A Devil Is Waiting - Jack Higgins [97]
“What are you doing about it? Have you pulled him in?”
“I can’t do that. Kelly’s dead and taken care of by the disposal unit, killed by Dillon after he shot Jean Talbot. Henri Legrande is in Rubat. The unfortunate news is that Sara has been kidnapped at the behest of Ali Selim, who we’ve traced to Rubat. Holley and Dillon have flown out to Greg Slay in Hazar. Right about now, they’re going to descend on Rubat in one of Greg’s Scorpion helicopters and try to get her back.”
“Dear God,” Ferguson said. “They’re going in now, you say, and I’ve just been called in for drinks by the Prime Minister?”
“You do lead a rough old life, Charles. However, to cut to the chase, I wouldn’t say a word about this. Just keep your fingers crossed that our gallant lads triumph and bring the girl home safe. That way, you might still have a job.”
“What a comfort you are, Giles. I’ll go back in and try to keep smiling.”
When Ferguson returned, everyone was enjoying their drink and listening to the French foreign minister playing Cole Porter numbers on the grand piano. He was doing it rather well, and people joined in with the chorus of “Night and Day.”
Ferguson pulled Henry Frankel into a corner, who said, “What on earth is this, Charles?”
“Henry, you’ve got the biggest mouth on you in Downing Street, perhaps even the House of Commons.”
“Why, Charles, how unkind.”
“Henry, I beg you. No mention of a Foreign Legionnaire who trained the IRA in the Algerian desert, no mention of what a good job Colonel Claude Duval and the DGSE have done for us.”
“You’re getting quite intense. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to tell me exactly what’s going on?”
“While we’re living it up, Dillon and Daniel Holley are flying into Rubat to try and save Sara Gideon, who’s been kidnapped by Ali Selim’s people. That’s where the bastard is—Rubat—and guess who’s been working with him all along? Owen Rashid, the Sultan’s nephew.”
Henry said, “Is that so?” His smile had no warmth to it at all. “You know, I never cared for Owen. When you reach my age, it’s comforting to know you’re right occasionally. However, thank you for the confidence. I realize of course that you are hoping I’ll agree not to mention this to the Prime Minister.”
“That was the general idea.”
“Like Sara said, hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Just imagine, we could be both out of a job.”
“Or claiming all the success, as politicians do, if everything succeeds.”
“Exactly.” Henry smiled. “It’s going to be a long night, Charles. Brandy and bridge, is my suggestion.”
The Falcon landed, taxied up to Slay’s hangar, and parked. He immediately ordered priority refueling, reminding the tower that it was an Algerian plane on diplomatic business.
In the hangar, they met Feisal, got him to find a blanket, and laid out the weapons. Each of them was wearing a bulletproof vest, and the personal weapons were the same for each: a Walther and a .25 Colt, an Uzi submachine gun—all silent versions—a useful flick-knife for the left boot, a couple of pineapple grenades, Semtex with five-minute pencil timers.
Feisal had gone off to check with the tower, and returned as the refueling truck finished its work and drove away. The wind was beginning to pick up again, and one could feel the sand.
He came into the comparative warmth of the hangar and found the three men pulling on desert fatigue tunics and loading up the capacious pockets.
“They landed at Rubat just under an hour ago. I have reminded my friend on night dispatch that the Falcon is on an important Algerian diplomatic mission and must be allowed a priority departure when you are ready to leave.”
Greg went out to his office and returned with a small leather purse, which he handed to Feisal. “If something goes wrong, you must flee at once with your wife and child into the Empty Quarter. In the bag are fifty gold sovereigns, worth a couple of thousand pounds sterling in today’s market. You have been a good friend.”
Feisal embraced him. “My wife is already waiting