Escoletti’s trademark.’
‘C.W. won’t be implicated, will he?’ Graham asked, turning to Kolchinsky.
‘I cleared that with the Commissioner as soon as he arrived,’ Kolchinsky replied, indicating Kuhlmann. ‘It’ll be an open and shut case. Escoletti surprised Young, a fight ensued, and they killed each other. At least that’s the story that will appear in the morning papers.’
Graham put his empty cup on the tray.
‘Talking about the morning, hadn’t we better get on with the briefing?’
‘Quite right, Michael. Commissioner Kuhlmann and I will meet the Colonel’s plane at seven-thirty then the three of us all go directly to the Offenbach Centre for a meeting with representatives of those countries taking part in the summit.’
‘Have they already been briefed about the vial?’ Sabrina asked.
Kolchinsky nodded.
‘The Colonel told the sixteen Ambassadors at the United Nations as soon as we knew that Ubrino’s final destination was the Offenbach Centre. They’ve been kept up to date on all the latest developments.’
‘What about us?’ Graham asked. ‘What will we be doing?’
‘You three, plus Calvieri, will be in a car parked a few hundred yards away from the Offenbach Centre. You’ll be in constant radio contact with me.’
‘What use will we be there?’ Graham exclaimed in disbelief. ‘We know what Ubrino looks like. We should be working with the security guards, not sitting in some damn car.’
Kolchinsky studied the remaining sandwiches on the plate then selected one and turned back to Graham.
‘Ubrino also knows what you look like. All of you. And if he sees any of you at the Offenbach Centre he’s likely to smell a rat and take off. Then what? We wouldn’t know where to start looking for him. At least this way we can pin him down to one place. And as I told you earlier, an extra hundred policemen and women have been drafted in to help look for him.’
‘Chances are he’ll wear a disguise,’ Paluzzi said, looking at Kuhlmann. ‘And if he does, I guarantee that none of your people will recognize him. He’s a master of deception.’
‘I’ve heard about these disguises,’ Kuhlmann replied. ‘That’s why everyone entering the building will be subjected to a body search. We also have X-ray machines at all entrances to check bags and briefcases. He may be able to disguise himself, but he won’t be able to disguise the vial. He won’t get into the building undetected, of that I’m certain.’
‘I wish I could share your confidence,’ Paluzzi said, then turned to Kolchinsky. ‘Do you need me for anything else? I’ve some calls to make before I go to bed.’
‘No, I don’t think so,’ Kolchinsky replied.
‘What time do you want us in position, Sergei?’ Sabrina asked.
‘I’ll be there from eight o’clock. Any time after that.’ Kolchinsky took a map of Berne from under a dossier on the bedside table and handed it to her. ‘I’ve marked the street with a cross where I want the four of you to wait. It’s close to the highway.’
‘What about radios?’ Graham asked.
‘Fabio’s got one. It’s all you’ll need.’ Kolchinsky shot Graham a hard look. ‘As long as everyone obeys orders and stays together.’
‘Yeah, sure,’ Graham muttered, then stood up and stifled a yawn. ‘It’s been a long day and I, for one, am shattered.’
‘You’re not the only one,’ Sabrina agreed, getting to her feet.
‘Not so fast, young lady,’ Kolchinsky said.
‘You’ve still got to brief Calvieri before you go to bed.’
‘You’re all heart, Sergei,’ she replied with a grimace.
Kolchinsky saw Kuhlmann and Paluzzi to the door then turned back to Graham and Sabrina.
‘Strange how the human mind works. There we all were, tiptoeing about as if this wasn’t really a crisis. But behind the facade of professional detachment we were all asking ourselves the same questions. What if Ubrino slips the net and opens the vial? How many millions will die before an antidote is found? And we’d be among the first to be contaminated. Yet none of us has voiced our anxieties, myself included. Strange, isn’t it?’
‘That’s what I like about you, Sergei,’ Graham said, patting Kolchinsky on the back. ‘Your unfailing optimism.’
Kolchinsky smiled fleetingly, then exhaled deeply.
‘It’s going to be a long night. I know I’m not going to get any sleep.’
Sabrina glanced at Graham and noticed the uncertainty in his eyes. A mirror image of her own? Kolchinsky was right. None of them wanted to address the issue head on. Not even Graham. The most vociferous amongst them.
‘None of us will, Sergei, you can be sure of that,’ Graham said then disappeared out into the corridor.