Carver

31

London

Grantham called while Carver and Alix were in the cab. ‘So, did you speak to your old girlfriend?’ he asked.

‘Yes.’

‘And…?’

‘And you were right. Magda Sternberg and Celina Novak are one and the same person. And she was just as tricky then as she is now: manipulative, sadistic, totally cold-blooded. “Celina can make you do anything,” was the way Alix put it.’

Carver put a hand over the phone and mouthed ‘Grantham’ at Alix, who shook her head with a rueful sigh.

‘Don’t tell me you’re getting lovey-dovey with her again…’ Grantham asked, almost as if he’d seen Carver’s gesture.

‘Not with Ginger, that’s for sure.’

‘You know that’s not who I meant.’

‘No comment.’

‘Unbelievable. Some people never learn… Well, if you don’t mind me interrupting your true romance, I have details of tomorrow’s operations.’

‘Fire away.’

‘You’re on the list for this absurd publicity stunt, sorry, this vitally important meeting on energy security. You’ll be Andy Jenkins, a member of the Ministry of Defence support staff. There’ll be a few of them around.’

Carver was having a hard time paying attention to what Grantham was saying. Alix’s hand was making its way up his inner thigh. Grinning, he swatted it away, then did his best to focus on business.

‘Support staff? Sounds like another way of saying non-uniformed special forces.’

‘Your words, not mine,’ said Grantham. ‘But it shouldn’t be too far out of your comfort zone.’

‘So where do I have to be, and when?’

‘Cardiff Gate services on the M4. There’s a motel there called the Ibis. Go down tonight. Check in under any name you like. In the morning, all your Andy Jenkins documentation will be waiting at reception. Your contact will be called Tyrrell.’

‘Is that a first or second name?’

‘It’s the only name you’re getting. He’ll be waiting for you in the motel car park at 7.00 a.m. in a 58 Reg, metallic-grey Audi A4.’

‘And then what?’

‘Get in the car and go with friend Tyrrell to your destination.’

‘But what is my destination?’

‘An oil refinery.’

‘On Milford Haven, presumably,’ said Carver, thinking of the nearest major installations to Cardiff.

‘That’s one presumption, yes. But anyway, keep your eyes open. Check out as much as you can. See if it helps you in any way to find out what the hell Zorn’s up to. When you get back we can discuss what you plan to do about him. Assuming you know.’

‘Oh, I know what I’m doing,’ said Carver. ‘I just don’t know if it’ll work.’

He ended the call and looked at Alix.

‘Were you talking about me just then?’ she asked, with a spark of humour in her eyes. ‘When you said you didn’t know whether it would work?’

‘Of course,’ said Carver. ‘What else could I possibly be talking about?’

‘I can’t imagine,’ she murmured, leaning towards him and gently putting her hand back between his thighs.