by Geoff Wolak
* * *
Otto walked through the newly dedicated International Peace Garden in Bern, Minister Blaum at his side, tourists thronging around the blooming flowers. With their hands clasped behind their backs they ambled along at a very slow pace.
‘How has Beesely taken the death of his daughter?’ Minister Blaum enquired, not turning to face Otto as he spoke.
‘Badly, as you can imagine.’
‘Yes, a great loss. And what effect does it have on our overall position?’
‘They have continued to recruit more ex-SAS soldiers, the training continues at a good pace.’
‘And their reaction to Rudenson?’
‘As anyone might expect, although Beesely was a little surprised by how far we went.’
‘As was I,’ the Minister unhappily stated, a quick glance at Otto.
‘We needed to send a message,’ Otto insisted.
‘And is there any evidence that … our enemies were linked to Rudenson?’
‘Some, but tenuous. No direct link is evident, some loose associations.’
‘Do you believe it was them?’ the Minister probed, making way for a tourist taking photographs.
‘It is true that Gunter’s will did mention some political groups, in fact some of those that Rudenson worked with, as you are aware,’ Otto quietly explained as they walked along. ‘But the one suspicious fact is that they moved quickly after Gunter’s death, too quickly. They should have waited the statutory six months after his death for claims to be made against the estate and the will. That bomb must have been readied little more than six weeks after Gunter’s death, which we did not widely publicise.’
‘So, it was … who we suspect.’
‘Only by indirect evidence. But yes, I believe so.’
‘They hoped the castle would be evacuated because of the gas.’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘I was surprised by the quick actions of the Americans and the Israelis,’ Minister Blaum pointedly remarked.
Otto stopped and faced the Minister. ‘As was I.’ They exchanged uneasy looks. Walking on Otto added, ‘They are … gearing up for a fight, as the English say. Our psychological assessment of Beesely was completely correct; he has no desire to sit on a beach, despite previous plans for such a move. He has told me that he wishes K2 to become more aggressive, to recruit more agents.’
‘And this man Johno?’
‘He is very good under pressure. He … knows his craft, as Beesely says. And, strangely enough, he has taken our bellhop under his wing.’
‘The boy who was orphaned?’ the Minister puzzled.
‘Yes. They are spending a lot of time together, something else that has surprised me. Johno said today that Thomas reminds him of himself at that age, but that when he was that age he had no one to look out for him.’
‘Having read Johno’s file … I would not have expected him to behave that way.’
They exchanged looks, walking on.
