Topaz - Leon Uris [119]
Yet Devereaux could have been a victim to a master conspiracy. Brune’s logic was sound. Furthermore, it smelled of the kind of shady American dealings France had suspected since World War II.
After the missile crisis simmered down, Washington and Moscow would establish a hot line. This direct, unusual communication would certainly be interpreted as an understanding between the Soviets and Americans about their respective spheres of domination, relegating France to secondary status.
Coincidentally with the missile crisis, both countries could increase their military expenditures. They would then be in a position to increase their domination over their allies.
By deliberately involving a French Intelligence officer of Devereaux’s stature they could force France to follow American policy without protest or consultation.
And could he be sure the British were not plotting with the Americans to see France diminished?
France had been shut out of German-American talks. And now France would be totally bypassed by the Moscow-Washington hot line.
As a result of the “missile crisis,” the Americans could assert an even fuller domination of NATO.
So the giant powers had played out a charade to thwart France of her true destiny as the leader of Europe.
But even if the SDECE report was wrong, the end result was the same. America would emerge more powerful than ever. In the mind of Pierre La Croix, it only furthered his obsession to break Anglo-American control of Europe.
7
COLONEL BRUNE PACED HIS high-ceilinged office in the converted barracks building on Boulevard Mortier that housed the SDECE. He stopped for a moment at the window and glared down on the courtyard, then returned to his desk.
Brune snatched up the weekly newspaper, Moniteur. It was filled with the usual anti-La Croix tripe. But the column by François Picard was encircled in red.
There is a strange smell on Boulevard Mortier. Rumors which will be confirmed soon reek of a scandal brewing inside the SDECE. It has long been known that the French Secret Service is rotted from within. So bad are its leaks that few of France’s allies dare to share secrets with her anymore. But then, our President does not want allies ....
Brune flung the paper down angrily. Obviously the information had come to Picard from Devereaux in a play to discredit him. Since the Topaz letter from the American President he, Brune, a chief of the service, had been under watch like a common spy.
He sat down, looked at the column once more, then lifted his interoffice phone. “Send Ferdinand Fauchet to me right away,” he said.
François and Michele slept tight in each others arms. The phone rang. François yawned to wakefulness and groped for the instrument. “Hello,” he said sleepily.
“Hello. I am calling for Monsieur Devereaux. He was working late and just left headquarters and said Michele might be with you.”
“She’s here. Do you wish to speak to her?”
“No. It is not necessary. Monsieur Devereaux asked me to phone and tell her to come home immediately.”
“Is anything wrong?”
“He didn’t say, but he did seem rather urgent.”
“Yes, I’ll have her come home.”
Michele insisted François stay where he was, that it was not necessary for him to drive her to the apartment. He gave in, and when they kissed good-bye it was past midnight.
Ferdinand Fauchet, parked across the street, watched her leave the building, get in Picard’s car, and drive off. When she was out of sight, Fauchet nodded to four waiting thugs. They entered Picard’s building.
François was about to turn off the light when the knock came at the door. He padded over to it unsuspectingly, certain that Michele had forgotten the car keys.
He opened the door. Two blows from blackjacks hit him at once in the mouth and