Part 13 (2/2)

'Certainly. I have no reason to disbelieve it.'

'But aerial photographs How could that be possible?' 'It would be all too simple, I'm afraid. There would be any amount of helicopters buzzing about there this morning. An extra one wouldn't be noticed especially if, as is highly likely, it was carrying some official markings.'

'What was the reason behind this pointless and idiotic exercise. 'It was far from being idiotic and very much to the point. just in case we missed the point they spelt it out very clearly. They said that in the s.p.a.ce of twenty-four hours they had reduced the country, most especially the authorities, to a state of frustrated helplessness. The so-called authorities - they had a number of cynical and very unpleasant remarks to make about the government, the police, the army and those whose duty it was to look after the safety and welfare of d.y.k.es, locks, weirs, sluices, dams and I forget what else - were totally powerless to do anything to stop them. AD they had to do, they said, was to stop at home, stick a pin into a map, phone the papers, sit back and never go within a hundred kilometres but still guarantee that the law, the army, the repair and rescue teams would be out in full force. It was, they said, both an entertaining and gratifying situation. One can readily understand why they feel that way.'

'And not a word about their purposes, no hint as to what lies behind it all?'

'No hint, but a suggestion that we might soon know what their demands are going to be. They didn't use the word ”demands” but they can have meant nothing else. Tomorrow, they said, they were going to flood a really large area of the country and after that they would probably have talks with the government. Can you imagine? The sheer cold arrogance of it all. They speak as if they are an independent sovereign state. Next, one supposes, they'll be calling for an open debate in the UNO.' He glanced at his watch. 'Plenty of time. Two minutes to remove this outfit - no was.h.i.+ng or soaking required - and five minutes to put on my Hunter's Horn uniform. I suggest coffee.'

She put a hand on his arm. 'You really are going there, aren't you, Peter.' 'Of course. I've said so. Somebody has to and as I am the only person who's been in contact with them, it has to be me. How else do you think the law would ever get anywhere unless it's prepared, just once in a while, to take the initiative?'

'I wish you weren't going. I feel certain something is going to happen. Something awful. You could be hurt, even killed, or, maybe even worse, crippled for life. You know what they d:d to those two men. Oh Peter!' She was silent for a moment, then said.: 'If I were your wife, I'd stop you.' 'How?'

'I don't know,' she said miserably. 'Appeal to your better nature, love for me, something like, ”For my sake, if you care about me, please don't go.” Something clever like that,' she said bitterly.

'Well, you're not my wife, and, even if you were, I'd still go. I'm sorry that sounds hard and selfish and cruel, but it's my job and I have to go.' He put his hand on her arm. 'You're a very kind girl and I do appreciate your concern.'

'Kind? Concern?' She caught his wrist and gently removed his hand from her arm. 'Concern!'

'Annemarie!' Van Effen's surprise was genuine. 'What on earth's wrong.' 'Nothing. just nothing.'

Van Effen gazed ahead for some moments, sighed and said: 'I don't think I'll ever understand women.'

'I don't think so either.' She seemed to hesitate, then said: 'I don't much fancy going to a coffee-shop.'

'If you wish we won't. But why not?'

'I don't much care for wearing this face in public. Where there are decent people around. It doesn't matter back there. And I don't think you are particularly keen on being seen among the same public with a freak like me.'

'I know what lies behind the war paint so it doesn't matter to me.' He paused. 'Maybe I don't know anything about women but I always know when they're telling fibs.'

'I'm telling fibs?'

'Of course you are.'

'Well, yes, I am. Can't we have coffee at Julie's place. It's only another five minutes.'

'Sure. Time I have. I know you're very fond of Julie. But are you also worried about her?'

'I think she's worried about me. Even though she knew you would be there she didn't like the idea of my going back to that place.' 'You didn't answer my question. You're not, perhaps - well, just a little bit worried about her?' She remained silent.

'The Annecy brothers. Would you believe, I've never even seen either of them? I regard them as a fairly distant menace.'

'The menace I'm thinking of is a great deal nearer to home. Well, not menace. Problem, rather.'

'This is something new on me. A bagatelle, whatever it is. Give me the name of this person or problem and I'll attend to it.' 'Indeed, Lieutenant.' Something in the tone of her voice caught van Effen's attention and he gave her a long speculative look. 'And how do you attend to this bagatelle, when the bagatelle in question is yourself?'

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