Exocet - Jack Higgins [61]
'Daniel in the lion's den?' Jackson commented.
'Well, you never know. Comforting to have an ace in the hole. I'll see you later. Be good.'
He went out, got into the Citroen and drove away. Jackson poured himself another cup of coffee and reached over to switch on the radio. There was a sudden cool breeze on the back of his neck as if a door had opened. He turned quickly and Yanni Stavrou stepped in, a gun in one hand, two of Roux's recruits standing behind him.
* * *
Beyond the French windows the beech trees above the lawn were cut out of black cardboard against a sky that was touched with vivid orange. Inside it was warm and comfortable.
Gabrielle wore her yellow jump suit; Montera, jeans and a blue flannel shirt. Donner's concession to informality was to wear a mohair pullover instead of a jacket.
He glanced out of one of the French windows before closing it. 'We could have weather trouble tomorrow.'
'Let's hope not,' Montera replied. 'That was an excellent dinner, by the way.'
'That's Wanda's department, not mine. She does all right when she tries.'
The condescension was plain. Gabrielle said, 'It was more than all right. It was superb. I'd say she has real flair.'
'Don't tell her that, for God's sake. She won't be fit to live with.'
Wanda entered at that moment with a tray. She was the most dressed-up person there and wore a two piece trouser evening suit in black velvet.
She'd brought tea for Montera and Gabrielle. Donner said, 'You are trying, aren't you, but what about Mr O'Hagan here? All Irishmen drink tea, isn't that true, O'Hagan?'
'Oh, I don't know,' Villiers said brightly. 'I like a cup of coffee myself.'
The girl's hand was shaking as she passed him the cup and Gabrielle, angry again, turned to Montera. 'I feel like a little air. Shall we take a walk?'
'Why not?'
He opened a French window and they went out.
Donner said, 'A handsome couple, wouldn't you say?'
Villiers managed to look mildly surprised. 'Yes, I suppose so.'
'Tell me, what do you do for a living, Mr O'Hagan?'
'I'm a sales engineer. Oil pumps, mainly.'
'That must be a good line these days, what with North Sea oil.'
'Oh, yes.' Villiers glanced at his watch. 'It's really been wonderful, but I'm afraid I'll have to be going. We have an early start tomorrow.'
'What a shame. Still, it's been nice having you.' Donner walked through to the front door with him and opened it. 'I'd like to thank you again for what you did. I sent my man Stavrou along to sort that gypsy out earlier this evening, but by the time he'd reached the encampment, they'd all cleared off.'
They shook hands and Villiers went down the steps. Donner went back to the sitting room.
Wanda said, 'Can I get you anything?'
'No,' he said. 'Go to bed.'
'But it's early, Felix.'
He shook his head. 'You never learn, do you?' He ran the back of his hand down her face and she shrank back as if expecting a blow. 'That's right,' he said. 'Do as you're told and go to bed.'
Stavrou came into the room as Wanda went out. Donner asked, 'Is the car ready?'
'Yes.'
Donner went to the open French window. He could see the glowing end of Montera's cigarette on the other side of the lawn where he and Gabrielle talked.
'Heh, you two. I've got to go out for a little while. Help yourself to drinks, okay?' He turned back into the room, said to Stavrou, 'All right, let's get moving,' and led the Way out quickly.
* * *
Montera smoked his cigarette and leaned on the balustrade beside her. 'I seem to have done nothing but talk about my mother and my daughter. You must be bored.'
'But they're part of you, Raul. I want to know these things. They're important.'
'Yes,' he said. 'Life is nothing without roots, that's true, isn't it? We all need a place to rest our heads from time to time. A place where we can be certain of perfect understanding.'
'I wish to God