Dead Line

FORTY-THREE

‘You’ve been shopping,’ said Liz, as Peggy Kinsolving walked into her office in a new trouser suit with a short jacket that showed off her figure.

Peggy blushed. ‘Do you like it?’ she asked.

Liz nodded. ‘It suits you,’ she said, thinking that things must be going well with Tim. Peggy didn’t usually bother much about clothes; but now, thought Liz, with a tinge of jealousy, she had someone to appreciate them.

They discussed what they’d come to call The Syrian Plot, Liz voicing her frustration at the lack of obvious leads. ‘Now that Bokus and Brookhaven are in the clear, the only element that keeps recurring is Mossad – or Kollek, actually. I think we need to home in on him. Why don’t you do some digging?’

‘Can I talk with people in Israel?’

‘I’d rather you didn’t for now.’

‘That won’t help,’ said Peggy.

Liz understood the complaint, but shook her head. ‘If we tell Mossad we’re interested in Kollek they’ll want to know exactly why, and we’ve promised the Americans to be discreet.’

‘What about other sources there? You know, his school and university.’

‘Sorry, no. It’s such a small country they’d soon find out we’d been asking. We can’t take the risk. I’m afraid you’ll have to stick to his time in the UK. Start with his visa application.’

‘Anything in particular I’m looking for?’

‘See if you can find out where else he’s been posted. Check with the friendlies and see if they know him. Show them his photograph – he might have been using other names. Talk to the FBI. They might have something on him that they haven’t shared with the CIA. But for heaven’s sake don’t blow Bokus’s little secret.’

‘It sounds a bit of a long shot.’

Liz knew Peggy wasn’t being negative, just realistic. ‘You never know,’ she said encouragingly. ‘Something may turn up and it’s all we’ve got to go on for now.’

After Peggy had left, Liz rang Sophie Margolis’s home number. Her friend picked up on the second ring.

‘Hi Sophie, it’s Liz. How are things?’

She listened patiently while Sophie told her the latest about her two children (school phobia and teething were the current concerns) and about David’s recent promotion.

‘And how about Hannah?’ Liz asked at last.

‘She’s fine. The peace conference has got her very excited.’

‘I’ll bet,’ said Liz. ‘Has she seen anything of our friend

Kollek lately?’

‘Funny you should ask. She hadn’t mentioned him for a while, but they’re having lunch just now, while we speak.’

‘Really?’ Liz thought quickly. ‘I’d like to talk to her about him if I could. He’s proving a bit of a puzzle – though please don’t say so to Hannah. Is there any chance I could drop in for a bit? Maybe this evening if that’s not too short notice.’

‘Of course. Come after work. You can share our chicken stir fry, if that’s an inducement. And don’t worry, I won’t say anything except that you’re dropping in.’

One more call to make. She looked through her phone book and found Edward Treglown’s work number. She slightly dreaded phoning, since they’d fixed the date almost two weeks before. The switchboard put her through to a secretary, who was frosty when Liz asked for Edward -‘Will he know what it’s about?’ had to be Liz’s least favourite telephone response.

But Edward came on straight away, sounding cheerful. ‘Hello, Liz. Your mother and I are both looking forward to this evening.’

‘Oh Edward,’ she said with undisguised regret, ‘that’s exactly why I’m ringing. I can’t make it. Something’s come up at work, and I have to see someone.’

The pause was almost imperceptible, and she thanked him mentally for the way he reacted. ‘Doesn’t matter. We’ll find another time. But listen, help me with something. If you can’t come, I’d like to do something special for your mother. She’ll be so disappointed not to see you. Have you any ideas?’

She had a sudden inspiration. ‘Why don’t you take her up in the Eye? There’s a special deal where they give you champagne.’

‘That sounds like the voice of experience,’ he said with a chuckle. ‘Splendid idea. Just sorry you can’t join us. Ring soon and we’ll make another plan.’

Hannah seemed excited, drinking white wine and munching prawn crackers she took in handfuls from a large bowl on the kitchen table. Sophie had disappeared momentarily to put little Zack to bed – the baby was already asleep.

‘I was just telling Sophie before you came that I’ve had the most wonderful news. I’ve been asked to go to the peace conference, as part of the peace delegation.’ Her eyes lit up.

‘That’s great. I didn’t know there was to be a peace delegation. So you’re going to Gleneagles?’

Hannah nodded. ‘I’ve even got a place to stay. Some B and B in Auchterarder.’ She laughed. ‘Did I pronounce it right?’

‘I think so,’ said Liz, with a smile. ‘To the Scots I’m as foreign as you.’

‘Obviously, from the Israeli government point of view it’s all just a PR exercise. They’ve invited a small group of Jewish peace activists to meet the Israeli delegation before the main conference starts. But if they think we’re just going to act like yes men they’ve got another think coming.’ She added defiantly, ‘We’ll make our views known, don’t you worry. They have no more right to act as if they represent Israel than we do.’

‘Who invited you?’

‘The embassy,’ she said proudly. ‘They knew I was here and put my name on the list.’ Then she looked embarrassed. ‘I think Danny had something to do with it. He denied it, but he knew how much I’d like to go.’

She seemed so enthusiastic that Liz waited a moment before asking, ‘Did Danny say if he’d be going to the conference, too?’

‘Yes. I mean no, he won’t be. It’s a shame in some ways, though I think it would have been difficult for him – you know, having to act as a member of the official delegation, while your heart was really with the peace movement people.’

Liz tried to look sympathetic, but inwardly she was puzzled. Why wasn’t Kollek going? ‘Did he say why he won’t be there?’

‘He’s going to be in Israel. There’s some trade conference he has to attend. That’s his speciality after all.’

‘Of course.’ She added, trying to make it sound like an afterthought, ‘Is there anything he asked you to do at the conference?’

Hannah shook her head. ‘Not really. He said we’d talk on the phone – I know he wants to know how we get on up there.’

‘So you’re going to ring him from Gleneagles?’ asked Liz, trying to keep the tension out of her voice. If Hannah had Danny’s mobile number, they should be able to trace its location – and his.

‘No,’ said Hannah. ‘He said he’s going to ring me. He didn’t say when, I’m afraid,’ she added, sensing that Liz wanted to know. She smiled wanly.

Damn, thought Liz. Kollek could be anywhere, and she had no way to find him. But if he wasn’t going to Gleneagles, then just what was he up to? Sophie had come into the kitchen now, and though she was busy by the stove, starting the stir fry, Liz could see she was listening closely.

Hannah suddenly sighed, sounding exasperated. ‘Honestly, you two keep acting like Danny’s got terrible designs on me. First you think he’s a gigolo, Sophie; now you both act like he’s some kind of spy.’

Liz ignored this, and asked, ‘Has Danny already left for Israel?’

Hannah looked over at Sophie, who kept her back turned to them both. ‘Not yet. In fact, I’m seeing him the day after tomorrow. We’re going to a lunchtime concert in St John’s church in Smith Square.’

‘That should be good,’ said Liz, making a note to talk to A4 first thing in the morning.