Topaz - Leon Uris [133]
“André, for God’s sake, don’t go through with this.”
“It’s not for God’s sake, it’s for France’s sake. Will you get my letter into the hands of the President?”
“Yes, I promise.”
“Now, what about Michele? Did you see her in Montrichard?”
“Yes. She’s headed to the Spanish frontier. More than likely she’s made it over to Spain by now. She’ll be waiting at the town you said. From there, you’ve got your fifty-fifty chance to make the break for Mexico or South America. You know those places better than anyone.”
“Good. Well, at least Michele didn’t have to walk over the mountains as we did, eh, Robert?”
“You mean as I was carried. It’s hard for a squalid lump like me to understand, but I guess I always knew you wouldn’t back down.”
“Don’t berate yourself, Robert. You’ve been a loyal friend.”
“André ...”
“Yes?”
“Nicole went to Spain also. When I saw her she said, ‘I beg André not to turn me away.’ ”
“Nicole? Well, we started in Spain. But can two people so scarred by each other’s wounds really start over?”
“Somehow, it might work.”
“Does she know about Juanita?”
“Yes. She said you’ll need her more than ever now.”
“Robert. I won’t delude myself into believing a miracle is about to take place. She may think she found answers in the quiet of her room. It is something else to come out into the world and put those answers to work. When the pressure comes, all of us revert to what we are. People rarely change, except to go downhill.”
“Then, you are going to turn her away?”
“Nicole and I still have a power to reach each other, to hurt each other and to thrill each other. In the end the things we have may have to be enough. I won’t know until I see her again ... or if I ever will.”
André shook Robert’s hand and gave him a “chin up” smack on the shoulder, got into his car, backed out and drove away. Robert Proust watched him disappear knowing he would never see him again.
20
JACQUES GRANVILLE’S COUNTRY ESTATE in Normandy consisted of thirty-six rooms showing exquisite taste and set in a private forest and hunting grounds. Paulette received a raised eyebrow from her husband to indicate he wished to chat alone with André. She retreated from the paneled study.
Jacques made to a portable bar near his desk and produced a bottle of bourbon. “How’s that?”
“You remember my weakness,” André said.
They saluted with raised glasses. “When do you return to Washington?” Jacques asked.
“I expect to be traveling very soon.”
“I’m glad we were able to have this weekend together. You know I moved heaven and earth to open up the New Zealand Embassy post for you. I was simply overruled. Everyone thinks you’re too valuable in Washington. Christ, André, I can still get the post if you’ll consider it and back me.”
“You’ve had my answer on that. I’m not going to New Zealand.”
“I’m only trying to help you,” Jacques said. “I know what an ordeal these past weeks have been and how hurt you are. But you’ve got to look at the broad concept, the big canvas. Pierre La Croix is right. At least for France he’s right. We’re not the kind of people to be dominated or even led by outsiders. I have no vendetta against the Americans and I can’t share all this violent anti-American opinion but we have the right to make our own mistakes. Now with this new section on scientific intelligence, try to send back some good information.”
“I’ll try my best, as always.”
“And ease up. You’ll have an expanded staff. Give them more of the work load. With Cuba off limits for you, you are in a position to take life easier.”
“I suppose I am tired.”
“Queer breed, you intelligence people. I often wondered why you and Robert stayed in this business after the war.”
“For Robert, it was a way to make a living. Most of the people in most of