Debut for a Spy (28 page)

“Perhaps because she was the first,” he said, “but she seems to be more responsive – a very friendly airplane. XP836, the second prototype, was a beast. You fought her all the time. The only good thing about my crash last December was that it was 836 and not 831. 972 here is not too bad, but not the lady that 831 is.”

He continued with my familiarization.

“The undercarriage on the P1127 is very different. The main wheels are on a common axle through a single leg, amidships and behind the center of gravity. The nose wheel is amidships and forward of the CG. This 'zero-track tricycle' might take the weight of the aircraft, but it did nothing for lateral stability on the ground. To achieve this, folding 'outriggers' were placed on the wing-tips.

“
At first they had castered wheels on the outriggers, but the shimmy created by the castering sometimes caused them to snap. Now the wheels are rigid with a shear pin in place, and they work well,” commented Bill. “When you're taxiing, you have to tap the pedals to change the nose wheel direction rather than use continuous pressure.”

Bill went on to explain that lessening the weight was the main reason for this unusual undercarriage, and gave me advice on controlling the aircraft while taxiing. Just before I climbed in, 831 did a conventional take-off from the main runway with Stavic at the controls. He was off the ground in very little distance.

“How did he get up so quickly, Bill?”

“
He rotated the nozzles downward about 50 degrees after reaching 100 knots. The wing lift plus the jet lift at that speed gives you a very short take-off. Right. In you go.”

For most of the morning I taxied 972 up and down the southeast runway, achieving greater speeds while learning how to control the nose wheel. Eventually I was lifting off, then setting down immediately, gradually getting the feel of the bird. With barely 1200 feet of runway there wasn't much room to spare for this maneuver, and once I nearly ended up in a copse at the south end of the runway. I streamed the tail parachute just in time and stayed on the tarmac. Bill called a halt to the proceedings before noon, and we drove back to his office. As we changed we talked about the remainder of the day.

“How do you feel about really flying her this afternoon?”

“
Good, I think, but I'm not too sure about a conventional landing from flying speed and height. I worry about control in the vertical axis as speed decreases.”

“
She does have a tendency to yaw at slower speeds. I think it has something to do with the way the jet exhaust hits the tail surfaces. But you can do a conventional take-off and a vertical landing. I'd like to get you to the jet-assisted short take-off before you finish today, if we have time. That way you've experienced most of the parameters of the P1127, even if you haven't experienced the complete flight envelope.”

“
How long do visiting pilots usually spend doing the whole flight envelope?”

“
Test-pilots like our American friends stay for a month.” His eyes crinkled. “I've taken quite a few short-cuts for you.”

“
I appreciate what you've done for me, Bill. I'll go away from here with a good working knowledge of vertical flight and the P1127. I can't tell whether it will play a critical role, but at least I know what I'm looking for and how to interpret it.”

“
Let's get over to the Compasses, if you're ready.”

“
Why don't you go ahead? I have some calls I must make. I'll drive over and join you.”

“
Fine. I'll try to save you a seat, but don't count on it!”

With a wave and a grin he departed. I sat and called Marijke at the embassy. The tone of her voice told me something was wrong. It had a lifeless quality I'd never heard before.

“Oh, David. Thank you for calling. I just look at the details for tomorrow. We pick you up at 07:00am. When we reach Southampton we board. There is breakfast on the ship, if you like to wait.”

“
Did you find out about the band?”

“
Yes. It is the regular ship's band which is on this ship all of the time. They are from England. Mr. Nalishkin knew you must have a band like this, so he hires them. Is this satisfactory?”

“
I think so. How many are in the band?”

“
Five, but I do not know what instruments. I'm sorry.”

“
I can make a pretty good guess, so it doesn't matter. At least I know which arrangements to bring.”

There was silence. I didn't know what was safe on this line into the Soviet embassy, and there was so much I wanted to say.

“Are you feeling alright, Marijke? You don't sound very well. Perhaps you are getting a virus or something.”

“
I think I am just tired. I rest on the ship tomorrow.”

I chose my next words carefully.

“I'll be moving around a lot this afternoon, but if you want to reach me, I'll leave a number with Nicki. Call me if you have any free time. Okay?”

“
Yes… yes, that is fine. I see you tomorrow, David.”

I wondered if she understood. I looked up the number for the Daily Express and called through to Nicki.

“Hello, David. This is a surprise. Don't tell me. You're trying to find House. Right?”

“
Not this time Nicki.”

“
Just as well, because he's probably ogling the girls in some strip club in Soho right about now, and you'd never drag him out. What can I do for you?”

“
If Marijke calls you, will you give her this number to reach me? It's very awkward calling her at the embassy, because you can never be sure who's listening. The number is Guildford 7349.”

“
Certainly. It's no problem at all. By-the-bye, thanks for last night. You're a terrific singer. I'm thinking of letting you share my heart with Dudley.”

“
What about House?”

“
That's not one of the bits he's interested in, I'm afraid.”

I laughed.
“Nicki, can you do me one more favor?”

“
It'll cost you a song.”

“
For a place in your heart it's worth it.”

“
What do you need, love.”

“
Can you dig out a biography of Dwight Vandenberg for me?”

“
The American ambassador? Piece of cake. How soon?”

“
How about taking it home with you? I'll call when I get back to London this evening, and if it's okay I'll come and get it.”

“
That's fine. You might even see your pal. He's supposed to come by later on.”

“
Great. I'll see you then, Nicki. Thanks.”

I wanted to call Hammond, but I decided to leave the phone alone for a few minutes in case Marijke called. I stood to stretch as it rang.

“Hello?”

“
David, it's me.”

“
Where are you calling from?”

“
The ladies room in a restaurant on Kensington High Street. I know they have a phone, and I am safe to call you from here.”

“
Give me the number and I'll call you right back. Otherwise you'll have to keep putting coins in.”

“
It's fine. Kensington 3362.”

“
Don't go away.”

“
I don't.”

I waited a few seconds and put the call through. Marijke answered on the first ring.

“David?”

“
Yes. I was afraid to talk to you at the embassy. I didn't know what to say. I thought someone might be listening.”

“
Today they monitor all calls. Something goes very wrong last night. They are very angry.”

“
I know all about it. Are you in any kind of trouble? Do they suspect you?”

“
No, I don't think so. The one who brags to me is too stupid to know I understand what he tells me. He thinks I am only a woman, and women have no brains. They are only for sleeping with.”

“
Then what's wrong, Marijke? I felt it last night – I felt it this morning – I felt it when I called you just now. Have I done something wrong?”

“
No, David. It is because of me, because of my life. It never matters to me before what I do and what happens to me. I had a mission – a duty – and that is all that mattered. Now I meet you. And this makes me hate what I do. But it is too late to stop.”

She fought to control the emotion.

“It can't be too late, Marijke. There are ways, believe me! We will talk about it on the ship! Can't you get out of this meeting tonight?”

Her control disintegrated, her voice trembled – she was on the verge of tears.

“No. I cannot. I cause much trouble. Much trouble. And not for me. For others. I let them down. I have no choice. I don't can change it. I am trapped.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper.
“And now I hate what I do, and I hate what I am.”

I hesitated.
“Marijke,” I said softly, “Perhaps I can help.”

“
No. You don't can understand. There is much about Soviet Union not for explanation. Some things have roots deep into the earth, and we are born to follow a tradition which places everything above one person. We have worth only because we serve this purpose, and we bring honor to our family when we sacrifice ourselves. And it remains secret, or it destroys us.”

“
I don't understand, Marijke. Surely anything can be changed. You just have to want it enough and decide not to quit until you make it happen.” I hesitated. “I'm the problem, aren't I? I've caused all this trouble in your life.”

“
No, David, I'm glad I meet you. It brings me love, and this is something I think I never know. But with this love I see everything else different, and this brings much pain. Now I must live with this pain. I must go. I see you tomorrow.”

Before I could speak she was gone. I sat there with the dead receiver in my hand, numbed. What had I done to her? What was so terrible that she couldn't tell me? What traditions and loyalties was she talking about? Why wouldn't I understand? Was I so obtuse? God! What was I going to do about it?

Even in the midst of this confusion I knew I had to reach Hammond. I followed procedure, but this time I had to wait.

“
Hello, Minstrel. I'm sure you've heard about last night.”

“
Yes, sir, but somehow I don't think it's over.”

The voice was suddenly sharp.
“Why? What else do you know?”

“
Nothing tangible. It's just a feeling about last night. There were no Soviets involved. Is this normal for them?”

“
Very much. The four we caught have been through a pretty hard grilling, and they have no obvious connection with the Soviets at all. If we hadn't tied it to your warning and your source, we mightn't even suspect the Soviets – It could have been purely IRA. Can you give me anything to back up your intuition?”

“
Remember I said that the four Soviets who were out of the country were supposed to be involved? Look at last night. How were they involved? The implication was that they would be in an active role. We only know about one voice on a telephone. Sorry, sir. It's just a gut reaction, but it doesn't fit.”

“Then to be on the safe side, Minstrel, I'm going to leave the Paras in place for a couple of days, and I have a security team in Kingston which will do the same. Are you departing as planned tomorrow?”

“
Yes. Everything seems to be normal as far as the cruise is concerned. All I can do is listen and look and maybe do a little snooping if the opportunity occurs.”

“
Don't stick your neck out, Minstrel. You're just an observer, remember? Leave the James Bond heroics to my friend Fleming, though I don't know where he gets that nonsense. It was certainly nothing he did around here.”

I had to say the next bit carefully.

“If it were either necessary or expedient for a Soviet who has helped me to come over, would there be a problem?”

“
Probably not, but I'd like some warning if it's on. There are always repercussions, and we try to head them off.”

“
No guarantees, sir. If it happens, it may be in a hurry.”

“
Then so be it, Minstrel,” he said quietly.

“
Thank you. Oh, sir, what about the plastic cap I found?”

“
The film container was made in East Germany. It's not sold in the west. There was a badly smudged partial on the cap, not enough for a match. But I think we learned what we had to. I've already sent a team to search the cottage, and steps have been taken to see that it is secured.”

“
Then I guess I'll see you when I get back from Russia, sir.”

“
One thing, Minstrel. If you need help, contact any British embassy or consulate. Use the phrase 'Alpha India Tango'. You'll be given all their resources and I'll be notified immediately. Good luck, Minstrel, and bon voyage.”