Miss Turquoise

by George B Mair

  But Pekin could not use riodorium for years. So they might content themselves with flying in a gang of engineers and then blow the whole thing to smithereens. From China’s angle that would rank as a clear-cut victory over the West, though it would mean the loss of a fortune in rare metal to her peoples.

  In the end the girl sat back and rocked slowly on her hips, her eyes closed and an unlit cigarette dangling between her lips. She had accepted his story at face value. But he also knew that her shrewd Berber mind would have compared it with all that she herself had read or heard and drawn her own conclusions.

  At last she turned towards him and her eyes were very serious. ‘We have a saying that the food of the lion brings indigestion to the wolf, and although I’ve learned how to control most things in our lives here, I know nothing about China or Russia, or even about England and America. But what you say makes sense and you have forgotten one very important thing. I know from the slavers that no flying machine can now cross any country without being discovered, so I don’t believe that the Chinese could send in enough aeroplanes to remove that rock without other countries reporting them.’

  She waved her hands helplessly. ‘You may be right. It would be easier for them to destroy it.’

  Grant knew that Africa’s coastal chain of radar stations still left a few blind spots through which flights could probably pass and that there were wide gaps in southern Algeria over which high-altitude kites could easily enough make a run to the oases without being plotted. But there would be a real risk of discovery at Tangier if an unusual number of flights checked in with Chinese crews or registrations. And no matter how Pekin might try to confuse identification even Tangier would raise curious eyebrows if several plane-loads of unexplained yellow men kept popping in over a period of months, arriving and departing from apparently nowhere.

  ‘So what do we do?’ The girl’s voice was sharp with worry. But Grant had been caught out so often this trip that he was taking no more chances. Not even with Miss Turquoise. So far as he could remember, no reference had been made about the short-wave transmitter built into his electro-cardiograph on either of the tapes which had monitored his conversations. His baggage was all in his room. The set operated through a series of transistors powerful enough to throw messages up to four hundred miles. Arrangements had been made for a half-hour cover of his wavelength to be made six-hourly at a station on Lanzarote, the nearest island to the oases, and someone would be looking out for him at fourteen hours local time. His watch was self-winding and dead accurate. There would be a chance of doing something during siesta.

  ‘I’ll think about it,’ he said. ‘But first a sleep and then we can decide on some sort of campaign before meeting your uncle in the evening.’

  She smiled. ‘And I must prepare for tomorrow. I shall wear a beautiful dress and the maids must wash my hair. I also need a manicure, and must massage away the last of my little spots if I am to be beautiful.’ She looked at him shyly. ‘Have you a ring? It isn’t the custom here but I would like you to give me one.’

  He glanced at his fingers. On the middle his heavy signet with memories of death. ‘Rather large,’ he smiled, ‘but how about this.’ The signet was used only when he was on a more than usually dangerous mission, but one thing had never left him since it had been given by his grandfather twenty-five years earlier, a thin gold band, Georgian in period, with a star sapphire flush on top. He wore it on the little finger of his left hand and it had become a mascot. When he had been forced to remove every clue to identification he had kept the ring in a hip pocket.

  He slipped it over the fourth finger of her left hand. The hoop fitted perfectly and she stroked it with sensuous contentment. ‘I can see from your eyes that this is part of your life. Tell me the story and tomorrow you will put it on my finger when I become your wife.’

  The tension between them lightened as he told her about his family, and school at George Watson’s, of life in England and his dual nationality, one part of his loyalty still in Britain, but the other close to America where his mother had been born and where he had made more friends than in London or Edinburgh.

  A woman had cleared away the remains of food and Aniseeh was rising when Grant caught her hand. ‘Before you go. How many people live here? How many fighting men are there? If the Chinese tried to destroy the rock and your uncle found that he had been swindled what would he do?’

  She sat down again, squatting on the carpet and stroking a pet gazelle which was tame as any dog. ‘Counting children, about fifteen hundred, but there are only two hundred young men and you have seen how my uncle’s moods can change overnight. If he found that the Chinese had swindled him he would cut their throats. Slowly,’ she added.

  ‘Any weapons?’

  She shook her head. ‘After the war it was possible to buy almost anything but there is not so much ammunition now and I think a few well-trained soldiers could get control.’

  ‘Is there a strong-point, a fort like those in Guerra or Villa Cisneros?’

  ‘Only this house.’

  ‘How is it built?’

  ‘Pieces of everything. Outhouses are only mud bricks. But the centre is cement.’

  ‘You mean the square block just inside the main entrance?’

  He tried to visualize the situation. The cement part was broken by only four doors and if it came to a fight they could barricade off the kitchen or guest rooms so that the other two could then be held by a few determined men. Short of mortars or the like it was difficult to see how Ling Tao or anyone else could winkle them out.

  ‘They could starve us,’ she said dryly, ‘and I want to have a happy wedding. So let’s leave it to Allah.’

  Sidi Achmet was waiting near the entrance hall and followed Aniseeh to her quarters while Grant carried on alone to his room.

  The landing strip was said to be on the fringe of the oases, several kilometres from what he had heard the locals describe in Arabic as the palace, but he had calculated that it must lie somewhere directly in front. It was even possible that his window was covered with glasses and that observers would be alert for unusual activity. Pretending to yawn he undressed in full view of anyone who might be watching and then drew the curtains, leaving the wobbling glass doors wide open. The aerial had to be sited in a place that would offer at least a sporting chance of success and he had checked that the walls were fully eighteen inches thick. Direct transmission beside the open window was an imperative.

  Moving almost on tiptoe he edged the heavy crate containing the transmitter nearer the window, lifted out the box and unfolded the aerial lead. A pilot light flickered when he turned on the juice. Somewhere on Lanzarote men would be tuned to an ultra-short wavelength which was his only link with the outside world. Five minutes were required to heat the apparatus up and he double checked that risk of breaking down had been reduced to a minimum. ‘Hello.’ His voice was pitched to a whisper. ‘Hello. Gunten calling ADSAD. Gunten calling ADSAD. Over.’

  Response was almost immediate. ‘ADSAD here. Over.’

  In technical matters the department was unbeatable! Controlling a surge of excitement he dictated, phrase by phrase, a pungent review of the set-up. ‘Arrived yesterday, preceded by group of at least nine Red Chinese plus Jacqueline de Massacré. Repeat. Jacqueline de Massacré. Jacqueline may be double agent Pekin Force X.

  ‘Force X alleged have sold tape from Paris and London to China.

  ‘Top-level enemy Ling Tao. Repeat Ling Tao. Is he also Zero man? Try find out.

  ‘Their intention purchase new element. Price arranged. Gunten believes swindle intended and take-over bid probable when Pekin or Force X reinforcements arrive tomorrow.

  ‘Imperative contact Madrid immediately. Only way out top-level intervention Washington London Moscow. Repeat Washington and Moscow.

  ‘Trio essential if Madrid to be forced move with necessary speed and avoid risk Madrid playing one power off against other. Repeat: essential trio act with early arrival oases if fir
st plane-load element to be retained locally and if supply element not to be destroyed by opposition.’

  The voice in his ear was distorted by atmospherics but each phrase was accurately repeated and then Grant smiled as a new accent came on the air. ‘ADSAD here. You realize what you are asking?’

  ‘Completely. Situation explosive. New element will be lost if you fail do as suggested. Either Zero or Pekin will stir up world friction by trying ferry out the lot or else will stay put on two plane-loads, mining source of supply and then destroying. Over.’

  ‘ADSAD again. Why Moscow? Repeat why Moscow? Over.’

  ‘Because Madrid certain react strongly and resent effort America Britain secure vital element. Believe despite existing hostility will then contact Moscow and leave Soviets take action. End point certain destroy present Soviet drift towards West and might even throw Russia back to Pekin thus continuing arms race with presumed benefit to Force X interests.

  ‘Imperative American President use “hot line” to Moscow and put cards on table, offer third share new element to Soviets and propaganda as major step forward in Anglo-American policy to eliminate Soviet mistrust of motives.’

  ‘ADSAD again. Identify yourself more clearly. Give name immediate chief. Over.’

  ‘Colonel Mel Fengsted who died one month ago. Over.’

  ‘Number of door on office DAMPS? Over.’

  ‘Seventy-three.’

  ‘ADSAD again. What did you drink on last night with Admiral? Over.’

  And then it clicked. He was speaking to Admiral Cooper himself. The old man must really have the twitches if he had gone to Lanzarotte to cover the set-up! ‘Grant here, sir. Annaberg Scheurebe Trockenbeerenauslese. Over.’

  There was a pause, and then, with no formalities: ‘Do you realize what the hell you are asking?’

  ‘Yes. And respectfully repeat, sir, that only way out. Trioact unavoidable.’

  ‘No chance of you doing James Bond stuff and taking over control?’

  ‘This is fact, sir, not fiction.’

  There was another long pause and then the voice came through again, but this time with an air of decision which made Grant relax with satisfaction. ‘Right. Can be at Tenerife in less than an hour and in Washington if necessary before midnight your time. Hate these really fast Air Force jets but accept your opinion imperative try use hot line. Shall meanwhile arrange Moscow be told stand by for important message, brief White House on your views and arrange talk with President. Aircraft-carrier, use of, may be answer to your local problem.’

  ‘Time factor vital this end,’ added Grant. ‘Suggest wisdom United States Marines or suitable alternative arrive long before dawn.’

  ‘How about reception from locals.’

  Grant hesitated. ‘Unpredictable. Pekin will either fight or try escape. Suggest therefore first priority destroy aircraft. Believe Sheikh will co-operate but at worst resistance can only be moderate.’

  ‘And yourself? What risk-element?’

  ‘Considerable. But expect hold out in largest house centre oases. So ask Air Force avoid. Repeat avoid large house centre. Enemy likely assemble nearby.’

  ‘ADSAD. Final call. Any further comment? Over.’

  ‘Grant here. Yes. Marriage arranged for noon. Under circumstances dress can be informal. Over.’ Reception had been ninety per cent perfect and in spite of Force X, or anything else, at last he could begin to see his way through a tangle of intrigue which at one time had seemed almost impenetrable. Not for anything could he have resisted that final crack.

  ‘Here! ADSAD. One minute. What the hell are you talking about?’

  He grinned broadly. The old man sounded rattled. ‘Grant again. Not Jacqueline. Miss Turquoise. And no way out. Complicated set-up. Explain later. Over.’

  He held on for another ten seconds until a voice crackled for the last time. ‘Then God help you both. But at least you ought to be well matched. Will expect written report entire mission and may personally arrive to kiss bride before you leave honeymoon. And now signing off. But suggest maximal care see Zero doesn’t arrive with last-minute wedding present. Good luck and over.’

  Grant looked at his watch. Ten uninterrupted minutes! He almost caressed the gun-metal box as he repacked. In its own way the thing was a masterpiece of technology. There was still time for a lie-down before rising to enjoy these last few hours before nightfall when the sting had faded from burning sunlight and the coolness of late afternoon seemed to refresh every sense. He could imagine the sort of reception which the Admiral might get when he suggested bringing Russia into the picture: or asked the President to use the hot line to Moscow. But there could be no other way out. Madrid would have to be controlled and given a fair price for an element whose importance rose above national interests, because improperly handled the riodorium situation could lead to global war. But if it were developed with understanding on all sides it could do more than anything to close the gap between Russia and the West.

  He wakened to find Sidi Achmet standing over him with another letter from Aniseeh.

  I am preparing for tomorrow.

  My uncle is thinking Chinese business.

  A fiesta has been arranged for tonight and you must join us in the large patio at sunset.

  I am sorry we could not have coffee together.

  The letter puzzled him. Under the circumstances only some monumental interference with her movements could have prevented her wanting to know what he had decided to do. ‘The Señorita tells me to explain that she has spoken with our master and that it is better for you to do nothing.’

  The old man was smiling as he enjoyed Grant’s surprise. ‘Why did you not tell me that you spoke Spanish?’

  ‘I do as I am told.’

  ‘And you know about everything?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Then what do you think? Do you trust this man Ling Tao?’

  The old man shrugged his shoulders expressively. ‘I feel danger and I am a little afraid.’

  ‘Why?’ Grant detested talking about danger, believing that it only lowered morale. But he had a hunch that the old man might become important.

  ‘Like you I do not understand why these men should pay for this stone which is buried in the sand. When men like Ling Tao want a thing they take it.’

  ‘Does your master trust them?’

  The old man smiled. ‘The Señorita asked him to send the Chinese away.’

  ‘And what did your master say?’

  Sidi Achmet looked him straight in the eyes. ‘I was in the tent where she was born. When she was small I was her nurse, when she became a woman I was her bodyguard and I would die to make her happy. So I want to know the truth. If these Chinese men went away would you still marry her and live here?’

  Grant could lie better than most men when some important issue depended on it, but his mission was now under control. ‘I would marry her, and later I would try to sell the rock to governments which would pay a fair price. But I don’t want to stay here for ever.’

  The old man half smiled. ‘Would you marry for love or because you have promised?’

  Grant hesitated. ‘Because I have promised.’

  ‘And there is no love?’

  ‘It is difficult,’ said Grant slowly. ‘What is love? I like many things about her. But there is another woman for whom I feel different things.’

  ‘The dancing girl in France?’

  He nodded. ‘Yes. But even there marriage was out of the question.’

  ‘So when tomorrow comes what will you do?’

  ‘If the time comes for our wedding I shall marry her.’

  ‘And you would not put her away after some time?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Good.’ There was a note of finality in the old man’s voice. ‘You are honest, señor, and I know many who would have answered differently, but my master also believes that you can be trusted and I do not think that we can both be wrong.’

  ‘So what will happen?’

&
nbsp; ‘Tonight,’ said the old man slowly, ‘everyone has been invited to a fiesta to celebrate your engagement and the Chinese must also come.’

  ‘But what if they don’t?’ asked Grant.

  ‘That would be an insult and they would be killed.’

  ‘And if they join us?’

  ‘Then they will be put to sleep and made prisoner until we find out whether the money has really been put into the bank at Tangier.’

  ‘And if more aeroplanes arrive?’

  ‘We shall take the men prisoner.’

  Grant smiled. What would happen when several aircraft failed to report back to base? He could imagine the reaction from Pekin! But powerful NATO forces could be expected at latest by the following morning and it would be an all-round help if the Chinese were locked up. ‘Then let’s hope that they do come to our party. We don’t want any bloodshed.’

  Before dressing he checked that his signet was working, the thin needle springing upright when he drew the watch buckle over it. And then he slipped his Parker 61 into an inside pocket. He might need every weapon in the collection, and the lapel badge meant wearing Western clothes. Almost anything could happen before the night was over. But the 64,000 dollar question remained: ‘When would they be put to sleep?’

  Chapter Seventeen – ‘I thought we were safe’

  The large patio was set for a banquet. Torches were already burning on the walls and music piping from the alcove by the slab where he had operated in the morning. The Caid with some fifteen or sixteen Berbers was already seated and women were standing in the background, Aniseeh beside an empty place. ‘Over here,’ she said. ‘You are on my uncle’s right hand and I shall be your tongue.’

  The Caid seemed friendly but sat with a wary look of expectation, until, at least fifteen minutes late, the Chinese party filed through the west gate with Jacqueline de Massacré leading. Their interpreter brought up the rear while Sidi Achmet whispered instructions, placing Ling Tao to the left of the Caid, with the others mixed between Berbers and leaving Jacqueline alone. ‘Join the other women,’ said the Sheikh formally. ‘You may stand with my niece.’