Vandarn crossed the room to the drinks cupboard and found the gin. “A major in Intelligence has disappearedalong with a briefcase f ull of secrets.” “Wolff?” “Could be. It turns out that this major has been disappearing at lunchtime, a couple of times a week, and nobody knows where he’s been going. I’ve a hunch that he might have been meeting Wolff.” “So why would he disappear?” Vandam shrugged. “Something went wrong.” “What was in his briefcase today?” Vandant wondered how much to tell her. “A rundown of our defenses which was so complete that we think it could alter the result of the next battle.” Smith had also been in possession of Vandam’s proposed deception plan, but Vandam did not tell Elene this: he trusted her all the way, but he also had security instincts. He finished: “So, we’d better catch Wolff tonight.” “But it might be too late already!” “No. We found the decrypt of one of Wolfrs signals, a while back. It was timed at midnight. Spies have a set time for reporting, generally the same time every day. At other times their masters won’t be listening-at least, not on the right wavelength–so even if they do signal nobody picks it up. Tberefore, I think Wolff will send this information tonight at midnight-unless I catch him first.” He hesitated, then changed his mind about security and decided she ought to know the full importance of what she was doing. “T’here’s something else. He’s using a code based on a novel called Rebecca. I’ve got a copy of the novel. If I can get the key to the code-” “What’s that?” “Just a piece of paper telling him how to use the book to encode signals.” “Go on.” “If I can get the key to the Rebecca code, I can impersonate Wolff over the radio and send false information to Rommel. It could turn the tables completely-it could save Egypt. But I must have the key.” “All right. What’s tonight’s plan?” THE KEY TO REBECCA 251
“It’s the same as before, only more so. I’ll be in the restaurant with Jakes, and we’ll both have pistols.” Her eyes, widened. “You’ve got a gun?” “I haven’t got it now. Jakes is bringing it to the restaurant. Anyway, there will be two other men in the restaurant, and six more outside on the pavement, trying to look inconspicuous. There will also be civilian cars ready to block all exits from the street at the sound of a whistle. No matter what Wolff does tonight, if he wants to see you he’s going to be caught.” There was a knock at the apartment door. Vandam said: “What’s that?” “The door-” “Yes, I know, are you expecting someone? Or something?” “No, of course not, it’s almost time for me to leave.” Vandaw. frowned. Alarm bells were sounding. “I don’t like this. Don’t answer.” “All right,” Elene said. Then she changed her mind. “I have to answer. It might be my father. Or news of him.” “Okay, answer it.” Elene went out of the living room. Vandarn sat listening. The knock came again, then she opened the door. Vandarn heard her say: “Alex!” Vandam whispered: “Christ!” He heard Wolff’s voice. “You’re all ready. How delightful.” It was a deep, confident voice, the drawled English spoken with only the faintest trace of an unidentifiable accent. Elene said: “Of course.. .” “I know. May I come in?” Vandary; leaped over the back of the sofa and lay on the floor behind it. “Elene said: “Of course Wolff’s voice came closer. “My dear, you look exquisite tonight.” Vandarn thought: Smooth bastard. The front door slammed shut. Wolff said: “This way?” “Urn … Yes . . .” Vandarn heard the two of them enter the room. Wolff said: “What a lovely apartment. Mikis Aristopoulos, must pay you well.” 252 Ken Follett
“Oh, I don’t work there regularly. He’s a distant relation, it’s family, I help out.” “Uncle. He must be your uncle.” “Oh . . . great-uncle, second cousin, something. He calls me his niece for simplicity.” “Well. These are for you.” “Oh, flowers. Thank you.” Vandam. thought: Fuck that. Wolff said: “May I sit down?” “Of course.” Vandam felt the sofa shift as Wolff lowered his weight onto it. Wolff was a big man. Vandarn remembered grappling with him in the alley. He also remembered the knife, and his hand went to the wound on his cheek. He thought: What can I do? He could jump Wolff now. The spy was here, practically in his hands! They were about the same weight, and evenly matched-except for the knife. Wolff had had the knife that night when he had been dining with Sonja, so presumably he took it everywhere with him, and had it now. If they fought, and Wolff had the advantage of the knife, Wolff would win. It had happened before, in the alley. Vandam touched his cheek again. He thought: Why didn’t I bring the gun here? If they fought, and Wolff won, what would happen then? Seeing Vandarn in Elene’s apartment, Wolff would know she had been trying to trap him. What would he do to her? In Istanbul, in a similar situation, he had slit the girl’s throat. Vandam blinked to shut out the awful image. Wolff said: “I see you were having a drink before I arrived. May I join you?” “Of course,” Elene said again. “What would you like?” “What’s that?” Wolff sniffed. “Oh, a little gin would be very nice.” Vandam. thought: That was my drink. Thank God Elene didn’t have a drink as well-two glasses would have given the game away. He heard ice clink. “Cheers!” Wolff said. “Cheers.” “You don’t seem to like it” “The ice has melted.” THE KEY TO REBECCA 253