“All right, all right! I’ll talk to her. For the project, mind. And for the King, of course.”
“Naturally.”
“How am I supposed to convince her the launch has nothing to do with Mars? I can’t show her secret files.”
“No, you can’t. You must convince her that the Imperial Republic of Poland has embarked on the exploration of space for the good of all mankind and nothing more, and that we have no intention of deviating from that principle with this launch. Our very strength renders this unnecessary. Just show her the truth, Michael
—in a circumspect fashion, of course.
“Consider yourself fortunate. You have only a slightly hysterical young lady to convince, while I am forced to contend with high-pressure Hartford and his horde of foggy-headed foggy bottoms. I’d trade with you anytime.”
Michael sighed. “Where do I meet her, and when?” “We’ll set up something on the grounds of the American Embassy.” Longin’s expression took on overtones of disgust. “She’s convinced if she leaves it she’ll be cut down in the streets. Does she think Warsaw is Chicago?”
168
Polonaise
As arranged, she was waiting for him by the Japanese pool in the Embassy garden. The bull-necked Marine at the gate eyed him hostilely, but passed him through. As requested, there was no one with her.
No doubt she was bugged from head to foot, while he was probably walking under the gaze of half a dozen sharpshooters. His neck itched. This wasn’t his line at all.
Michael was less concerned with the bugs, since he packed enough antibugging equipment inside his jacket to electronically fumigate a skyscraper. Hopefully their would-be listeners wouldn’t interfere, trusting in Dana to report to them later.