‘Well, Girland and the others can’t get down either, so they will have to go down the other side of the hill,’ Smernoff said.
‘I have three hundred men there waiting for them ... men and dogs. It’s just a matter of time.’
‘Give me a cigarette,’ Malik said.
‘Here ... don’t you ever smoke your own?’
Malik lit the cigarette and drew the smoke into his lungs.
‘I don’t want them killed,’ he said, leaning against the jeep. ‘They must be captured alive.’
‘How can we capture a man like Girland alive?’ Smernoff demanded. ‘That isn’t possible!’
‘I want them alive,’ Malik said. ‘I will make you responsible if any of them are killed. I must have them alive. They have information we need.’
‘Why didn’t you say so before?’ Smernoff said, exasperated.
He ran across to the radio truck, parked under the trees.
Malik again looked at the hill, watching the orange-coloured flames, hearing the crackling of the burning trees, seeing the vast umbrella of smoke, and even from where he was standing, feeling the intense heat.
* * *
The wind had veered to the southeast, and now smoke was beginning to settle over the tree tops, making a curtain of thin mist.
Girland moved silently through the forest, gun in hand, his eyes probing ahead.
He could no longer hear the dogs barking. In the far distance, he could hear the sound of the fire, and the occasional sharp crackle as some dry tree was caught in the approaching flames.
He kept on. seeing the edge of the forest ahead of him and the sunlight now misty with smoke.
Then he stopped abruptly. He heard voices. He slid behind a tree, listening. A man was saying something in Czech. Satisfied that there was no one in the forest, Girland again moved forward and then saw a steep bank ahead of him that led down into a narrow road. Moving like a ghost, he approached the edge of the forest, and sheltering behind a tree trunk, he looked down on to the road.
A big, covered army truck was standing by the grass verge.
Three soldiers, sweating in the heat, clutching automatic weapons, stood by the truck as their N.C.O. gave them instructions.
Girland surveyed the scene, then moved cautiously back.
He saw Jan coming through the forest and he waved to him.
Jan joined him.
‘There are four men down there,’ Girland said, ‘and a truck. We can grab the truck, use their uniforms and get to the frontier. What do you think?’
Jan nodded. He pulled Worthington’s gun from his hip pocket.
‘You’ll have to handle it ... I can’t speak the language,’ Girland said. ‘Put the fear of God into them. They’re all young. I’ll be covering you.’
Jan nodded again and moved forward. He reached the top of the bank. Girland was right behind him.
They looked at each other, then Girland nodded.
At the top of his voice, Jan yelled, ‘Don’t move!’
The four men froze. Slowly, the N.C.O. turned his head and looked up at Jan, saw the threatening pistol and turned a whitish green.
‘Drop your weapons!’ Jan snapped.
The automatic weapons clattered to the ground.
‘Turn around! Keep your hands still!’
Mala, Blanca and Worthington now joined them. Girland slid down the bank and collected the rifles which he loaded into the truck.
Jan came down the bank and joined him.
‘Tell them to take their uniforms off,’ Girland said, stepping back to cover the four men with his gun.
Jan snapped the order. Hurriedly and with panic, the four men stripped off their uniforms and dropped them into the road.
Girland found a coil of rope in the truck. He cut it into lengths. While Jan threatened the four men, Girland tied their hands and legs. Then they lifted each man into the truck.
‘Warn them if they make a sound they will be shot,’ Girland said and then he beckoned to the two girls and Worthington to come down to the road.
Ten minutes later. Girland and Jan wearing the Czech uniforms, the two girls and Worthington sitting on the floor of the truck, both Blanca and Worthington, guns in hand, the truck moved forward, with Girland at the wheel.
Jan was wearing the N.C.O.’s uniform that scarcely fitted his broad frame. He held an automatic rifle across his thick thighs.
‘Now where do we go?’ Girland asked.
‘First to the left, up the road. Don’t drive fast.’
They could hear the helicopter droning overhead.
As they reached the turning and as Girland swung the truck down the long, narrow lane, they saw a jeep coming fast towards them, sending a cloud of dust behind it.
‘Get under cover!’ Jan shouted through the rear window.
Hurriedly the two girls and Worthington dragged a tarpaulin that was folded against the side of the truck over them and the four bound soldiers. They lay flat, the tarpaulin covering them.
There was a young, fat officer and two soldiers in the jeep.
The officer waved to Girland and the jeep stopped. Girland brought the truck to a standstill.
The officer glared at him.
‘Where do you think you’re going?’ he demanded.
Girland had no idea what he was saying. He looked at Jan who leaned across him and made a sloppy salute.
‘Orders, Comrade Lieutenant,’ he said. ‘The divisional commander instructed me to return to headquarters.’
The Lieutenant got out of the jeep.
Girland thumbed back the safety catch of his revolver. He hid the gun down by his side, his face expressionless.
‘Who is your divisional commander?’ the Lieutenant barked.
‘Colonel Smerzh,’ Jan said placidly.
The Lieutenant stepped hurriedly back.
‘What are you waiting for?’ he exclaimed. ‘Get along!’
Girland, at Jan’s nod, engaged gear and the truck moved past the jeep.
‘Well ... well ...’ Girland grinned. ‘What was it you said?’
Jan told him.
‘Smerzh is an important man. I’ve often seen his photo in the papers. I took a chance.’
‘It worked.’
‘We have a little less than a hundred kilometres before we reach the frontier,’ Jan said. He turned around and called to Blanca. ‘You can come out now.’ He smiled encouragingly at the girls as they emerged from under the heavy tarpaulin.
Girland slightly increased the speed of the truck. He was feeling more confident. After some thirty minutes of fast driving, they came to a main road.
‘Better get under cover again,’ he called.
Reluctantly, Blanca pulled the heavy tarpaulin over them.
Once on the main road, they began to pass army trucks heading in the opposite direction towards the forest fire. Once, a fat, fiery-faced Sergeant leaned out of his jeep, and shouted at them.
Girland ignored him and kept on. Watching in his driving mirror, he saw the jeep was also keeping on.
A helicopter came low and buzzed them. Jan leaned out of the window and waved. Seeing the steel helmet, the pilot waved back and veered away.
They drove for a further forty kilometers, meeting little military traffic, then rounding a sharp bend, Girland saw a road block ahead. Two halftrack-armoured cars were across the road.
Four soldiers and an N.C.O. were standing in the middle of the road.
‘Here’s trouble,’ Girland said as he slowed the truck. ‘I leave it to you.’
Both thumbed back the safety catches on their weapons as the N.C.O., a young, heavily built man came up to the truck.
Jan spoke rapidly to him. Girland had no idea what he was saying, but whatever he said, it had the acquired effect.
The N.C.O. nodded and stepped back. He waved to the soldier sitting in one of the halftracks who started his engine and moved the vehicle out of the way.
‘Go ahead,’ Jan said quietly.
>
Girland engaged gear and moved the truck past the roadblock, then he accelerated and drove the truck fast down the long, straight road.
‘I think we’re through now,’ Jan said. ‘I gave him the same story. This Colonel must be quite a man.’
But he wasn’t to know that the N.C.O. reported the movements of every vehicle that passed through the circle that Smernoff had drawn on the map.
Smernoff was sitting at the two-way radio in the farmhouse, listening in to the reports as they came in. Malik was pacing up and down, his hands clasped behind his back, his face stony and angry.
Voices kept repeating ‘Nothing to report. Smoke making the operation difficult. The dogs are frightened by the fire.’ There was a long pause, then a voice came in, ‘Division Seven. A truck with two soldiers returning to headquarters, ordered by Colonel Smerzh.’
Smernoff stiffened. He flicked down a switch.
‘Division Seven,’ he said sharply. ‘Repeat your message. Colonel Smerzh is not directing this operation.’
There was a confused pause, then the voice said, ‘Repeat: a truck with one N.C.O. and a soldier returning to headquarters, ordered by Colonel Smerzh.’
Smernoff pulled a large scale map towards him.
‘Give me the location.’
‘Square ten ...’
Sensing something important was happening, Malik came to stand behind Smernoff as he studied the map.
Smernoff flicked another switch down that brought him in contact with a patrolling helicopter.
‘There’s a truck heading away from the scene of operation,’ Smernoff said. ‘Have you seen it?’
‘Yes ... It’s heading towards the Austrian border,’ the pilot told him. ‘It has been checked and passed.’
Smernoff hesitated.
‘Standby,’ he said and flicked down another switch that gave him contact with various road blocks.
A voice told him, ‘A truck with two soldiers is returning to headquarters by order of Colonel Smerzh. They have passed ten minutes ago.’
Smernoff cursed. He got back to the helicopter.
‘Go after that truck! Square ten!’ he shouted.
‘Don’t lose it! Keep contact and don’t fly too close.’
Malik said, ‘So they have got beyond your clever barrier, Boris. I will be sorry for you if they get over the frontier.’
‘You mean you will be sorry for yourself,’ Smernoff said, his face flushed. ‘You could never be sorry for anyone except yourself!’
chapter seven
I think he’s got us spotted,’ Girland said, raising his voice above the roar of the truck’s engine. He was driving fast down a narrow lane, bordered either side by fir trees. Following Jan’s directions, he had turned off the main road soon after passing the roadblock. Now, a helicopter was circling overhead.
‘We are within twenty kilometres of the frontier,’ Jan said and glanced at his watch. ‘We have at least nine hours ahead of us before we can make the attempt to cross. We’d better leave the truck and use the forest path.’
Girland nodded. He could imagine the pilot overhead sending back a stream of radio reports. The net was getting uncomfortably tight.
‘Tell me when.’ After another five kilometres, with the helicopter still overhead, Jan said, ‘We’re coming to it now. A little bit further ... now, stop!’
The lane had become even more narrow, and the trees formed a canopy, hiding the truck from the helicopter. Girland pulled up.
As they all descended to the road, Jan said, ‘This will have to be fast, and it’s going to be rough. They must be after us by now. Follow me.’
He slid down the bank and into the forest. Each of the three men carried an automatic rifle and a rucksack. Blanca had Girland’s automatic and a sack of canned food. Mala struggled with the blankets ... it was as much as she could manage. They had left Worthington’s suitcase in the truck.
Girland kept dropping behind to help Mala, urging her on.
He could hear Worthington panting as he forced himself to keep up with Jan’s pace.
During the next quarter of an hour they covered a lot of ground, then they came suddenly on a small, fast moving river.
‘We’ll use this . . . they are certain to have dogs with them,’ Jan said and slid down the bank into the water which came up to his knees. He started downstream, wading forward while the others followed him.
Girland had his arm around Mala and was forcing her along. Worthington began to fall behind. Jan didn’t look back.
He kept on, knowing time was running out for them.
Very faintly they could hear the barking of dogs.
Worthington, gasping, his face white with exhaustion, made an effort and began to catch up with Girland who was having trouble with Mala. She was clinging to him and she would have fallen if he hadn’t supported her.
After struggling through the water for a nightmare ten minutes, Jan headed for the bank again and grabbing hold of a tree branch, he hauled himself out on to the bank. He leaned down and helped Blanca out, then Girland passed Mala to him and turned to help Worthington.
They stood on the top of the bank, the trees forming a dense umbrella above them while they listened. They could hear the barking of dogs, but still in the distance. They could also hear the drone of the helicopter as it circled overhead, vainly trying to find them.
‘Not much further,’ Jan said, ‘then we can rest. Come on!’
He started down a narrow path, then abruptly turned off and plunged through undergrowth. They struggled after him, and after walking for a kilometre or so. Jan waved them to halt.
‘There’s an airshaft to this mine quite close.’ he said. ‘It wants some finding. Wait here,’ and he moved off into the forest.
Mala dropped to the ground. She felt as if she could never move another step. Worthington too was exhausted and leaned against a tree.
After a five-minute wait, Jan returned.
‘I’ve found it ... let’s move.’
Girland helped Mala to her feet and the party moved off, following Jan. They came upon a mass of tangled undergrowth to the side of the path. Jan forced his way through, holding back the dead branches and the brambles so the girls could follow him. They finally came upon a large hole in the ground.
‘This is it. It’s not deep,’ Jan said, ‘and it leads into the mine. I’ll go first.’ He sat on the edge of the hole, his feet dangling into darkness. ‘I’ll be at the bottom to catch you as you come,’ and he slid out of sight.
A few minutes later, they were all standing in an inky black tunnel that dripped water. Girland lit a candle and they looked around. Mala shivered and put her hand on Girland’s arm for comfort.
Lighting another candle, Jan said briskly, ‘Follow me and watch your heads.’
Crouching, he started off down the tunnel.
It seemed to Mala they walked for hours then suddenly they came into a vast cave, and Jan thankfully put down his rifle.
‘Here we are. We should be safe here for a day or so, then we will make the crossing. It would be too risky to try tonight. Do you agree?’
‘I guess so,’ Girland said. ‘But how do we get out of here?’
‘The exit leads right to the frontier,’ Jan said and blew out his candle. ‘Keep yours alight ... one is enough.’
Thankfully they sat down on the dry sandy floor of the cave.
‘Suppose we have something to eat?’ Jan said.
Blanca began to unstrap one of her rucksacks. Girland found a can opener and opened the can of sausages Blanca gave him.
While they were beginning to eat, the pilot of the searching helicopter was radioing back to Smernoff.
Malik was pacing around the room. A radio engineer had rigged up a small loudspeaker so both he and Smernoff could follow the hunt.
The pilot reported that the truck had stopped in a forest on Map reference 15. Checking his map, Smernoff alerted the nearest patrol.
While waiting for their repor
t, Smernoff leaned back in his chair and lit a cigarette. His face was lined with fatigue. He had been without sleep for thirty-six hours and even his iron constitution was beginning to feel the strain Malik came over to the table and stared down at the map. ‘They are within ten kilometres of the frontier,’ he said. ‘Yes.’ Smernoff flicked ash on to the floor. ‘Suk has moved additional troops there. The whole frontier is alert.’ He looked up at Malik. ‘You want them alive. This gives them a chance to get across. Remember, my friend, it is your order to capture them alive. This means the guards, even if they see them, can’t shoot at them. So ...’
Malik frowned.
‘They have important information.’ Smernoff shrugged. ‘They could get across. They now have automatic weapons. What do you expect our men to do if they are shot at? I told you ... to try to capture Girland alive is impossible. If you think you can take such a risk, then at least, you give me a genuine excuse should I fail to catch them.’
‘They must not get across,’ Malik said.
‘That is different. Then I have your permission to cancel your order to take them alive?’
Malik hesitated. He knew Kovski would engineer his disgrace if he let these people slip through his fingers. He also knew Kovski wanted the information the girl and Worthington had.
‘Yes, cancel it,’ he said finally. ‘They must not get across the frontier.’
‘So now we are quite sure of stopping them,’ Smernoff said. ‘Suk has fifty of the best riflemen at his disposal . . . each equipped with telescopic sights. They are already in position. They cover the whole length of the frontier where these people have to cross. Have a cigarette.’ He put his pack of Benson & Hedges on the table. Then picking up the microphone, he began to talk. ‘Dead or alive,’ he kept repeating. ‘Previous instructions cancelled. Repeat: dead or alive.’
As Malik lit the cigarette, he said, ‘I’m going out there. I’ll take a radio truck and keep in touch with you. Suk is a fool. I don’t trust him.’
‘Please yourself,’ Smernoff said. ‘They will probably have them before you get there.’
Malik stared at him and then went out into the warm sunshine. He got in the passenger’s seat of the radio truck and told the Sergeant to take him fast to section 15 on his map.
1967 - Have This One on Me Page 14
