water, will you?” He began to wash the river mud off his legs. “You’ll have to use your own money,” she said. “I can’t get at it. You can be sure the bank has instructions to call the police the moment I show my face. I could pay the occasional bill by check, but even that might help them get a line on me. I could sell some of my stocks and shares, or even the villa, but there again the money has to come through a bank.. .” So you will have to use my money, Sonja thought. You won’t ask, though: you’ll just take it. She filed the thought for further consideration. “That detective is putting a watch on the boat-on Vandam’s instructions.” WoIff grinned. “So it was Vandam.” “Did you cut him?” “Yes, but I wasn’t sure where. It was dark.” “The face. He had a huge bandage.” Wolff laughed aloud. “I wish I could see him.” He became sober, and asked: “Did he question you?” “Yes.” “What did you tell him?” “nat I hardly knew you.” “Good girl.” He looked at her appraisingly, and she knew that he was pleased, and a little surprised, that she had kept her head. He said: “Did he believe you?” “Presumably not, since he ordered this surveillance.” Wolff frowned. “nat’s going to be awkward. I can’t swirn the river every time I want to come home . . “Don’t worry,” Sonja said. “I’ve fixed it.” “You fixed it?” It was not quite so, Sonja knew, but it sounded good. ‘The detective is one of us,” she explained. “A nationalist?” “Yes. He wants to use your radio.” “How does he know I’ve got one?” IMere was a threaten. ing note in Wolff’s voice. “He doesn’t,” Sonja said calmly. “From what the British have told him he deduces that you’re a spy; and he presumes a spy has a means of communicating with the Germans. The nationalists want to send a message to Rommel.” Wolff shook his head. “I’d rather not get involved.” TIM KEY TO REBECCA 181
She would not have him go back on a bargain she had made. “You’ve got to get involved,” she said sharply. “I suppose I do,” he said wearily. She felt an odd sense of power. It was as if she were taking control. She found it exhilarating. Wolff said: ‘They’re closing in. I don’t want any more surprises like last night. I’d like to leave this boat, but I don’t know where to go. Abdullah knows my money’s no goodhe’d like to turn me over to the British. Damn.” “You’ll be safe here, while you string the detective along.” “I haven’t any choice.” She sat on the edge of the bathtub, looking at his naked body. He seemed … not defeated, but at least cornered. His face was lined with tension, and there was in his voice a faint note of panic. She guessed that for the first time he was wondering whether he could bold out until Rommel arrived. And, also for the first time, he was dependent on her. He needed her money, he needed her home. Last night he had depended on her silence under interrogation, and-he now believedhe had been saved by her deal with the nationalist detective. He was slipping into her power. The thought intrigued her. She felt a little horny. Wolff said: “I wonder if I should keep my date with that girl, Elene, tonight.” “Why not? Shes nothing to do with the British. You picked her up in a shop!” “Maybe. I just feel it might be safer to lie low. I don’t know.$, “No,” said Sonia firmly. “I want her.” He looked up at her through narrowed eyes. She wondered whether be was considering the issue or thinking about her newfound strength of will. “All right,” he said finally. “I’ll just have to take precautions.” He had given in. She had tested her strength against his, and she had won. It gave her a kind of thrill. She shivered. “I’m still cold,” Wolf said. “Put some more hot water in.” “No.” Without removing her nightdress, Sonja got into the bath. She knelt astride him, facing him, her knees jammed against the sides of the narrow tub. She lifted the wet hem of the nightdress to the level of her waist. She said: “Eat me.” He did. 182 Ken Follett