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'Bad news from the front,' Villiers told him. 'Gabrielle's ust been in touch. Things are working well, but she feels she can't keep it up. She wants out.'

'All right,' Fox said. 'Leave it with me.'

* * *

Gabrielle poured herself another drink and sipped a little to steady her nerves, but it had to be done. She sat down and dialled Ferguson's number in London. He answered the phone himself almost instantly.

'Ferguson.'

'Gabrielle.'

His voice changed. 'My dear girl, have you been out? I tried to ring you several times earlier.'

'Yes, to dinner,' she said. 'Why?'

There was a pause and she was filled with a sudden foreboding.

'Look, this isn't easy,' he said. 'We tried to reach your mother and stepfather but it seems they're on a yacht cruising the Greek Islands.'

It could only be one thing, of course. 'Richard?' she whispered.

'Yes, my dear. I'm terribly sorry to have to pass you such news. He's reported missing believed killed in flying operations near Port Stanley.'

'Oh, God,' Gabrielle said, and for a brief moment saw him at his passing-out parade, proud in the naval uniform, a handsome, smiling boy.

'Naturally, I realise the effect this unfortunate business will have on you,' Ferguson said. 'In the circumstances it would probably be better to pull you out.'

'No,' she said wearily. 'No point in that. Not now. Thank you and goodnight Brigadier.'

She sat there staring at the phone, then picked it up and dialled Villiers' number again. He answered at once.

'I've changed my mind, Tony. I'll fly down with Raul and Donner tomorrow to this place Lancy. I can't give you the address of Donner's house there though.'

'No problem,' he said. 'Harvey and I will drive down overnight. We'll find it.' He hesitated. 'Is anything wrong? What made you change your mind?'

'Richard's dead,' she said. 'Killed in action. It's got to stop, Tony, for everyone's sake. Too many dead already.'

'Oh, my God,' Villiers said and she put down the phone.

* * *

Ferguson sighed. 'A remarkable girl.'

Harry Fox said, 'She won't pull out?'

'No.'

'How did she take it?'

'How the hell do I know, Harry. The important thing is how long she can hold herself together.'

* * *

When Montera reached the door, it was standing slightly ajar. He closed it and went into the sitting room.

'Gabrielle?'

'In here.'

She was lying in bed in the darkness. He reached for the switch and she said quickly, 'No, Raul, don't turn on the light.'

He sat on the edge of the bed and there was concern in his voice. 'Look, my love, if you're not well, I can go. No trouble.'

'No.' She reached for him. 'Don't leave me. I want you here in bed with me.'

He undressed, dropping his clothes on a chair, and slipped in beside her. She turned into him, arms sliding about his neck and suddenly, like a dam bursting, all the pain, all the anguish, flowed out of her and she started to cry, slow, bitter tears.

'What is it?' he asked.

'Nothing, Raul. Don't say anything. Just hold me.'

He soothed her then, his lips on her forehead, as one might soothe a child and after a while, she slept.

13

Villiers and Jackson had driven down from Paris overnight through Orleans and Tours to Nantes from where they had turned south. It was still early, only eight o'clock, when they finally found Lancy. Jackson slowed the Citroen as they came to the perimeter fence. He coasted along past the main gate which was padlocked and then picked up speed and drove on, turning into some trees round a bend in the road.

They walked back through the trees and looked down at the airfield. 'Old wartime station from the look of things,' Villiers said.

'And no sign of any life.' Jackson shivered. 'I hate places like that. Too many good men gone.'

Villiers nodded. 'I know what you mean.' He looked up at the grey sky which threatened rain. 'Let's hope the weather doesn't give our friends problems getting in.'

Jackson said, 'What do we do now?'

'We'll go into this place St Martin. See if we can find where Donner's house is.'

They turned and went