Time of the Assassins by Alistair MacLean Page B

Airport last night.'

'So he still hasn't contacted Bailey about the hit?'

'Not a word. This is a critical stage of the operation, Sabrina. That's why you've got to stop Michael from getting to Bernard.'

'I'll get the next flight out to Habane,' she assured him. 'Who's my contact in Zimbala?'

'We don't have anyone in Zimbala. Bailey offered to get one of his men at the embassy to liaise with you but I decided against it. I don't want the CIA interfering in our business. What they will do is leave an envelope for you in one of the lockers at the airport. It'll contain your hotel reservation, money, maps of the city - the usual. I've also asked them to leave a Beretta there for you. The key will be at the information desk. But apart from that, you're on your own.'

'It won't be the first time,' she muttered.

'Call me when you get there. I hope to have more on Bernard by then.'

'How's the Colonel?'

'He's fine. I saw him this morning.'

'Send him my regards when you next see him, will you?'

'Of course. And Sabrina, be careful.'

'You can count on it.' She replaced the receiver and looked round at Graham who was hovering at the door. 'Bernard left for Zimbala last night.'

'I got the gist of the conversation. Why the sudden change of heart? You were determined to spill the works when you went to the phone.'

'What good would it have done telling Sergei I'd found you? You wouldn't have come back with me anyway. Then I'd have had to chase after you wherever you went. It would have been like something out of the Keystone Cops. At least this way I know where you are. And I know Bernard will be able to tip off Bailey before you get to him.' She gave him a wry smile. 'Well, that's what I'll say in my defence when I get back. I don't think it'll save me from suspension though.'

'Why should you be suspended? It's not as if I gave you much choice. You did what you thought was best under the circumstances. The Colonel can't fault you for that. And what was all that about sending him your regards? Is he ill?'

'I haven't told you, have I? With all this going on, it completely slipped my mind.'

'Told me what?'

They returned to the room where she explained

about Philpott's heart attack and his subsequent convalescence at the Bellevue Hospital where he would remain for the next few days.

'He can be a cantankerous old fossil at times but I hope this isn't going to force him to retire. The place wouldn't be the same without him.'

'It's up to his doctor to decide if he'll be fit enough to return to work. But the signs are encouraging by all accounts.' She gestured to the door. 'Well, I'd better get back to the hotel and pack.'

'How will I know where you're staying once you reach Zimbala? You're sure to get there first.'

'We don't need to travel separately. U N A C O don't have anyone in Zimbala so word can't get back to Sergei that we're working together.'

'But word can get back to Bernard. Remember, he doesn't know what happened at the factory tonight. As far as he's concerned, I'm still a threat to him. And that means he's sure to have people at the airport ready to intercept me the moment I arrive there.'

'What about me? If Al-Makesh knew we were with UN A C O, then Bernard's sure to know it as well. And for all he knows, we could be working together to track him down.'

Graham shook his head. 'He'll know the real reason why you're in Beirut.'

'How? Sergei said Bernard hasn't been in touch with Bailey for days, certainly not since C.W. and I were assigned to the case.'

'Because Al-Makesh knew why you were in Beirut. All Bailey had to do was tell the Mossad why you were here and they would have got Al-Makesh to pass the

information on to Bernard. How else do you think Al-Makesh knew we were from UN A CO? Not from some informer on the street corner. From the Mossad.' Graham sat on the bed and looked up at her. 'Bernard will make sure you're given a free hand wherever you go. You're his guardian angel-the one person keeping me