Deception

SIXTY-FOUR

The Auberge Grand Lac was a glorious misnomer. More chateau than inn, it had clearly been added to in a variety of ways over the years resulting in a mishmash of conflicting styles, and it now resembled something with a touch of Hollywood. Shrouded by several acres of woodland around a large lake, it was billed as a conference centre with leisure facilities, seclusion guaranteed, with one road in and out along a looping stretch of narrow pink tarmac. The road in ended at a large open gravelled space out front with discreetly marked strips for guest parking. Several outbuildings linked by covered walkways were described on their website as a gym, guest rooms and a swimming pool with, further over, a group of tennis courts and a golf course.

Harry stopped the hire car just inside the gate, where he could get a clear panoramic view of the grounds and buildings. The place was impressive. It spoke of ample funds and devotion to a cause, which was the provision of facilities for those with means and the need for secluded discussions in surroundings untroubled by everyday life.

‘Nice place,’ said Rik Ferris. He had discarded his sling and was dressed in conservative slacks and a plain shirt and jacket. ‘Selling state secrets must pay well if Deakin’s lot can afford to stay here.’

Harry used a small pair of binoculars to check the area around the main building. A few business types were wandering around, probably on a break from their meetings. A patio on one side of the building held a scattering of chairs and tables, with more people gathered around a trestle table serving coffee and biscuits. Cameras were located on the roof at various points, and floodlights, too, at ground level.

But no security guards, he noted. At least, not obvious ones.

He checked the tree line, which stood at least two hundred yards from the nearest building. A narrow track ran between the two, cutting across part of the golf course. Probably an access road for maintenance or deliveries. A few players were abusing balls out on the greens, but in a refined, easygoing way; no doubt the top dogs of the corporate world, enjoying a round or two while the juniors did the talking and meeting inside.

‘Come on,’ he said, and got back in the car.

They drove to the front entrance and parked out front. A shuttle emblazoned with the centre’s name was loading cases and passengers, and Harry scanned the faces out of habit. Tired-looking, but smiling, checking out and heading for home after a gruelling few days. A grey Mercedes was ticking over near the road, the Asian driver standing by the door. He looked alert and fit, too watchful to be an ordinary chauffeur or taxi driver. Harry was reminded of Ballatyne’s words when the MI6 officer found out where he was going.

‘The place is used by foreign diplomats, so don’t go shooting anyone we like.’

It had taken a lot of persuasion for Ballatyne to allow Harry to proceed, but he had thrown in the right amount of help where it was needed, on the grounds that it wouldn’t cost anything.

Harry left Rik outside and walked past the shuttle bus and through the front entrance. Inside was all marble and glass, soulless as a hospital foyer, only quieter. He approached the desk and asked to speak to the manager. The receptionist nodded and hustled away into a rear office, returning with a bristle-topped man with sad eyes and the look of a professional problem solver.

‘Yes, sir? May I help?’

Harry showed him a card with a name on it. It held a telephone number which was a direct line to a senior member of the Belgian Interior Ministry. Ballatyne had assured him that it would clear the way should he need it, and that the Belgians had been advised of his visit but would keep only a watching brief.

He could tell by the manager’s reaction that the name was familiar.

‘If you ring that number,’ Harry said quietly, ‘you will have confirmation of our credentials. In the meantime, could you tell me if two guests by the name of Phillips and Goddard are still here?’

The manager nodded eagerly. ‘Of course, sir. As a matter of fact, I have already had a call from the ministry, advising me of your. . visit.’ He glanced sideways but there was nobody close by. ‘I would merely ask that you be discreet, please. We have trade delegations here from Hong Kong and Singapore and I would not wish to upset the atmosphere.’ He simpered. ‘They are like wild birds: once frightened, they rarely come back.’

Harry nodded. That would explain the driver out front. ‘Don’t worry — I’m totally house-trained. Are the men still here?’

The manager turned and caught the receptionist’s attention, and they went into a brief huddle. When he came back, he said, ‘Indeed they are, sir. Mr Phillips is in L24, overlooking the lake, and Mr Goddard is in G18, overlooking the golf course. I am advised by Leon, our customer reception captain, that Mr Phillips is down by the lake. He saw him walking in that direction earlier, accompanied by another visitor.’

‘Thank you.’ Both together. It would be easier than hunting them separately. Harry began to turn away, then stopped. ‘Another visitor, you say. Not Mr Goddard?’

‘No, sir. The gentleman called just as you are now, and asked to speak to him.’ He gestured towards the reception desk. ‘The customer reception captain checked with the room service chief for you just now. Mr Goddard is still in his room. He was heard talking on the phone just a few minutes ago.’

Harry thanked him for his help and walked back outside to join Rik. Which one first — Deakin or Paulton? His instincts were pulling him towards his former boss, but getting Paulton wouldn’t close down the Protectory.

The shuttle bus had gone and the Mercedes was pulling away along the exit road, elegantly powerful. There was one passenger in the back, in shadow. As the car passed by, the driver glanced across, and Harry felt a mild frisson of something pass between them. It was like a small current of electricity, and he knew he’d experienced it before. But where?

Then it came to him: Ballatyne’s minder in Georgio’s restaurant, the first time they’d met. It had been the unspoken recognition between fellow professionals.

‘Christ, surely not.’

‘What?’ Rik looked at him.

‘The lake. Deakin’s down by the lake.’

They ran across the forecourt and over a belt of immaculate lawn past the corner of the building. The lake was spread out before them, the sunlight glinting off the surface, a scattering of water birds throwing small shadows as they floated on the mildest of ripples. A jetty jutted from the bank, with a handful of small boats tied up alongside. Benches were spread out at intervals around the perimeter of the lake, each one sheltered by small open-box surrounds of privet hedge. Only one bench was in use, and that was away from the approach road, with its back to the woods.

Harry led the way across the open ground, eyes fixed on the person sitting on the bench. It was a man in casual dress of shirt and pants. He looked relaxed, slim, one arm along the back of the bench, the other hand in his jacket pocket. He looked as if he might be dozing, no doubt lulled by the warmth of the sun’s rays and the reflection off the water.

Thomas Deakin.

Harry wasn’t taking any chances. He reached for the gun in his pocket, conscious that Rik would be moving away to one side to cover him. Ballatyne had moved mountains and called in debts to ease the way for them both to be armed. But he’d added strict instructions that the weapons must be used only in extreme circumstances.

Harry moved closer and said, ‘Deakin. Show me your hands.’

There was no response.

‘Deakin, show me you’ve heard and understood.’

Then he realized that they were already too late.

Deakin’s eyes were closed, but not in sleep. A trickle of blood had run down the side of his face and stained his shirt collar, and was already attracting a small buzz of flies. The blood was coming from a dark hole just above one ear.