‘Where is Kuhlmann?’ Whitlock asked.
‘Interrogating Cellina,’ Philpott replied. ‘You’re going to have to postpone the search for the vial. At least for the time being. We have to find that bomb.’
‘If there is a bomb,’ Graham said.
‘I’m not taking any chances, Mike.’ Philpott shook his head in desperation. ‘If there is a bomb, and it goes off, and it comes out later that we received a warning beforehand there’s going to be hell to pay. Heads will roll. Starting with mine.’
‘You’re going to have to try to reason with Calvieri,’ Paluzzi said to Philpott.
‘I intend to. I’m sure he won’t let us evacuate the building but he might be able to find out if there is a bomb. And if so, where it’s hidden.’
‘Leaving us to defuse it?’
‘Of course I’d rather bring in the bomb squad, Mike, but their first priority would be to evacuate the building. And that would give Calvieri itchy fingers.’ Philpott gestured to Kolchinsky. ‘Sergei’s worked out the areas for each team to cover. I want you to get on to it right away.’
‘We’re just clutching at straws, sir,’ Graham said. ‘What chance have we got of finding it?’
‘Have you got a better plan, Michael?’ Kolchinsky snapped angrily, opening the door leading into the outer office. ‘Let’s go. The Colonel will bleep us if he gets any positive feedback from Calvieri.’
Philpott waited until they had left then dialled the extension number Calvieri had given him.
Calvieri was watching an interview with the French Prime Minister when the telephone rang. He crossed to the side table and answered it.
Philpott told him about the bomb threat.
‘The Greek ELA?’ Calvieri said.
‘That’s who the caller claimed to be representing,’ Philpott replied. ‘We have to evacuate the building. If the bomb–’
‘No,’ Calvieri cut in angrily. ‘I’ve told you already, I’ll push the button if any attempt is made to evacuate the building.’
Philpott exhaled deeply, struggling to control his temper.
‘I’m not going to argue with you, Calvieri. There isn’t time. If you’re not prepared to have the building evacuated then at least find out whether there is a bomb or whether it’s just a hoax. You’ve got the contacts. I don’t need to remind you that it’s just as much in your interest as it is in ours to get it defused in time.’
‘I’ll look into it.’
‘It’s already two twenty-five–’
‘I said I’ll look into it!’ Calvieri replaced the receiver, then spun round and punched the wall furiously.
‘What is it?’ Ubrino asked anxiously.
‘Get Bettinga on the line,’ Calvieri said softly.
‘Why, what–’
‘Just do it!’ Calvieri yelled.
Ubrino nodded hesitantly, then picked up the receiver and dialled a number in Rome to find out where he could contact Bettinga.
Calvieri looked down at his hand. The skin around the knuckles was torn and the blood trickled down between his fingers. He noticed Sabrina watching him carefully. He sat down opposite her.
‘You think I’ve finally snapped, don’t you?’
‘No, but I think you’re pretty pissed off about some thing,’ she replied, holding his stare.
‘You could say that.’ Calvieri winced when he tried to flex his fingers. ‘This is going to hurt like hell in the morning.’
‘I assume from what you said on the phone that there’s been a bomb scare.’
‘You’re very perceptive,’ Calvieri replied, then looked across at Ubrino. ‘Well?’
‘They are trying to find out where Signore Bettinga is at the moment,’ Ubrino said, his hand over the mouthpiece.
‘Who are you talking to?’
‘Larusso, one of the cell commanders in Rome.’
‘I know who he is! Ask him if he’s got the number of the ELA headquarters in Athens. That’s all I want to know.’ Calvieri turned back to Sabrina. ‘Yes, there’s been a bomb threat. Are you familiar with the ELA?’
She shook her head.
‘It stands for Espanastatikos Laikos Agonas which, roughly translated, means the People’s Revolutionary Struggle. Radical fundamentalists, nothing more.’ Calvieri took the transmitter from his pocket and turned it around in his hand.
‘I’ve spent months planning, and perfecting, this operation. And now the ELA are threatening to ruin it all. If the bomb were to go off the whole complex would be evacuated. The perfect opportunity for a search.’
‘It sounds like a case of the biter bit. If, of course, there is a bomb.’
‘There’s a bomb, I’m sure of that. You’ll find–’
‘I’ve got the number,’ Ubrino called out.
‘Call it and ask for Andreas Kozanakis head of the ELA.’ Calvieri turned back to Sabrina. ‘As I was saying, you’ll find that anonymous bomb threats are invariably hoaxes. But if an organization gives its name, that means they’re after publicity. And who’s going to take them seriously if they’re not prepared to back up those threats?’
‘The voice of the expert,’ Sabrina said with disdain.
Calvieri stood up, pocketed the transmitter, and crossed to where Ubrino was standing.
‘Any luck?’
‘It’s ringing,’ Ubrino replied.
The receiver was lifted at the other end of the line.
‘Tony,’ Ubrino said, extending the receiver towards Calvieri.
‘Hello, who’s speaking?’ Calvieri asked in Greek.
‘Andreas Kozanakis. Who is that?’
‘Tony Calvieri, Red Brigades.’
‘It’s an honour–’
‘Shove your honour,’ Calvieri said tersely. ‘I want to know if the ELA have planted an explosive device at the Offenbach Centre due to go off at three o’clock. Yes or no.’
There was silence.
‘Answer me!’ Calvieri snapped.
‘I am not at liberty to discuss that with you,’ Kozanakis replied.
‘How’s Alexis?’ Calvieri asked, his voice calm.
‘What?’ Kozanakis replied, the question catching him off guard.
‘Alexis, your daughter. How old is she now? Seventeen? Eighteen? It’s her first year at Rome University, isn’t it? I believe Lino Zocchi promised to keep an eye on her for you. Pity he’s in jail. I’d hate something to happen to her. She’s got her whole life ahead of her.’
‘Leave Alexis out of this,’ Kozanakis said, a note of anxiety creeping into his voice.
‘Then tell me about the explosive device.’
Kozanakis exhaled deeply. There was a pause.
‘Semtex. Twenty pounds.’
‘Nasty,’ Calvieri said. ‘Where is it?’
‘I don’t know. One of my aides installed it.’
Calvieri looked at his watch. ‘You’ve got exactly twelve minutes to find out where the Semtex has been hidden. If I haven’t heard from you by two forty-five then I’ll call Rome and have a couple of my Brigatisti visit Alexis at her residence. I’m sure she’ll amuse them.’
‘No!’ Kozanakis screamed down the line.
‘I know you won’t let it come to that, Andreas.’ Calvieri gave him the number, and extension, where he could be reached. ‘Twelve minutes. Don’t let Alexis down.’
‘How much lower can you sink?’ Sabrina hissed when Calvieri had replaced the receiver.
‘I never realized you spoke Greek as well,’ Calvieri said. ‘You continue to impress me.’
‘It’s not mutual,’ she retorted. ‘A seventeen-year-old girl. You disgust me.’
‘And how would UNACO have handled the situation?’ Calvieri asked, sitting astride the chair at the head of the table, his arms resting on its back.