Albatross (24 page)

‘No,' Colin said, and didn't pretend to be telling the truth. ‘No connection, Jim.'

‘Glad to hear it,' the captain said. ‘Wouldn't want to be mixed up in a mess like that. If you should need any help though …'

‘I'll let you know,' Lomax nodded. ‘One for the road then I must be off.' He brought the drinks back. He seemed miles away from the crowded bar.

Fraser didn't interrupt him. He had always been a taciturn man who didn't talk unless he had something to say that mattered. Lomax emptied his glass. ‘I might be interested in a security guard keeping an eye on a friend of mine,' he said. ‘Two chaps, like the ones you had in mind before. I'll get in touch. How much notice do you need?'

‘Just a phone call,' the captain answered. ‘I'll see you get the same two. They're very good.'

‘They might need to be,' Lomax answered.

He left the pub first, leaving Fraser to down the whisky and leave later. He had parked his car some two side streets away; he drove home carefully, concentrating on speed or traffic dodging. Davina was making progress; she'd put quite a picture together in the two days of grace they'd had so far. A long-established Soviet operator, moving only when absolutely necessary and then always covered by the contingency of his two colleagues. Elusive, shadowy, all the fictional spy clichés came to mind and they were apt. But with something more. A desperate cunning that made him very dangerous. There was no face, only a blur came to mind with the name Albatross. Harrington had believed he had told the KGB where Davina and Sasanov were living. A new identity, a new name, a post in a university in Western Australia. Light years from Europe or the States, the recognized haven of defectors. The killers had trailed them and set their trap. A few moments' delay had saved Davina from dying with him. Albatross had scented them out.

Lomax put the car in the lock-up garage and went up to the flat. He opened the front door and called for Davina. She came out of the kitchen. He thought she looked tired and strained. He jerked his head towards the sitting room. ‘Is he in there?'

She nodded. ‘I've just given him a drink. I could do with one myself. Come and sit down, Colin, love, will you? Break it up for a bit. He's been getting on my nerves.'

He kissed her and she leaned against him, and sighed. ‘He keeps on harping,' she murmured, ‘on and on about Australia. I don't know whether he's doing it to get at me or because he thinks it really holds the key.'

Lomax kissed her again. The bastard, he said to himself. The snide bastard, opening up that wound.… ‘You go and have a bath or lie down for a bit, sweetheart. You look weary. I'll entertain our friend in there.'

She said quickly, ‘Colin! Never mind what I just said – don't get difficult with him, will you – please?'

‘My darling,' he whispered in her ear, ‘if I got difficult, I'd break his neck. Go off and take a break. I promise to be as sweet as pie.…'

She was running the bath when the phone rang. She picked it up and said, ‘Hold on a minute,' and went back into the bathroom to turn off the taps.

‘Davina –'

She heard Tony Walden's voice repeating her name. ‘Tony? Hello, sorry about that, I couldn't hear –'

‘Why haven't you come into the office? I've been in New York and Frieda said you hadn't been in for two days. You're not ill, are you?'

‘I'm never ill,' she laughed. ‘Just busy, that's all. Do you need me?'

There was a pause. ‘You know I need you. I'm in a call box over the road.'

‘What? What on earth are you doing there?'

‘I was coming in when I saw your major turn up. And I saw something else – hell, I'm running out of money –'

She heard the coin go in and his voice come back. ‘That's my last five pence. Listen, I've got to tell you something – can I come up and see you?'

‘No,' Davina said quickly. ‘No, better not. I'll come out. Wait in the phone box.'

No time for a bath now. There was an urgency in Walden's voice that made her hurry. She put her head round the door. The television was on and Lomax was sitting quietly reading the newspaper while Harrington watched the news. ‘I'm going out for a bit,' she said. ‘I won't be long.' She ran down the stairs and out into the street. The phone box was on the other side of the road. Walden wasn't in it. She said damn, and looked round for him. A taxi pulled up at the kerb, and he opened the door and said, ‘Davina!' She got in and the cab drove off.

‘Tony, what the devil is all this about?'

He glanced back out of the rear window. ‘That foxed them,' he said.

She could have shaken him. ‘Foxed who?' she demanded.

He leaned forward and closed the glass partition, so that the driver couldn't hear. ‘The two men who have been watching your apartment building,' he said quietly. ‘One of them followed your major friend, I saw him. The other joined up with him. That's why I telephoned you, to warn you.'

She couldn't help herself. She went pale. ‘Oh, my God. Are you sure?'

‘The man following your friend got into a stationary blue car parked a few yards up the road by the entrance to your building. There was another man in the car. They didn't drive off. I was curious, so I hung about. I drove round the block and parked myself. Just before I telephoned, they changed over. The blue car moved off and a grocer's van came straight into the spot and stayed there. So I phoned you. You've gone very white, Davina. What's going on?'

‘Nothing I can talk about,' she said. She looked out of the back window. ‘There's a cream van behind us,' she said. ‘Is that the one?'

‘No,' he checked. ‘So whoever is keeping surveillance, it's on the building; obviously they don't have instructions to follow you.'

‘But you say there was a tail on Colin –'

‘I'm afraid so,' he said. He leaned forward, opened the glass panel and said, ‘The Ritz Hotel, please,' and shut it again. ‘I have a room there. I use it sometimes. We can talk.' He reached out and took her hand. She tried to pull away but he held tighter and she would have had to struggle. ‘You're cold,' he said. ‘Stop being a fool and let me hold your hand. You're mixed up in something nasty, aren't you? I thought my car was too distinctive so I picked up the taxi instead. Good idea, wasn't it?'

‘Good ideas are your business,' Davina said. ‘For God's sake, don't start fancying yourself as a spy! I've got enough trouble without worrying about you.'

‘I'd like you to worry about me,' he said. ‘Here we are. My favourite hotel.'

She hurried through the famous ground-floor lobby, followed Walden into a lift and came out on the second floor. He produced a tagged key and opened a door marked ‘Suite A'. It was a charming room, decorated in pale blue, with elegant furniture and fresh flowers.

Inside Davina looked round and said, ‘A room is hardly the word. What do you do in here?'

Walden was taking glasses out of a cupboard stocked with drinks. ‘I entertain,' he said. ‘Wine for you, or something stronger?'

‘Stronger,' she answered. ‘Entertain clients?'

‘Ladies.' Walden handed her a brandy. ‘And sometimes clients who don't want anyone to know they're employing the agency; a suite at the Ritz makes them feel secure. Beautiful view, isn't it?'

‘Lovely,' she agreed. The park spread out under the windows; they might have been in a grand country house surrounded by a vast acreage. ‘Tony, you're
certain
that blue car was a stake-out?'

It was almost an appeal, but he only nodded and said, ‘Absolutely certain. And in case you think I'm playing at spies, as you call it, I'll remind you that I knew a little about escape routes from East Germany. I'm not a professional like you, my dear, but I'm not an amateur either. The building is being watched and Major Lomax was followed home. You'd better tell me why, or I can't help you.'

‘I don't need any help,' she said. ‘Nor does Colin; he can look after himself.'

‘I'm sure he can,' Walden said. ‘I'm not thinking about him. Davina, why don't you trust me? I could be very useful. I've got money, facilities, anything you need. Tell me one thing: who do you think is doing it?'

She sat down and sipped her brandy. She needed it. Only two days and the flat was already being watched. He waited and the silence lengthened. She looked up at him. He was right. He could call up the sort of backing that they lacked. Transport, a private plane – money. The suite at the Ritz. She made up her mind in that split second.

‘The Russians,' she said. ‘You read about the double agent Peter Harrington escaping from prison last week – we've got him in the flat.'

‘Holy Christ!' He jerked out of his chair. ‘You mean you got him out of prison?'

‘No, the KGB organized that. Colin grabbed him from them. That's why what you've told me is so desperately serious. It means they either suspect he's there, or they know it. Whichever, they'll move in on us soon.'

He watched her closely, a deep frown drawing the thick dark brows together. ‘You've no official backing.'

It was a statement and she didn't hesitate. ‘None. Not even Humphrey, so I'd be glad if you'd keep this quiet if he starts nosing round.'

The frown didn't lift. ‘Why not? I understood you were in the Service, working under a cover. That's why I provided the job.'

‘I was, and I am,' Davina answered. ‘You asked me to trust you a minute ago. I could do with a little trust on your part. I didn't have to tell you. I don't have to explain any more, and I'm not going to.'

He held up his hand. ‘Good enough. Thank you for taking me into your confidence. It sounds so dangerous and crazy that I almost wish you hadn't. What can I do to help?'

Davina sat back; she felt steadier now, and she was thinking at top speed. ‘I know what you can do, but I have to say something to you first. You're right about the danger. The KGB want Harrington. My feeling is they'll take a chance that he's hidden in Marylebone and break into the flat. If he gets killed in the process, that'll be too bad. All they want to do is shut his mouth. What I need is to get him out of there and somewhere where they won't find him. Not for a week at least. Will you let me bring him here?'

‘What a brilliant idea! Nobody will think of the Ritz.… You're a genius, Davina. And quick to see the main chance. You'd better work for me properly after all this is over.'

He lit a cigarette and gave it to her. ‘I'll be starting my own agency,' he said. ‘My trip to the States decided that.'

For the moment she forgot Harrington, and the menace of the watchers in the street. ‘You've resigned? I am so sorry.'

He shrugged. ‘The loss of that Arab connection was too big to explain away. They wanted my head on a platter and I gave it to them before they had the chance to cut it off. I feel rather relieved. But never mind that. That's what I came round to the flat to tell you.'

‘Thank God you did,' Davina said. ‘Tony, I'd better get back. I'll call Colin first.'

‘Where are you?' Lomax asked.

‘I'm with Tony Walden. Hallo – Colin? I thought we'd got cut off – I said I'm with Tony. You'll never guess where – never mind. No, of course I'm not!' Walden heard the sharp tone of her voice and smiled a little. Jealous, he thought. She doesn't like that. ‘I'm coming back right away. What's Harrington doing? For God's sake don't let him drink too much – he can't hold it – and pack some things for him and for us. Yes, I said pack … I'll tell you when I get there.' She hung up, and when she turned, Walden saw there was a little colour in her face. He wondered what Lomax had asked that put it there.

‘Tony, I think we should get him over here tonight. There's no point in waiting. But you'll have to help. And I've got to warn you that it could be dangerous for you.'

He said lightly, ‘I'm not worried. Just panic-stricken, that's all. I can use a gun, by the way.'

‘You won't need one,' she said. ‘All you'll need is an overcoat and a hat. Something distinctive. Do you keep any clothes here?'

‘Only pyjamas,' he said. ‘Just for appearance sake. I can get a coat and a hat from home. What do I have to do?'

‘Come to the flat in an hour,' she said. ‘Wear the coat and the hat. We'll take it from there. I'll get back now. And thanks.' She came up to him and kissed him on the cheek. ‘I'll make it up to you about the agency. I promise.' Then she was gone.

6

‘I've cleaned up for you,' the boy called Ronnie said. ‘And I got some sausages and stuff for supper.'

Humphrey looked round at the bleak little sitting room. It was spotlessly tidy, as it had been when he left for the office that morning. Ronnie stood waiting for approval.

‘It looks very nice,' Humphrey said. ‘Thanks for getting the shopping for me. It's a nuisance buying food on my way home. Usually I don't bother,' he admitted.

‘I'll cook up something,' Ronnie offered eagerly. ‘I'm not too bad at it, used to help Mum when we were all at home. You sit down. Like a drink?'

Humphrey nodded. He looked at the smiling young face and felt a sense of warmth and comfort he had never before known. Such a genuinely nice boy, grateful for everything, anxious to please. He had never had anyone to look after him before.

‘That would be nice, Ronnie. Sherry please – and have one with me. Thanks. Now tell me, did you go to the job centre today?'

‘I went as soon as I'd tidied up,' was the answer. ‘There was a job as a washer-up in a café up Pimlico way. I saw the manageress, but she was a right old cow. The pay was twenty quid a week, for six nights, seven till twelve o'clock.'