what matters is that we have it, that it is full of petrol with spare cans and that we all know where it is parked. We’ve bought some maps too.’
‘’Cepting I can’t drive, guv,’ Vince said.
‘Then you have to learn on the job.’
That was too good to let by. ‘Steady on, old chap, we’re here to work?’
‘It’s not funny,’ Jardine snapped. ‘If we have to press the alarm button, it’s get out as quick as we can and make for the Czech border. Make sure you each have enough cash handy for bribes, in case passports are not enough.’
‘That comes under the heading of teaching your grandmother to suck eggs, old boy.’
‘Lorries?’ Jardine asked.
‘No one outfit is big enough for what we need so I will probably arrange for two or more to provide our transport once we are sure of what we require. Now, if you don’t mind, I have to report back to London.’
Jardine opened his door to make sure the corridor was clear: they should not be seen together and he had told hisRumanian contact where he was resident. ‘Now, Vince, tonight I am having dinner with this colonel. Take up a seat where you can see us together – I want you to know what he looks like.’
Colonel Dimitrescu was a handsome fellow, with olive skin and swept-back, thick, dark hair, a thin black moustache, well-dressed in a grey suit, white shirt and dark tie. He reminded Jardine of the American film actor, Don Ameche. His handshake was dry and firm, while his dark-brown eyes looked steadily into those of the man greeting him.
‘Colonel.’
‘How is our mutual friend?’
‘Looking his years, I’m afraid, but his mind is as sharp as ever. Shall we eat, or would you care for an aperitif first?’
‘Perhaps a drink, yes. I have always found champagne the best, and since the hotel has a bar dedicated to that …’
‘Then let us go there.’
Dimitrescu wanted to examine him before committing to a dinner table, which left Jardine wondering how much he had found out, because Zaharoff would be discreet. The champagne bar was dark-panelled and hushed, with few clients, so a perfect place for them to quietly talk. With two glasses of Mumm in their hands they clinked them, eyes locked, his enquiring, Jardine’s without expression.
‘You are an interesting man, Herr Jardine.’
‘Am I?’
Dimitrescu nodded. ‘You cannot act as you do withoutleaving a trail and it is the business of colleagues of mine to pick that up. Certain activities in South America, for instance, and then there is Palestine.’ Jardine just nodded; there was no point in denying his previous gun-running exploits, but he was pleased at no mention of Hamburg. ‘These perhaps tell me the nature of what you are seeking help to do?’
‘They would indicate that, yes. I have been advised you are in a position to facilitate certain matters.’
‘Perhaps. It is too early to say.’
‘You are part of the War Ministry?’
‘Yes, I am.’
‘And at present engaged in the procurement of certain items for your army?’
Dimitrescu smiled, which, being lopsided and showing very good teeth, made him look even more like the film actor, but it was a false expression: his eyes said he was not pleased. ‘That is supposed to be a secret.’
‘Please be assured I will tell no one, not even those I represent.’
‘And they are?’
‘Please, Colonel, you would not expect me to answer that.’ The Rumanian took a sip of his drink. ‘But if you were in the act of procuring certain items, that would surely mean they were replacements for equipment you already possess.’
‘And that interests you?’
Jardine nodded, which brought another smile, this time genuine, a sudden emptying of the glass, then, ‘Perhaps we could go to dinner now.’
Which was his way of saying ‘perhaps we can do business’. Silently they made their way through to the dining room: large, with a high ceiling, hung with several glittering chandeliers, the decor heavy and rather
‘’Cepting I can’t drive, guv,’ Vince said.
‘Then you have to learn on the job.’
That was too good to let by. ‘Steady on, old chap, we’re here to work?’
‘It’s not funny,’ Jardine snapped. ‘If we have to press the alarm button, it’s get out as quick as we can and make for the Czech border. Make sure you each have enough cash handy for bribes, in case passports are not enough.’
‘That comes under the heading of teaching your grandmother to suck eggs, old boy.’
‘Lorries?’ Jardine asked.
‘No one outfit is big enough for what we need so I will probably arrange for two or more to provide our transport once we are sure of what we require. Now, if you don’t mind, I have to report back to London.’
Jardine opened his door to make sure the corridor was clear: they should not be seen together and he had told hisRumanian contact where he was resident. ‘Now, Vince, tonight I am having dinner with this colonel. Take up a seat where you can see us together – I want you to know what he looks like.’
Colonel Dimitrescu was a handsome fellow, with olive skin and swept-back, thick, dark hair, a thin black moustache, well-dressed in a grey suit, white shirt and dark tie. He reminded Jardine of the American film actor, Don Ameche. His handshake was dry and firm, while his dark-brown eyes looked steadily into those of the man greeting him.
‘Colonel.’
‘How is our mutual friend?’
‘Looking his years, I’m afraid, but his mind is as sharp as ever. Shall we eat, or would you care for an aperitif first?’
‘Perhaps a drink, yes. I have always found champagne the best, and since the hotel has a bar dedicated to that …’
‘Then let us go there.’
Dimitrescu wanted to examine him before committing to a dinner table, which left Jardine wondering how much he had found out, because Zaharoff would be discreet. The champagne bar was dark-panelled and hushed, with few clients, so a perfect place for them to quietly talk. With two glasses of Mumm in their hands they clinked them, eyes locked, his enquiring, Jardine’s without expression.
‘You are an interesting man, Herr Jardine.’
‘Am I?’
Dimitrescu nodded. ‘You cannot act as you do withoutleaving a trail and it is the business of colleagues of mine to pick that up. Certain activities in South America, for instance, and then there is Palestine.’ Jardine just nodded; there was no point in denying his previous gun-running exploits, but he was pleased at no mention of Hamburg. ‘These perhaps tell me the nature of what you are seeking help to do?’
‘They would indicate that, yes. I have been advised you are in a position to facilitate certain matters.’
‘Perhaps. It is too early to say.’
‘You are part of the War Ministry?’
‘Yes, I am.’
‘And at present engaged in the procurement of certain items for your army?’
Dimitrescu smiled, which, being lopsided and showing very good teeth, made him look even more like the film actor, but it was a false expression: his eyes said he was not pleased. ‘That is supposed to be a secret.’
‘Please be assured I will tell no one, not even those I represent.’
‘And they are?’
‘Please, Colonel, you would not expect me to answer that.’ The Rumanian took a sip of his drink. ‘But if you were in the act of procuring certain items, that would surely mean they were replacements for equipment you already possess.’
‘And that interests you?’
Jardine nodded, which brought another smile, this time genuine, a sudden emptying of the glass, then, ‘Perhaps we could go to dinner now.’
Which was his way of saying ‘perhaps we can do business’. Silently they made their way through to the dining room: large, with a high ceiling, hung with several glittering chandeliers, the decor heavy and rather
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