Bomb Grade by Brian Freemantle Page A

here what their input is, from outside Russia. As I have already told you, mine will hopefully be on a similar scale, from what I receive from London …’
    â€˜â€¦ Which isn’t matched in return by what we are providing from our side?’ interrupted Popov, which was why Charlie had hesitated, hoping for just such a reaction.
    I didn’t say it, you did, thought Charlie. Which meant the Russians knew it already, were worried about it already, and that probably Popov, as the man in charge, realized his ass could be in a sling. And was therefore the most worried of all. ‘A conclusive investigation, here in Russia, would reassure a lot of people.’ Particularly certain people in London and keep me in a job. Charlie didn’t understand the suggestion of a smile that briefly touched Popov’s bearded face.
    â€˜Investigations are being carried out,’ insisted the Russian. ‘Several, in fact. Many in the past have proved to be inconclusive: criminals cheating other criminals.’
    Charlie said, ‘I’m aware of that side of the business. So are London. And Washington. But that’s something quite different: it doesn’t create the threat we’re here to discuss. I can’t, of course, speak for the Americans, but I believe my appointment is made with the expectation of even closer, mutual cooperation.’
    Instead of responding at once Popov offered more tea but saw Charlie’s eye on the vodka decanter and switched the invitation, which Charlie accepted. Charlie decided the drink-at-every-stop innovation was another example of how well his luck was holding. As he handed Charlie the glass, Popov said, ‘Are you suggesting the active participation of yourself and the Americans?’
    The tea-or-vodka delay had been intentional, for the man mentally to prepare the legally valid rejection, assessed Charlie. But it hadn’t been prepared sufficiently. ‘I’m very aware I have no legal jurisdiction here. So I don’t see how we could actively participate throughout an entire investigation. It would be impractical as well as impossible from a manpower standpoint alone.’
    Popov frowned, disappointed at being anticipated. ‘What then?’
    â€˜You must understand this is a personal view,’ said Charlie, in a voice carefully modulated to hint it went far beyond. ‘But I wonder if it wouldn’t be interpreted abroad, reassure a lot of people abroad, as just the sort of equally balanced cooperation if there was invited involvement towards the end of an investigation already established to be a genuine case of nuclear smuggling.’ Charlie hoped his good fortune so far hadn’t made him over-confident.
    â€˜It’s a suggestion that hasn’t been considered,’ admitted the Russian.
    â€˜But perhaps one worth examining?’ Lack of legal jurisdiction could as easily have been invoked now as before and Charlie was intrigued the other man didn’t use it. Maybe Popov hadn’t intended rejection after all.
    â€˜I could discuss it,’ offered Popov.
    With whom? seized Charlie. His satisfaction at the apparent unqualified success he’d so far encountered was close to being outweighed by his disappointment at not finding any trace of Natalia. Which went against every sort of logic, reality and even the plain common sense by which Charlie normally operated. He’d hardly been in Moscow five minutes, done scarcely more than begin basically to establish himself, and here he was maintaining infantile delusions about a woman he’d earlier decided, with the hard-headed objectivity he seemed incapable of maintaining for very long, probably listed him as the shit of this or any other century. Pull yourself together! he thought, angrily. Buggering up by accident was all right, but buggering up when it could be avoided didn’t make any sense. ‘I appreciate your seeing me personally. And so