by Rosie Clarke
‘And do you trust this man? How do you know he’s telling you the truth – how can you be sure that it won’t endanger your life as well as his?’
Sebastian hesitated for a moment, then, ‘I can’t, of course. I expect it to be dangerous, but I have to go. Eric knows that he only has a short time to deliver his information and get out of England. He isn’t safe here – I’m not sure he’s safe anywhere – but I have to meet him and I’ve promised to go alone. I also gave my word not to contact anyone – which is why I want you to ring this number a quarter of an hour after I leave. It can’t be before that, Lizzie, because if Eric suspects a trap he’ll bolt…Jack is only minutes away from the rendezvous and he’ll be there seconds after we arrive, or even slightly before us, but you must wait for the right moment. If Jack gets there too early it could ruin things…’
‘Are you going to betray Eric?’
‘No, of course not, but he doesn’t trust Jack. I’m counting on Jack to arrive if there’s any trouble. Once I have the stuff, Eric can leave or let Jack help him get away to safety, if he can be brought to accept that Jack is his friend – and I need him there in case it’s a trap…’
‘Why would he want to trap you?’
‘I do not think Eric intends anything of the sort, but he may be followed… he may have enemies who want the information he’s willing to give only to me, because he doesn’t know who else to trust.’
‘You could be in danger too…’ Lizzie said. ‘How do I ring Jack?’
‘I’ve written it down for you. Once you contact him, destroy it, Lizzie. Put it on the fire and watch it burn…’
‘Oh, Sebastian…’ She felt sick inside and her hands trembled as she took the scrap of paper. ‘Why don’t you let Jack go in your place?’
‘Because Eric would just bolt… if you ring exactly a quarter of an hour after I leave it will give me time to get there first and talk to him.’
‘Supposing he isn’t there?’
‘In that case I’ll have to manage alone. It may be perfectly straightforward, Lizzie – but this is my safety net…’
‘It’s no use my asking you not to go?’
‘You know the answer, darling. If there were any other way I wouldn’t have told you, but I may need Jack’s help – and, besides, I gave my word I would let him know if this happened…’
Lizzie nodded; her throat tight with fear, then, ‘All right, I’ll do what you ask – but this is the last time, Sebastian…’
‘Thank you, darling.’ Sebastian walked towards her and put his arms around her, holding her close for a moment. ‘I’m sorry to involve you in all this cloak-and-dagger stuff. Believe me, I wish I didn’t have to go – but I gave my word…’
*
Lizzie checked her watch against the mantle clock the moment Sebastian left the house. She had to wait fifteen minutes, because if she panicked and rang too soon it could all go wrong. She decided to sit on the bed. She could use the telephone there and it was something to do, because the waiting was unbearable. Oh why had Sebastian got involved in all this stuff in the first place? Why couldn’t he have been content to run his business and stay out of politics or spying or whatever it was?
Her watch hardly seemed to have moved. Just as her hand moved towards the phone to check it was working, it rang loudly, shrilling in her ear and making her jump. She snatched it up.
‘Yes, Lizzie here.’
‘Lizzie, it’s Miriam,’ the voice said. ‘Betty rang me to tell me she’s coming home soon, but she says she’s intending to stay with you for a while – see how it goes. She sounded a bit upset – do you know if she’s all right?’
‘Sebastian took the call last time,’ Lizzie said and lifted her arm so that she could see her watch. It was all right, she still had five minutes to go. ‘He said she put the phone down abruptly but he thought her money had run out… I thought she would be happy to get back to London…’
‘The thing is I have a letter for her here,’ Miriam said. ‘I didn’t know whether to bring it round or send it on…’
‘I shouldn’t send it on, it might miss her…’ Lizzie checked the time again… seven minutes…
‘I haven’t seen you for ages,’ Miriam said. ‘Will it be all right if I pop round tomorrow and drop Betty’s letter off? Only I don’t want to intrude and I know Sebastian is at home more now…’
‘We shall both be pleased to see you,’ Lizzie assured her. ‘You know you’re always welcome – come to lunch and spend the day with us…’
‘Yes, I should like that…’ Aunt Miriam said. ‘Did you see those pictures of Francie in that magazine… aren’t they lovely?’
‘Yes…’ Lizzie saw the clock reach three minutes to the deadline. ‘Look, I’m sorry, Miriam. I have to go. I’ll ring back if I can, if not I’ll see you tomorrow…’
She replaced the receiver down and rung the number she’d been given. It was engaged. Lizzie replaced it again and counted to ten. Just as she was about to try for the second time her phone rang. She snatched it off the hook and slammed it down hard and then picked it straight up again and dialled the number she wanted. This time she heard it ringing and then it was picked up.
‘Jack…’ a voice said.
‘Sebastian says can you meet him at the place you arranged, right now…’
‘Who is this?’
‘Sebastian’s wife. He had a call this evening and asked me to ring you…’
‘Thanks. All right I’ll go…’
Lizzie heard the phone go down at the other end. She replaced her receiver and almost immediately her phone rang again and she reached for it, still breathless and trembling. ‘Yes, who is it?’
‘Mum, is that you?’ Francie said. ‘I tried to ring just now but it was rather odd; it picked up and whoever it was slammed it down again straight away.’
‘How odd, darling, perhaps you got the wrong number,’ Lizzie said and leaned back against the pillows. ‘Are you all right?’
‘Yes, I’m fine, Mum,’ Francie said. ‘I’m coming home tomorrow…’
‘Shall I meet your train, darling? What time does it get in?’
‘At about three I think. No, don’t meet me. I can manage. You don’t want to come all the way to the station to fetch me in your condition. I can easily get a taxi…’
‘Is something the matter, Francie?’
‘I’ve got something to tell you tomorrow and I’d rather tell you and Dad together…’
‘Can’t you tell me now, if it’s important?’
‘I would rather tell you and Dad tomorrow…’
‘I’m afraid your Aunt Miriam will be here some of the time,’ Lizzie said. ‘I’ve just invited her for lunch…’
‘Oh – well, I suppose it doesn’t matter. I shan’t get back until the afternoon anyway. Have you heard from Betty recently? Is she all right? I know she’s safe, because Dad told me, and she sent me a pretty card, but I’ve been worried about her…’
‘Yes, we all have, love, but she sounds fine. I think she enjoyed her stay with Frank’s family, but she’s coming home to live soon…’
‘That makes two of us then…’ Francie said. ‘Bye, Mum. I’ll see you sometime tomorrow…’
‘Look forward to it, darling…’
Lizzie replaced the receiver and got up from the bed. Francie’s call was intriguing; a little bit ominous. The only reason she would be coming home to live was if she’d failed her exams. At any other time that would have vexed and upset Lizzie, but at the moment all she could think about was Sebastian and whether he was safe. Would Jack arrive in time to help if there was trouble – and just where was the meeting place? It had clearly been pre-arranged, but would their plan – whatever it was – work out as they hoped?
*
Sebastian approached the safe house. Eric had wanted to meet at a café or somewhere public but he’d overruled him, insisting that they come here.
‘If we meet in public it gives your shadow the chance to mingle wi
th the crowd and get near to you, Eric. Do not think yourself safe because there are other people around. The merest scratch of a needle against your hand in a public place and you could be dead within a few hours. The men we’re up against are ruthless, believe me. I’m not even sure who their paymasters are – though the Russians are my guess. We know they’ve infiltrated our own organisation and we’re trying to root them out, but they’re clever and they use people you would never suspect. Better to meet where I know we’ll be safe and we can talk in private…’
Eric had been silent for a few seconds, then, ‘Very well, I trust you, and only you – give me your word you will not make a phone call to anyone concerning this meeting?’
‘I give you my word that I will not betray you,’ Sebastian had answered. ‘I didn’t drive across half of Europe to have you killed here in England, my friend. Even I haven’t been briefed about exactly what you have, but I know it’s important. I hope it’s securely hidden somewhere and not on your person.’
‘My information is where no one else could get it – unless I choose to give it…’ Eric said grimly and Sebastian guessed that most of it was probably in the man’s head. He must have a terrific memory to be able to hold names, dates and places, but surely there was more? He would need proof of his claims– photographs, documents. Obviously, Eric wasn’t prepared to trust anyone, which meant if he died the information he carried would be lost.
‘Do you still have the gun I gave you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good. If we need it, use it… I’ll have one too…’
‘All right – don’t let me down.’
Sebastian approached the deserted warehouse, moving aside the loose boarding he’d told Eric of. He took the strong torch from his pocket and shone it on the ground, making his way further into the huge echoing empty space. It smelled of damp and decay, and the sounds of the river were close. At first he thought he’d arrived first or Eric wasn’t coming, but then he sensed something close by.
‘Are you here, Eric?’ he whispered. For a moment no answer came and then a small scraping noise behind him. Sebastian spun round, fearing a trap. If Eric was being followed, as he suspected, someone could be here, lying in wait for them both.
‘Is that you, Sebastian?’
‘Yes…’ He drew a breath of relief. ‘Eric – were you followed?’
‘For a while, but I think I gave them the slip. I took the underground and jumped off just before the train left, then doubled back and came here on a bus. My shadow will pick me up later when I return to the hotel – at least that is what they think, but this time I don’t intend to return.’
‘Have you got somewhere to go?’
‘I’m trying for the ports. It’s too dangerous at the airport. I know they are watched. I can get a working passage on a trawler…’
‘As long as you have what you need,’ Sebastian said. ‘I don’t have to know the rest…’
‘Do you have the money?’
‘A thousand pounds. If the information is what they want I think you will get more, but for that you’ll need to give me a bank account here in London so that we can set the payment up for you…’
‘Thanks…’ Eric said and moved forward. He slid his hand into his inside pocket and for a moment Sebastian tensed, his fingers curling round the gun he had in his overcoat, but Eric drew out a bulky envelope and held it out to him. Sebastian took it and gave him the envelope with the money inside. They were about to shake hands when four figures suddenly burst through the doorway. In the sudden light from outside, it was possible to see that they were carrying handguns, which were pointed at Sebastian.
‘We’ll take that if you please, Mr Winters…’
‘You swore you wouldn’t betray me…’ Eric said and looked at Sebastian accusingly.
‘He didn’t,’ the cool English voice said. ‘You should not assume that because you lose one man you’ve lost us all… you and your information are too important to us…’
Sebastian cursed softly. Someone had managed to follow Eric and called reinforcements. So where the hell was Jack? Had Lizzie got the timing wrong? Then he sensed movement behind him and breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Look out, Sebastian,’ a voice he knew well cried from the shadows. Sebastian dived to the floor, pulling Eric with him and half covering him with his body, as a hail of bullets ripped through the darkness that was suddenly pierced with bright light as several spotlights were beamed on them.
The shots passed over them, though Sebastian heard a moan from Eric, but even as he reached to see if there was blood, the firing stopped. A moment later, he felt hands pulling him up and looking at his hands saw they were covered in blood.
‘For God’s sake tell me that isn’t yours,’ Jack said, emerging from behind the blinding lights. ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t prevent this – but it was always going to come to a showdown…and I needed to trap them so I waited until they announced themselves…’
Sebastian saw that several men wearing dark green combat dress were examining the men they’d shot, two of whom seemed to be still alive, but bleeding; one had knelt with his hands behind his head and looked unhurt, but another was clearly dead. Sebastian was only interested in the one that still lay at his feet. He heard a moan and bent over Eric, discovering that he was bleeding heavily from a wound to his leg.
‘Damn,’ Sebastian said. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t get you down soon enough…’
‘Are you hit anywhere else, sir?’ Jack said and bent over Eric; he took the belt from the dark mackintosh he was wearing to make a tourniquet, working efficiently to stop the flow of blood. ‘I’m so sorry you caught a stray shot. ‘We’ve been following you ever since you got to London, protecting your back – but unfortunately this evening, you gave our man the slip, as well as theirs. However, acting on information received, I was able to set this up – but not in time to stop them trying to grab you.’
Eric blinked in the strong lights. ‘I might have been killed…’
‘I can assure you they think you’re too valuable for that,’ Jack told him with a smile. ‘Now, I know you don’t know who to trust, but I could’ve had you killed days ago had I wanted. I could also have pulled you in but I needed to catch the men who betrayed you – and, this was my opportunity. I’m glad to say we are now in a position to root them all out, including the traitor in our own department. As for you, you’re going to a special hospital until we can debrief you and set you up with a new identity… after that, you’ll be free to go where you please… although the Americans would love to talk to you about some of the detail you have on Russian intentions towards the West…’ He took out a flat gold case and offered the contents to Eric, lighting the slim Turkish cigarette he chose as casually as if he were out for a Sunday stroll. ‘Rather good this brand I always think…’
‘Is he really one of your colleagues’ Eric demanded of Sebastian, who grinned and nodded. Jack was wearing an evening suit and a shirt with a frill down the front under the mac he’d let fall open when he removed the belt.
‘Oh yes, Jack is for real – and you can trust him as much as you trust me. He’s never let me down yet…’
Jack smiled, lifting his fine brows. ‘You can leave this to us now, Seb. You’d better get back to that wife of yours – and tell her I’ll be glad to enrol her in the service any time she likes…’
‘Over my dead body,’ Sebastian retorted. ‘Lizzie doesn’t need any of this – and nor do I…’
‘I give you my word we shan’t be bothering you again… unless there’s an international emergency, like another war.’
Sebastian sent him a look that would’ve slayed any other man. Jack merely lifted his brows and started giving orders to his men.
‘Good luck in the future,’ he said to Eric, who was now on his feet, but leaning heavily on one of the men in combat gear.
‘You too,’ Eric said. ‘Thanks for helping me…’ he hesitated, then, ‘Tell Gretchen I do care about her
but I can’t afford to get close to anyone…marriage isn’t for men like me and nothing else is good enough for her. Can you make her understand why? Please…’
‘I’ll talk to her but I’m not sure she’ll accept what I have to say…’
‘Do your best…’Eric smiled wryly. ‘I’m not much of a catch – she could be a widow before she was a wife. Tell her that…’
Sebastian nodded and turned away. He would do what Eric asked for Gretchen’s sake, but that was all he could do for Eric. Whatever Jack said, as far as he was concerned all this was a closed book. In another ten days it would be Christmas and he intended to take a long holiday…
Chapter 29
‘You can expect your coursework including the two portraits to be returned in time for Christmas,’ Miss Honiton said as she handed Francie the envelope containing her exam results. ‘It’s a pity about the portraits, but I’m sure you know best what you want to do with them.’
‘They were never intended for sale,’ Francie said. ‘I’m flattered that the gallery wanted to include them in an exhibition of work by young artists but they’re meant to be presents.’
‘Yes, I perfectly understand…’ Miss Honiton offered her hand. ‘I shall be sorry not to see you here next term, Francie. However, I do wish you all the best with your future work and I hope you have a good life.’
‘Thank you, Miss Honiton. I’ve enjoyed my time here.’
‘Very well. You’d better go or you’ll miss your train.’
‘I have a taxi coming to fetch me,’ Francie said. ‘I just have to say goodbye to my friends…’
She walked back to the room she’d shared with Jilly and Averil. They had their things packed and were ready to leave.
‘What was it like?’ Jilly asked. ‘She congratulated me on getting a B+ – but I know she thinks I’ll never get anywhere much with my art. Mum won’t care because she thought it was a waste of time, but now she’ll have me in a secretarial college as soon as she can sign the forms…’