Part 15 (1/2)
17 - Busman's Honeymoon
”You're all aware,” he started without prea anyone a chance to relax ”You're all aware that Max Tarn has known our every move since before the start of this business”
There was a silent nodding of heads, and he noticed Coh his face was flushed with anger
”The police have worked in tandem with the Security Service, while the Minister controlled every action h hi law enforce before we even started to take hiot aith aent in the field In so as a puppet master He's led Fraulein von Grusse andus into places where he wanted us to be In fact, we're very lucky to be alive I believe it's possible that he wants to make an example of Flicka and ent ould like people to believe I'm pretty certain, now, that I know exactly where he is, or at least where he will be within a few days All I need is The Committee's permission to take certain actions
”Within a short time, Tarn will be on the island of Puerto Rico,” he finally declared ”Through this entire business, he has dropped hints which have put us exactly where he wanted us I think it follows that he will be expecting me, at least, to be in Puerto Rico either just before or just after him I believe he has chosen that island as the site for the final - what can I call it? - final shon? Also some form of demonstration Max von Tarn is amoderately respectable before he announces his bid for political leadershi+p of a new National Socialist Party in Germany At the same time the world will be told that he has renounced his British citizenshi+p and returned to his rightful place as a German In simple terms, I need your permission for Fraulein von Grusse and myself to be there I know you'll say, why put ourselves in obvious danger?”
”Yes, why, Captain Bond?” Their new Chairan to sound very reserved ”There is a technical point here, though If Tarn has already reclaiht well be out of our court”
”His lawyers, who seem to be mainly concerned in property matters, are the only people who know that - apart from the German authorities and h his mind and kneas a technicality that the bureaucrats could argue about for nore the change in citizenshi+p, unless Tarn makes some early announcement”
”Well, possibly” Lord Harvey was obviously well versed in the tangled niceties of this kind of thing ”However, I did ask you why you required peran as a relatively siuilty of certain acts of fraud, and possible illegal ar, has become a personal vendetta between the two of us”
The Chair nobody in doubt that he also carried a big stick ”I thought that went against all the tenets of your Service, Bond You should never make any operation personal It's the is that keeps you distanced, allows you to act only for your country, and remain detached fro, sir Also, there are et close up and personal, as our A of our American cousins,” Bill Tanner spoke quietly ”If you're sent off to the Caribbean to operate in Puerto Rico, then the Americans will have to sanction this as well as The Committee”
”Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the United States” There was a trace of irritation in Bond's voice ”At their last referendum they refused to join the United States with full status”
”That doesn't ” Lord Harvey was no fool ”What you appear to be asking ive The Yanks've turned us down before They have the right to ask for coo after the party, or parties, concerned using their own agencies on their own turf, so to speak”
”And you won't consider turning a blind eye?”
”How could we, and where's your solid evidence regarding Tarn and Puerto Rico?”
”You can probably get that in twenty al aspects of this case, in Bedford Square They can probably track down evidence that either Tarn himself or Tarn International owns property in Puerto Rico damn it all, his container shi+ps are in and out of there all the tiularly; he has friends in h places and they turn a blind eye to what he's doing I think it's the least you can do”
”This Committee cannot do that, Captain Bond We're accountable We're the ones who'll end up with e” Harvey s, ”Sorry old boy, but it's out of the question Nothing personal”
”Again, with respect, sir, I'm the one who could well end up without his life”
”Add me to that” So far, Flicka had stayed silent ”You do realize what's going to happen if soo after Tarn from here? If we don't take coet aith it Everyone will turn a blind eye, including the Americans Our so-called civilization will be the loser, Tarn will ees I have respect for our American allies, but even if they did take over, even if Tarn were arrested, we'd still be haggling over hi on his own pile of wealth and possibly the power of the Chancellorshi+p of Germany The fact that several thousand deaths will lie at his door won't even cross his mind Only Tarn will be the winner”
”Maybe” Thickness, of the Security Service, spoke for the first tiht Puerto Rico is not in The Co you go, the Aoing to take ry This is what happens when you allow a series of cohtened politicians to take over ”Next thing, you'll be saying that perranted by the EEC”
”Could very well be,” muttered the Chairs with the Aencies and their law enforceo and deal with the business?”
”I see no other way”
”Look, James” Bill Tanner used his most conciliatory voice ”There is a way What if we proive you an answer in, say, a week's time? You could take seven days' leave and just wait it out I don't suppose a week's going to make any difference, is it?”
The look that passed between the Chief of Staff and Bond spoke voluht of the Cold War, their old Chief, M, had got around red tape by siet on and do it, in his own ti tied hand and foot by the sa his own position on the line
Bond opened his ht better of it Finally he said, ”Bill, you're right, of course Just as The Coht Fredericka and I cannot expect any of you to put yourselves in jeopardy over this, and a week probably won't ht we have a week's leave while you sort matters out with the American services?”
”Granted” Lord Harvey looked relieved ”Get a good rest, Captain Bond, and leave us a number where we can contact you - and Fraulein von Grusse as well, of course”
”How?” Flicka asked when they were settled in the car
”How?” he parroted ”How d'you think, Flick? We just go and do it”
”So where do we go first?”
”Get soo for a sick visit We see M, because if we don't there'll be one hell of a stink I have to let his over which he still has control”
They stopped for lunch on the way to the M4 and, eventually, Quarterdeck
Halfway through the meal, she leaned over and took one of his hands in both of hers ”Ja,” she spoke in almost a whisper, ”I love you as I've loved no other man I took your side in there with those idiots ould see the whole of Europe down the drain rather than compromise themselves”
”They don't mean to be like that, Fredericka I'm sure that in about five days they'll have it all sorted out Deep down they know I' responsible for intelligence and security that bothers me, and in five days it will al, James,” she persisted ”I feel like you, and I'll do whatever you say Tarn has got to be brought down, but please don't feel it's necessary to take huge risks simply because you've had to act over a matter of principle I'll stand by you all the way, but you can back down if you feel it's wiser You certainly won't lose face in ht for a few seconds Then: ”Flick, I truly mean this I'll be honest with you We could both quite easily die e get close to Max Tarn again, but I have to try and topple the h place without people like him who make it even ot going out there in the Caribbean, and it could be so more horrific than either of us could dream about No, I couldn't sleep peacefully in et hi with me In fact, I'd rather that you stayed here in the coh!” She squeezed his hand ”If you're set on going, you're not leaving here by yourself Where you go, I go, no ument he put forould be useless When Fredericka von Grusseher
They pulled off at the first service station on the M4 so that he could call Quarterdeck from a public telephone booth and comparative safety Nurse Frobisher sounded quite excited at the news he was co to visit the Ad a lady friend
M, still propped up in his sickbed, seehted to see both of them, and after a little small talk asked the reason for their visit ”I don't believe that you would both come down here just to see an old and sick man”
”I think you already knoe're here, sir I'd be surprised if The Committee has not already told you, via Bill Tanner runted ”Well, Tanner did telephone me Said The Committee had turned down a request from you, or so about”
”Then the conversation we're about to have has never taken place, if you follow me, sir”