kitchens of Shepheard’s. This might not be easy, for of course no one would admit that staff slept on the kitchen floorindeed Wolff was not at all sure it was true-but he had to reckon on Abdullah discovering the lie sooner or later. The story was no more than a delaying tactic; so was the bribe. However, when at last Abdullah found out that Wolff was living on Sonja’s houseboat, he would probably come to Wolff for more money instead of going to Vandam. The situation was under control-for the moment. Webb left a few milli6mes on the table and went out. The city had come to life. The streets were already jammed with traffic, the pavements crowded with vendors and beggars, the air full of good and bad smells. Wolff made his way to the central post office to use a telephone. He called GHQ and asked for Major Smith. “We have seventeen of them,” the operator told him. “Have you got a first name?” “Sandy.,, “That will be Major Alexander Smith. He’s not here at the moment. May I take a messageT’ Wolff had known the major would not be at GHQ-it was too early. “The message is: Twelve noon today at Zamalek. Would you sign it: S. Have you got that?” “Yes, but if I may have your full-” Wolff hung up. He left the post office and headed for Zamalck. Since Sonja had seduced Smith, the major had sent her a dozen roses, a box of chocolates, a love letter and two handdelivered messages asking for another date. Wolff had forbidden her to reply. By now Smith was wondering whether he would ever see her again. Wolff was quite sure that Sonja was the first beautiful woman Smith had ever slept with. After a couple of days of suspense Smith would be desperate to see her again, and would jump at any chance. On the way home Wolff bought a newspaper, but it was full of the usual rubbish. When he got to the houseboat Sonja was still asleep. He threw the rolled-up newspaper at her to wake her. She groaned and turned over. Wolff left her and went through the curtains back into the living room. At the far end, in the prow of the boat, was a tiny open kitchen. It had one quite large cupboard for 116 Ken Follett
brooms and cleaning materials. Wolff opened the cupboard door. He could just about get inside if he bent his knees and ducked his head. The catch of the door could be worked only from the outside. He searched through the kitchen drawers and found a knife with a pliable blade. He thought he could probably work the catch from inside the cupboard by sticking the knife through the crack of the door and –asing it against the spring-loaded bolt. He got into the cupboard, closed the door and tried it. it worked. However, he could not see through the doorjamb. He took a nail and a flatiron and banged the nail through the thin wood of the door at eye level. He used a kitchen fork to enlarge the hole. He got inside the cupboard again and closed the door. He put his eye to the bole. He saw the curtains part, and Sonja came into the living room. She looked around, surprised that he was not there. She shrugged, then lifted her nightdress and scratched her belly. Wolff suppressed a laugh. She came across to the kitchen, picked up the kettle and turned on the tap. Wolff slipped the knife into the crack of the door and worked the catch. He opened the door, stepped out and said: “Good morning.” Sonja screamed. Wolff laughed. She threw the kettle at him, and he dodged. He said: “It’s a good hiding place, isn’t it?” “You terrified me, you bastard,” she said. He picked up the kettle and handed it to her. “Make the coffee,” he told her. He put the knife in the cupboard, closed the door and went to sit down. Sonja said: “What do you need a hiding place for?” “To watch you and Major Smith. It’s very funny-he looks like a passionate turtle.” “When is he coming?” “Twelve noon today.” “Oh, no. Why so early in the morning?” “Listen. If he’s got anything worthwhile in that briefcase, then he certainly isn’t allowed to go wandering around the city with it in his hand. He should take it straight to his office and lock it in the safe. We mustn’t give him time to do that-the whole thing is useless unless he brings his case here. TBE KEY TO REBECCA 117