ground, State Department evaluations, progress reports. Nothing
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was left out if it was obtainable.
Two signatures were required to gain entrance into the 'Caves.' The
ambassadoes and that of the senior attach6 seeking information.
It was a regulation that was occasionally bypassed in the interests of
haste and emergency. The marine officer of the guard generally could be
convinced that an established attach6 had to have immediate background
material; the marine would fist both the names of the embassy man and his
subject on the check sheet, then stand in attendance while the file.was
removed. If there were repercussions, they were the attach6's
responsibility.
There never were. Violations of this sort guaranteed a post in Uganda. The
check sheet was sealed daily and sent only to the ambassador.
Jean rarely took advantage of her relationship to Henderson Granville in
embassy matters. In truth, the occasion rarely arose, and when it did, the
matter was always insignificant.
It was not insignificant now. And she intended to use fully her status as
family, as well as a respected member of the staff. Granville had left for
lunch; he would not return for several hours. She had made up her mind to
tell the marine guard that her 'father-in-law, the ambassador' had asked
her to make a discreet inquiry regarding a new transfer.
Spaulding, David.
If Henderson wished to call her down for it, she would ten him the truth.
She found herself very, very involved with the enigmatic Mr. Spaulding, and
if Henderson did not realize it, he was a damn fool.
The marine officer of the guard was a young lieutenant from the FMF base
south of La Boca. The personnel from FMF were sped in civilian clothes
through the city to their posts at the embassy; the treaty that permitted
the small, limited base did not condone uniformed men outside either
territory. These restrictions tended to make the young officers sensitive
to the functionary, faceless roles they were forced to play. So it was
understandable that when the ambassador's daughter-in-law called him by
name and spoke confidentially of a discreet matter, the marine complied
without question.
Jean stared at David's Me. It was frightening. It was not like any file she
had ever seen. There was no dossier, no State
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Department records, no reports, no evaluations, no listing of post
assignments.
There was only a single page.
It gave his description by sex, height, weight, coloring and visible
markings.
Beneath this cursory data, separated by a three-line space, was the
following:
War Dept. Transfer. Clandestine Operations. Finance.
TortWas.
And nothing more.
'Finding what you need, Mrs. CameronT asked the marine lieutenant by the
steel-grilled gate.
'Yes.... Thank you.' Jean slipped David's thin folder back into place in
the cabinet, smiled at the marine, and left.
She reached the staircase and walked slowly up the steps. She accepted the
fact that David was involved with an undercover assignment - accepted it
while hating it; loathing the secrecy, the obvious danger. But in a
conscious way she had prepared herself, expecting the worst and finding it.
She was not at all sure she could handle the knowledge, but she was willing
to try. If she could not handle it she'd take what moments of selfish
pleasure she could and kiss David Spaulding good-bye. She had made up her
mind tb that ... unconsciously, really. She could not allow herself more
pain.
And there was something else. It was only a dim shadow in a half-lit room
but it kept failing across her eyes. It was the word.
.Tortugas.'
She had seen it before. Recently. Only days ago.
It had caught her attention because she'd thought of the Dry Tortugas ...
and the few times she and Andrew had sailed there from the Keys.
Where was it? Yes.... Yes, she remembered.
It had been in a very mechanical paragraph within the context of an area
surveillance report on Henderson Granville's desk. She had read it rather
absently one morning ... only a few days ago. But she hadn't read it
closely. Area surveillance reports were comprised of short, choppy
informational sentences devoid of rhythm and color. Written by
unimaginative men concerned only with what they could describe briefly,
with data.
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It had- been down at La Boca.
Something about the captain of a trawler ... and cargo. Cargo that had a
lading destination of Tortugas. A violation of coastal limits; said
destination rescinded, called an obvious error by the trawlees captain.
Yet the lading papers had said Tortugas.
And David Spaulding's classified operation - clan&stine operation - was
coded 'Tortugas.'
And Heinrich Stoltz of the German embassy had called David.
And Joan Cameron was suddenly afraid.
Spaulding was convinced that Stoltz was alone. He signaled the German to
follow him to the back of the restaurant, to the curtained cubicle David
had arranged for with the waiter a half hour,ago.
Stoltz entered carrying the pack of cigarettes in his left hand. Spaulding
circled the round table and sat facing the curtain.
'Have a seat,' said David indicating the chair opposite him. Stoltz smiled,
realizing that his back would be to the entrance.
'The man from Lisbon is a cautious man.'Tbe German pulled out the chair and
sat down, placing the cigarettes on the table.
'I can assure you I'm not armed!
'Good. I am.'
'You are too cautious. The colonels look askance at belligerents carrying
weapons in their neutral city. Your embassy should have told you.'
'I understand they also arrest Americans quicker than they do you fellows!
Stoltz shrugged. 'Why not? After all, we trained them. You only buy their
beef.'
'There'll beno lunch, incidentally. Ipaid thewaiter forthe table!
'I'm sorry. The langosta . . . the lobster here is excellent. Perhaps a
drink?'
'No drinks. Just talk.'
Stoltz spoke, his voice flat. 'I bring a welcome to Buenos Aires. From
Erich Rhinemann.'
David stared at the man. 'You?'
'Yes. I'm your contact!
'That's interesting!
`ThaCs the way of Erich Rhinemann. He pays for allegiances.'
I'll VMnt proof
20.
'By all means. From Rhinemann himself. ... Acceptable?'
Spaulding nodded. 'When? WhereT
'That's what I'm here to discuss. Rhinemann is as cautious as the man from
Lisbon.'
'I was attached to the diplomatic corps in Portugal. Don't try to make
anything more of it than that.'
'Unfortunately, I have to speak the truth-Herr Rhinemann is most upset that
the men in Washington saw fit to send you as the liaison. Your presence in
Buenos Aires could attract attention.'
David reached for the cigarettes Stoltz had placed on the table. He lit
one.... The German was right, of course; Rhinemann was right.
The one
liability in his having been chosen was the enemy's probable knowledge of
his Lisbon operations. Ed Pace, he was sure, had considered that aspect,
discarding it in favor of the overriding assets. Regardless, it was not a
subject to discuss with Heinrich Stoltz. The German attach6 was stiff an
unproven factor.
'I have no idea what you're referring to. I'm in Buenos Aires to transmit
preliminary recommendations from New York and London banking circles
relative to postwar reconstruction negotiations. You see, we do believe
we'll win. Rhinemann can't be overlooked in such projected discussions.'
'The man from Lisbon is most professional.'
'I wish you'd stop repeating that nonsense. .
'And convincing,' interrupted Stoltz. 'The cover is one of your better
ones. It has more stature than a cowardly American socialite.... Even Herr
Kendall agrees with that.'
David paused before replying. Stoltz was circling in, about to deliver his
proof. 'Describe Kendall,' he said quietly.
'In short wordsT
'It doesn't matter.'
Stoltz laughed under his breath. 'I'd prefer as few as possible. He's a
most unattractive biped. He must be an extraordinary man with figures;
there's no other earthly reason to stay in the same room with him.'
'Have you stayed in the same room with him?'
'For hours, unfortunately. With Rhinemann.... Now. May we talk?'
'Go ahead:
'Your man Lyons will be here the day after tomorrow. We can accomplish
everything very quickly. The designs will be delivered
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in one package, not two as Kendall believes!
'Does he believe that?'
'It's what he was told.'
1VVhy?1
'Because until late last evening Herr Rhinemann thought it was so. I myself
did not know of the change until this morning!
'Then why did you call me last night?'
'Instructions from Walter Kendall!
'Please explain that.'
'Is it necessary? One has nothing to do with the other. Herr Kendall
telephoned me. Apparently he had just spoken with you. He said he was
called back to Washington suddenly; that I was to contact you immediately
so there's no break in communications. He was most adamant.'
'Did Kendall say why he was returning to the States?'
'No. And I saw no reason to inquire. His work here is finished. He's of no
concern to us. You are the man with the codes, not him.'
David crushed out his cigarette, staring at the tablecloth. 'What's your
rank at the embassy?'
Stoltz smiled. 'Third . . . fourth in command would be a modest appraisal.
My loyalty, however, is to the Rhinemann interests. Surely that's apparent!
'I'll know when I talk to Rhinemann, won't I?' David looked up at the
German. 'Why are the Gestapo here in Buenos Aires?'
'They're not.... Well, there's one man; no more than a clerk really. As all
Gestapo he thinks of himself as the personal spokesman for the Reich and
overburdens the couriers - who, incidentally, cooperate with us. He is, as
you Amerikaner say, a jackass. There is no one else.'
'Am you sure?'
'Of course. I would be the first to know; before the ambassador, I assure
you. This game is quite unnecessary, Herr Spaulding!
'You'd better set up that meeting with Rhinemann ... that's necessary!
'Yes. Certainly.... Which brings us back to Herr Rhinemann's concerns. Why
is the man from Lisbon in Buenos Aires?'
'I'm afraid he has to be. You said it. I'm cautious. I'm experienced. And
I have the codes.'
'But why you? To remove you from Lisbon is costly. I speak
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both as an enemy and as an objective neutral, allied with Rhine. mann. Is
there some side issue of which we're not aware?'
'If there is, I'm not aware of it, either,' answered Spaulding,
neutralizing Stoltz's inquisitorial look with one of his own. 'Since we're
talking plain, I want to get those designs okayed, send the codes for your
goddamned money and get the hell out of here. Since a large share of that
financing will come from the government, Washington obviously thinks I'm
the best man to see we're not cheated!
Both men remained silent for several moments. Stoltz spoke.
'I believe you. You Americans always worry about being cheated, don't you?'
'Let's talk about Rhinemann. I want the meeting immediately. I won't be
satisfied that Kendall's arrangements are solid until I hear it from him.
And I won't organize a code schedule with Washington until I'm satisfied!
'There's no schedule?'
'There won't be any until I see Rhinemann.'
Stoltz breathed deeply. 'You are what they say, a thorough man. You'll see
Rhinemann.... It will have to be after dark, two transfers of vehicles, his
residence. He can't take the chance of anyone seeing you together.... Do
these precautions disturb you?9
'Not a bit. Without the codes there's no money transferred in Switzerland.
I think Herr Rhinemann will be most hospitable!
'Yes, I'm sure. . . . Very well. Our business is concluded. You'll be
contacted this evening. Will you be at home?'
'If not, I'll leave word at the embassy switchboard.'
'Dann auf Wiedersehen, mein Herr.' Stoltz got out of the chair and gave a
diplomatic nod of his head. 'Heute Abend.'
'Heute Abend,' replied Spaulding as the German parted the curtain and
walked out of the cubicle. David saw that Stoltz had left his cigarettes on
the table; a minor gift or a minor insult. He removed one and found himself
squeezing the tip as he remembered Kendall doing - incessantly, with every
cigarette the accountant prepared to smoke. David broke the paper around
the tobacco and dropped it in the ashtray. Anything reminding him of
Kendall was distasteful now. He couldn't think about Kendall and his
sudden, fear-induced departure.
He had something else to think about.
Heinrich Stoltz, 'third, fourth in command' at the German
272
embassy, was not so highly placed as he believed. The Nazi had not been
lying - he did not know the Gestapo was in Buenos Aires. And if he didn't
know, that meant someone wasn't telling him.
It was ironic, thought David, that he and Erich Rhinemann would be working
together after all. Before he killed Rhinemann, of course.
Heinrich Stoltz sat down at his desk and picked up the telephone. He spoke
in his impeccable academic German.
'Get me Herr Rhinemann in Lujin.'
He replaced the phone, leaned back in his chair and smiled. Several moments
later his buzzer hummed.
'Herr Rhinemann? ... Heinrich Stoltz.... Yes, yes, everything went
smoothly. Kendall spoke the truth. This Spaulding knows nothing about
Koening or the diamonds; his only concerns are the designs. His only threat
- that of withholding funds. He plays unimpressive games but we need the
codes. The American fleet patrols could be ordered to seal off the harbor;
the trawler will have to get out.... Can you imagine? All this Spaulding is
interested in is not being cheated!'
273
28
At first he tho
ught he was mistaken.... No, that wasn't quite right, he
considered; that wasn't his first thought. He didn't have a first thought,
he had only a reaction.
He was stunned.
Leslie Hawkwood!
He saw her from his taxi window talking with a man at the south end of the
fountain in the Plaza de Mayo. The cab was slowly making its way through
the traffic around the huge square; he ordered the driver to pull over and
stop.
David paid the driver and got out. He was now directly opposite Leslie and
the man; he could see the blurred figures through the spray of the
fountain.
The man handed Leslie an envelope and bowed a European bow. He turned and
went to the curb, his hand held up for a taxi. One stopped and the man got
in; the cab entered the flow of traffic and Leslie went to the crosswalk,
waiting for the pedestrian signal.
David made his way cautiously around the fountain and dashed to the curb
just as the crosswalk light flashed.
He dodged the anxious vehicles, arousing horns and angry shouts, angling
his path to the left in case she turned around at the commotion. She was at
least fifty yards ahead of him; she couldn!t spot him, he was sure of that.
On the boulevard, Leslie headed west toward Avenida 9 de
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Julio. David closed the gap between them but kept himself obscured by the
crowds. She stopped briefly at several store windows, twice obviously trying
to make up her mind whether to enter or not.
So like Leslie; she had always hated to give up the acquisition of
something new.
She kept walking, however. Once she looked at her wristwatch; she turned
north on Julio and checked the numbers of two storefront addresses,
apparently to determine the directional sequence.
Leslie Hawkwood had never been to Buenos Aires.
She continued north at a leisurely pace, taking in the extraordinary color
and size of the boulevard. She reached the comer of Corrientes, in the
middle of the theater district, and wandered past the billboards, looking
at the photographs of the performers.
Spaulding realized that the American embassy was less than two blocks away
- between the Avenidas Supacha and Esmeralda. There was no point in wasting
Robert Ludlum - Rhineman Exchange.txt Page 33
