Nest of Spies

by Geoffrey Davison

  Rassitz was on the bridge. So was Salunda. With them was Ahmad and Rassitz’s first lieutenant, the Turk Fletcher had seen at the villa. Salunda was staring straight ahead of her. Her face looked pale and drawn. A cardigan hung loosely over her shoulders. She was surprised to see them; it reflected in her face. Instinctively she moved towards Fletcher, but Rassitz stopped her.

  ‘Stefan!’ she exclaimed.

  Rassitz stepped in front of her, his dark eyes giving no indication how he felt.

  ‘Take them to the forward saloon,’ he said flatly.

  ‘These bonds?’ Fletcher asked. ‘Are they necessary?’

  Rassitz didn’t answer and turned his back on them. As they left the bridge Fletcher caught a glimpse of Salunda’s face. She looked worried.

  ‘I don’t think he is going to prove very friendly,’ Mario muttered when they were in the saloon.

  ‘We are about to find out,’ Fletcher whispered, as Rassitz and his first lieutenant appeared at the doorway. Rassitz stood in the entrance, his hard face looking even more ruthless and determined than his photograph had indicated.

  ‘You have become very involved in my affairs,’ he said in Greek without any trace of accent, but in a flat, dour tone.

  ‘Too much for my liking,’ Fletcher replied seriously.

  ‘What were you doing in Serifos?’

  Fletcher had anticipated the question.

  ‘Looking for Salunda,’ he replied.

  ‘What are you?’ Rassitz asked sharply. ‘A romantic or a fool?’

  Fletcher shrugged.

  ‘A bit of both, perhaps.’

  Rassitz gave him a contemptuous scowl, but Fletcher could take his derision.

  ‘And if you had found her?’ Rassitz asked.

  ‘I intended to warn her,’ Fletcher said.

  ‘About what?’

  ‘That the cargo you were being supplied with came from the Communists and that Inspector Ikarios knew all about it.’

  The Turk’s eyes narrowed.

  ‘How do you know this?’ he snapped.

  ‘Look, Rassitz, I am no fool. I have been in this game as long as you. I have even supplied your people with guns. I knew what you were after. Kronos told me. When Salunda took me to Serifos and I came across Dr Sleitser, I put two and two together.’

  ‘You still haven’t answered my question,’ Rassitz said.

  ‘When I was in Serifos I recognised one of the Inspector’s men on the pier. Later the same evening a hired assassin tried to kill me. I figured it was either one of your men or one of the Inspector’s, so I went to your villa to get the answer from Salunda. When I was there I saw you talking to Veti. I know Veti and who he works for. He is a Communist, Rassitz, or didn’t you know?’

  Rassitz didn’t answer.

  ‘I have a lot of contacts,’ Fletcher continued, ‘so I made it my business to find out what was going on.’

  He let Rassitz fill in the gaps himself.

  ‘But you are a Greek,’ Rassitz said pointedly. ‘Why should you want to prevent your own countrymen from capturing me and my men.’

  It was a good question and Fletcher knew he would never convince the man that he wanted to help him.

  ‘I wasn’t worried about you or your men,’ he said. ‘I only wanted to help her.’

  ‘But she is one of us,’ Rassitz snapped.

  ‘No, Rassitz, she is not,’ Fletcher replied evenly, ‘nor was her brother Kasim. She spent a night and a day on my boat. You learn a lot about people on a boat. She is not one of your followers, Rassitz.’

  There was a short, electric silence before Rassitz spoke.

  ‘You speak dangerous words,’ he said.

  Fletcher was aware of this, but having gone so far he intended to go the full limit. If Spencer had got his message, then he was overdue. If he hadn’t, then it wouldn’t make any difference to the outcome. Rassitz would never let them off the boat alive.

  ‘Why should I lie to you?’ he asked. ‘You will kill us no matter what I say.’

  ‘Very true,’ Rassitz said flatly. ‘It is unfortunate, but it is true.’

  He came further into the saloon followed by his two henchmen.

  ‘You puzzle me, though,’ he confessed. ‘I still can’t understand your actions.’

  ‘Perhaps there are still some of us who do not want war to break out again on Cyprus,’ Fletcher remarked.

  Rassitz’s face darkened.

  ‘Don’t lie to me or I will kill you now,’ he yelled. ‘You are a gun-runner. You make money out of wars.’

  ‘But not with your type of weapons.’

  ‘Bah!’ Rassitz cried. ‘You are a fool after all. Does it make any difference whether you kill a man with a rifle or a rocket.’

  ‘Perhaps it does to some people,’ Fletcher said goading the man. ‘To Kasim for instance?’

  ‘Kasim was an idealist,’ Rassitz fumed. ‘He was weak and scared. The very mention of the word Communist was enough to make him run.’

  ‘So you killed him?’

  ‘He killed himself. He disobeyed my orders. No one does that and lives. The moment he put his foot on Serifos he had signed his own death warrant.’

  ‘And you put his body in my apartment?’ Fletcher asked.

  ‘Yes,’ Rassitz agreed. ‘In your apartment.’

  ‘Why?’ Fletcher asked.

  ‘To make sure it would be discovered, and to get you out of the way!’

  It was Fletcher’s turn to be surprised.

  ‘So you telephoned Ikarios,’ Fletcher said.

  ‘Yes, we telephoned the Inspector. We thought he would appreciate the gesture, especially after his attempt to kill you had failed.’

  The Turk’s remark made Fletcher realise he knew more than Fletcher had credited him with. His next remark confirmed this suspicion.

  ‘The British are our allies,’ Rassitz said slowly. ‘We didn’t want to kill two of their best men ourselves.’ He shrugged. ‘But if the Greeks were prepared to do it, why not help them?’

  For the first time Rassitz smiled, showing a row of uneven stained teeth.

  ‘But you are prepared to do it now,’ Fletcher said.

  ‘Yes,’ Rassitz said sadly. ‘Now there is no alternative.’

  The gloves were off. There was no point in trying to fool Rassitz any longer. He had been playing with Fletcher like a cat with a mouse.

  ‘How long have you known?’ he said.

  ‘From the moment you started looking for Lofer. No one does that unless they want to commit suicide.’ He paused dramatically. ‘Or unless they are British.’ His remark made him laugh. ‘That’s why we engaged you to visit Serifos. We wanted to watch developments. Kill two birds with one stone. You see we also suspected the Greeks of having a hand in this.’

  Mario swore under his breath. He didn’t like being used as a decoy by anyone — least of all Rassitz.

  ‘And as you have already explained,’ Rassitz continued, ‘one of the Inspector’s men recognised you and naturally they didn’t want a British agent interfering in their little scheme, so they tried to kill you.’

  ‘You appear to have thought of everything,’ Fletcher said.

  ‘Of course we have,’ Rassitz snapped. ‘Do you think I would risk putting a foot on Greek territory without taking precautions?’

  ‘What about their frigate?’ Fletcher asked.

  ‘Look out of that window,’ Rassitz said, ‘and tell me what you see.’

  Fletcher did as Rassitz had said. On the horizon was a naval vessel.

  ‘That is their frigate,’ Rassitz explained. ‘Now look out of the opposite window.’

  Even before he looked Fletcher knew what he would see. Another naval vessel!

  ‘That is ours,’ Rassitz said with glee.

  But Fletcher had seen something Rassitz hadn’t. There were two vessels on the horizon!

  ‘If the Greek makes one move, our destroyer will open up on him,’ Rassitz went on. ‘We played them at their own gam
e and have beaten them. They are like novices.’ Rassitz was getting warmed up. His eyes were flashing around the room as if he were looking for a disbeliever amongst his group of disciples.

  Fletcher’s excitement was also mounting. Could that other vessel on the distant horizon be the answer to his message to Spencer? It was overdue. Dawn had been the proposed time. And if it was? He had to play for time. Keep Rassitz talking.

  ‘I admire your thoroughness, Rassitz,’ he said slowly, ‘but I must admit you surprised me by having dealings with the Communists.’

  ‘Bah!’ Rassitz snarled. ‘Communist, capitalist, what does it matter so long as you get the weapons. Did the U.N. throw up their arms in disgust when the Greek Cypriots got their supply from Czechoslovakia? They have been dealing with the Communists from the very beginning. You British are an odd race. When it suits your own purpose you turn a blind eye like your great Nelson, but if it doesn’t, you make a lot of noise about it.’

  ‘What about the technicians?’ Fletcher persisted. ‘You must admit that is inviting criticism.’

  ‘I have my sites already prepared. It will take me two days to install the equipment and perhaps a further two or three days to pass on the necessary instructions. Don’t forget some of my men have been trained on similar equipment in Turkey. It will not take them long to become adjusted.’

  ‘A week,’ Fletcher muttered. ‘Long enough for the Greeks to make capital out of it.’

  ‘They won’t say a word,’ Rassitz quickly replied. ‘Not a word. How do you think it would sound if they announced that I, Abdul Rassitz, had gone to a Greek island with my men, boarded a boat equipped with missiles and sailed for Cyprus? Never mind the technicians; they are a mere detail. There are ten times the number of Communists working for the Greeks. The Greeks won’t say a word or they will become the laughing stock of the world.’

  He gave a deep, raucous laugh. The two Turks standing by the door joined him, but Fletcher doubted whether they had fully understood what Rassitz had been saying. His accent was becoming more difficult to follow, his speech more inarticulate.

  Fletcher watched him enjoy his moment. He looked like a wild man with his long hair straggling down the sides of his face. But despite his bedraggled appearance and his high-pitched screaming voice, there was something fiendishly magnetic about him. He had the satanic appeal of a devil’s disciple.

  Rassitz quietened down.

  ‘Kasim spoke your words,’ he said, ‘and so did many others. They even questioned my ability to go into the Greek stronghold and steal their treasure, but now they will eat their words. When these guns are in position that long bearded dupe of the Greek Government will have to recognise my presence.’

  His face hardened and his eyes became glazed.

  ‘For too long my people have been the underdog just because they were weak in numbers. Enosis! Enosis! Enosis!’ He screamed the words. ‘That’s all we hear from them. Well, we don’t want enosis. We want our people to live on the island as they wish, and not to become the lackeys of the men in Athens. If they want enosis then there must be a partition on the island. So you see why my guns are important.’

  Fletcher understood him all right, but Rassitz, like a lot of men of his type, underestimated his opposition. A pistol pointing at the heart only gets results so long as it remains pointing that way, but it is impossible to keep the vigil up for ever.

  ‘You could achieve the same results by peaceful means,’ Fletcher said calmly.

  ‘Talk! Talk!’ Rassitz screamed. ‘We have talked enough. Whenever we talk with them they produce a picture of Grivas and say no more. Now we will match their hero.’

  ‘And the Rhodes Conference?’ Fletcher asked.

  ‘I know nothing about that,’ Rassitz said. ‘I have heard talk of it, that is all, but if such a conference takes place we will be talking from strength, not weakness.’

  The sudden appearance of an anxious-looking Turk at the doorway put paid to any further discussions.

  ‘There is another boat!’ the Turk said breathlessly.

  Fletcher’s pulse quickened. He cast a quick glance at Mario who had been standing listening to the discussion with a long scowling face. Mario nodded his head; he understood what was happening.

  Rassitz stormed out of the saloon followed by his second-in-command. The other Turk remained on guard, the revolver still in his hand.

  ‘We might have to swim for it,’ Fletcher whispered. ‘I don’t think Rassitz will be very pleased to see the Royal Navy.’

  ‘That guard,’ Mario hissed. ‘If only we could get the bonds free.’

  A loud piercing whine made them freeze. Time seemed to stand still as a shell passed over the boat. A few seconds later there was a loud, muffled explosion.

  ‘My God!’ Fletcher exclaimed. ‘They mean business.’

  The boat sharply changed course, flinging Fletcher and Mario across the saloon. Fletcher cast a quick glance their guard who was hanging on to the handrail! Another Turk appeared at the doorway. It was Ahmad.

  ‘The leader wants you on deck,’ he said to the guard. He brought out his own revolver. ‘I’ll take over here.’

  The guard didn’t need any second bidding. He quickly disappeared.

  Ahmad came into the saloon and stood looking at Fletcher and Mario. Fletcher held his breath. Which way was he going to jump?

  ‘Your navy has arrived,’ he said with a smile. He produced a dagger and stuck it forcibly into the table. ‘You are well advised to leave this ship,’ he said, and quickly left the saloon.

  Another shell shrilled towards them making them lie flat on the deck. As soon as it passed over, Mario quickly cut his bonds, and then Fletcher’s.

  Again the boat suddenly changed course as it tried to weave its way out of the gun boat’s range. At the same instant, Salunda staggered into the saloon. Quickly Fletcher grabbed her to stop her from crashing into the bulkhead. He put his arms around her and held her tight.

  ‘You must go,’ she said. ‘He will kill you.’

  ‘Come with us,’ Fletcher pleaded, as he hung on to a small fixed table.

  She tried to push him away.

  ‘Please go,’ she cried.

  Again there was a wailing screech and another explosion. This time the explosion was perilously close. They were getting the range.

  ‘You must come,’ Fletcher yelled. ‘If one of those shells hits this boat, it will go up like gunpowder.’

  He ignored her resistance and pulled her off the floor. But he got no further. Standing in the entrance to the saloon, gun in hand, was Rassitz! He looked insane! His lips trembled with rage and his eyes protruded like two fiery balls. Even before he spoke he fired his revolver.

  ‘British pig!’ he screamed as the bullet went wild.

  There was a tinkle of broken glass as Fletcher flung Salunda and himself behind a settee.

  Crack! Crack! Two further shots ran out. But Rassitz was blind with rage, he was firing well of target.

  ‘British pig,’ he yelled again. ‘I’ll…’

  He got no further. There was a gentle thump as Mario’s knife found its home in Rassitz’s chest! Rassitz gave a guttural groan and slumped to the floor.

  Fletcher got to his feet and crossed over to the body. The dagger had sunk itself into Rassitz’s heart. He would cause no more trouble. Mario withdrew the knife from the body, unconcerned, and wiped it on Rassitz’s clothes.

  Salunda had her head turned away, her face in her hands. Fletcher went over to her and gently put his arms around her shoulders.

  ‘Please go,’ she cried. There were tears in her eyes.

  The engine stopped and Ahmad ran into the saloon. He cast a quick glance at Rassitz’s body and came over to Salunda.

  ‘Kumel has stopped the boat. He is going to sink it before the British get here. We are to lower the lifeboats and make for our destroyer.’

  Salunda regained her composure.

  ‘It is as well,’ she said.

 
; Ahmad looked at Fletcher.

  ‘For the sake of Allah,’ he said, ‘get off this boat before they discover the body.’

  Fletcher turned to Salunda.

  ‘Go,’ she said, and managed a faint smile. ‘I shall be all right with Ahmad.’

  ‘Shall I see you again?’ he asked.

  ‘Oh! Yes,’ she cried. ‘Please go.’

  ‘Quick,’ Mario hissed impatiently.

  As they ran out of the saloon, two Turks appeared. There was a look of surprise on their faces which Fletcher and Mario took advantage of. Before they knew what was happening Fletcher and Mario had waded into them. With a flurry of blows they were quickly pushed to one side. On the deck Fletcher hesitated only long enough to see in which direction the British ship lay, before flinging himself headlong into the sea. But even as they swam away, a spurt of machine-gun fire followed them from the bridge. The Turks didn’t give up their prisoners without a fight!

  Chapter Seventeen

  ‘Nice boat,’ Spencer remarked casually. ‘Pity we didn’t get it intact.’

  He was standing on the deck of the destroyer, Fletcher at his side, watching the yacht sink into the sea. Mario was in the sick bay getting the scars of his battle with Veti and the police attended to.

  ‘You could have done,’ Fletcher pointed out, ‘if you hadn’t hung back for so damned long.’

  ‘I agree,’ Spencer said, ‘but when I saw you swimming towards us I didn’t want to spoil your pleasure. Besides, it solves a lot of problems this way. Less embarrassing all round.’

  Fletcher watched the small boats make their way towards the two other naval vessels which had closed in on the sinking ship. The Turks were heading towards their own destroyer, whilst Sleitser and the remainder of the crew were rowing towards the Greek vessel. Through a pair of binoculars he could see Salunda in one of the Turkish boats.

  ‘What happens now?’ he asked.

  ‘Nothing,’ Spencer said lightly. ‘Absolutely nothing. The incident is closed, but I think our Government will have a very successful conference. I suspect both the Turks and the Greeks will be more willing to co-operate.’