“No, please,” she said, leaning forward and taking his hand in hers. “I don’t mean to complain. It’s just that it’s all so new for me and it takes some getting used to. I’m just beginning to realize what a sheltered life I have always led. I’m not ready yet to thank you for taking me out of it — I still get a chill down my back when I think of those Tupamaros…. “
“I’ll kill them myself. With my bare hands.”
The cold, the calmness of Hank’s voice, was even worse than anger would have been. He meant it, she knew that. She shivered and held his hand even tighter.
“Please, darling, that’s not what I mean. There’s enough going on without your getting into more trouble because of me. As I said, I’m not thankful yet that I have been forced to grow up so quickly and face reality. The sudden onslaught of maturity can be a painful thing. But I can handle it — as long as you are there. I have a feeling that I may enjoy life a bit more. Afternoon tea at Fortnum’s will do a lot to take the taste of those people out of my mouth.”
“Are you finished, madam?” the waiter asked, appearing at her elbow. Hank had enthusiastically consumed his portion of Mexican avocado vinaigrette stuffed with fresh cooked prawns, but she had only pushed hers around on the plate.
“Yes, thank you. I’m not too hungry today. In fact you had better cancel the next course and bring me a green salad instead.”
“You’ll starve yourself, it’s not right,” Hank said as the waiter took the dishes away.
“Little chance of that, my love, after the way we have been eating on this voyage.” She patted her rounded flank. “I’m afraid to guess how many pounds I have put on.”
“And I love every avoirdupois ounce of it!”
“Only from a distance, pet, until Roger the lodger and his companions vacate our suite. Must we let those villains stay with us?”
“I’m afraid they have to. But it should not be for long. We can stay in the bedroom and lock the connecting door and let them make do with the couch and carpet or whatever. I’m not too concerned about their comfort.”
“Just mention them and they appear. Isn’t that my girl friend oozing slimily between the tables?”
Concepcion Valverde had entered the Queen’s Grill and had seen them, was coming towards them. Stopping as she passed to smile and nod as though to say hello. Her message was more important.
“You’re wanted in the cabin. Come now.” The coldness of her words was in direct contrast to the warmth of her expression. Frances smiled in return and gave as well as she received.
“Leave us alone you acid bitch… you puta.”
“They are talking of a meeting in the next cabin. You are needed for the listening equipment.” She spoke to Hank, completely ignoring Frances, turning and leaving as soon as she was finished.
“What was that you called her?” Hank asked.
“Puta. It means whore. It was the worst word I could think of quickly. I must get a Spanish dictionary out of the ship’s library and bone up for our next encounter.”
“I have to go.”
“Of course. And you’ll understand if I linger over my salad and don’t hurry back?”
“Yes, I’m sorry about this. I’ll be as fast as I can in the cabin. Wait for me here, or if you finish I’ll see you in the bar.”
“Not in the Queen’s Grill Bar. Too stuffy. I’ll be in the Lido Bar watching the beach boys showing off in the pool.”
“Good. I’ll be as fast as I can.”
There’s just no way out of it now, Hank thought, as he walked slowly back to their quarters. No way. I don’t mind for myself, I knew what I was getting into. But I was kidding myself when I thought I could bring Frances on this trip and not have her get involved. It must have been the old subconscious at work; wanting to tell her but afraid to tell her. So unconsciously I set up a situation where she would have to find out what I have been doing. Or am I being too Freudian? Oh the hell with it — what’s done is done. He rapped loudly on the door of their suite, then again angrily when it wasn’t answered at once. It opened a crack and a suspicious dark eye looked at him before it was swung wide.
Josep was sitting next to the tape recorder with earphones on, listening. Uzi and the girl were watching him, as was Leandro Diaz. The other four Tupamaros were sprawled in the chairs or sitting against the wall. The room was crowded, the air thick with strong tobacco. Uzi looked up as Hank came in, then waved him over.
“They all seem to be meeting in there,” he said. “This tape is almost finished. Get another, quickly.”
“Just as soon as you get some of these people out of here. Those four, they’re not needed. Nor is the girl. Out.”
Josep lifted one earphone and nodded solemn agreement, taking no notice of the anger in Hank’s voice. He spoke quickly and curtly and the Tupamaros got up and filed into the next room. Discipline. As soon as the bedroom door had closed behind them Hank went to the dresser and found the fresh tape under the clothing in the bottom drawer.
“Shall I change it now? Before things warm up in there?”
“Yes, good idea,” Uzi said. “Stroessner and two of his aides are in this suite next to you. Admiral Marquez and his people are across the passageway. All of the conversation has been in Spanish so far. Mostly complaints about the flight down here. A big tropical storm brewing and they had to drop down through it to land. Stroessner was airsick and is feeling very sorry for himself. He is now drinking neat gin to cure the condition.”
“That’s a remedy I never heard of before.”
“He is washing it down with Bavarian beer. A Teutonic boilermaker. The phone rang once and he spoke in German when answering it. He was almost polite when he talked, referring to the other party always as Herr Doktor.”
“Could it be Wielgus!?”
“My fingers are crossed — and yours should be as well. We’ve had people watching the boarding in every port, but he could easily have slipped through. Our only photo of him is thirty years old. But if Doctor Joachim Wielgus is aboard, why then we are getting close, very close indeed…. “
“Silence,” Josep said. “He is making another phone call, this one in English. Talking to the weapons people. Telling them to bring the diamond expert at once. Now.”
“This is it!” Hank said. “We have them.”
Even the stolid Josep permitted a small smile to touch his lips as he nodded agreement.
The meeting was taking place.
16
“Another beer, Jose, instantly, another beer for the love of God!” Stroessner patted his rounded stomach and groaned, then belched deeply. Major de Laiglesia snapped his fingers in the direction of Sergeant Pradera who was standing stolidly near the bar.
“At your orders, General,” the Major said, keeping the chain of command intact.
Pradera opened a bottle, took a chilled mug from the freezer and carefully poured it full, then brought it over on a tray to Stroessner. The General clutched at it, drained half of the contents, then groaned.
“First airsick, then next it will be seasick, I know.”
Major de Laiglesia did his best to reassure his suffering commander. “The storm will undoubtedly end soon. And this ship, so big with tremendous stabilizers, you’ll feel nothing…. “
“Shut up. Pour the gin.”
There was a sudden sharp knocking on the door. Sergeant Pradera stepped to one side where he had a clear view of the door, at the same time drawing his U.S. Army issue.45 calibre automatic. An old and treasured weapon with which he had twice won the Paraguayan National Championship.
“Who is it?” de Laiglesia called out, his hand on the doorknob.