Whiff Of Money

'I get it... last time we parted you promised to buy me a drink. Is this your idea of a drink?'

'Call it that if you like. I'm here to help.'

Girland walked down the vast room, keeping his flashlight's beam on Malik's legs until he reached him. He put his gun back in his hip pocket and offered his hand.

'It's quite a time ... I've missed you.'

The two men shook hands.

'I think I have also missed you,' Malik said. 'At least when we were fighting against each other, it was amusing. Since last time we met, life hasn't been amusing.'

They were speaking so quietly that Gilly who was crouched against the far wall, couldn't hear what they were saying.

This silver-haired giant scared her. Seeing Girland walk towards him and then shake hands with him did nothing to allay her fears.

'You' d better meet Gillian Sherman,' Girland said.

They joined Gilly at the far end of the room. With Girland holding the flashlight so they could all see each other, he made the introductions.

'Gilly, I want you to meet an old enemy of mine of the Soviet Intelligence. His name is Malik: a name that is as infamous as it is famous.'

Gilly looked at Malik with horror. He regarded her with his flat evil green eyes with the indifference of a man regarding a hole in a wall.

'Malik, this is Gillian Sherman, the daughter of the possible future President of the United States,' Girland went on, enjoying himself. 'Shake hands nicely and let's be sociable.'

Gilly backed away while Malik thrust his hands in his pockets.

'I know all about her,' Malik said in German. 'I want to talk to you. * He paused, then went on, 'Can she understand German?'

'No... French but no German.'

'Good.' Malik took out his flashlight, turned it on and walked halfway down the room. He sat down in one of the high back leather chairs and lit a cigarette.

'He wants to talk to me,' Girland said to Gilly. 'There's nothing to be scared about. Sit there and wait for me.' He led her to a chair against the far wall.

I'm frightened of that man... he's evil.'

'Just relax. I know a lot more about him than you do.' The conversation was carried on in whispers. 'Sit down and leave this to me.'

'You're so goddamn cocky, aren't you?' Gilly exploded in a furious whisper. 'You're so sure of yourself? I tell you he's evil!'

Girland felt for her face, pinched her chin in his forefinger and thumb and kissed her. For a moment she tried to avert her face, then her lips met his and parted.

'Another time... another place,' Girland said, drawing back.

He again turned on his flashlight and made his way to a chair next to the one Malik was sitting in. He sat down beside him.

'Cigarette?' Malik asked, offering his pack.

Girland took the Russian cigarette and both men lit up.

There was a brief pause, then Malik said, speaking in soft German, 'I want you to know, Girland, I'm working with you.

That's why I'm here.'

This statement didn't entirely surprise Girland. He had heard through his various contacts that Malik was out of favour and had been taken out of the active field. He was aware that Malik owed him his life. This man now appeared to be an odd mixture: ruthless, dangerous and clever, but now it seemed there was a sentimental s streak in him.

'I remember what you said when last we met,' Malik went on from out of the darkness, 'that we are professionals and the little stinkers who pull the strings are the amateurs. I've often thought about that. We both have to earn a living, do what we are told ... I much more than you, but there comes a time when it is possible to hit back at the little stinkers. You walked out on Dorey... I have my chance now to get even with Kovski.'

'Comrade Kovski... how is he?' Girland asked lightly.

'Better than he is going to be,' Malik said grimly. 'He has given me the assignment to find out why Sherman came to Paris, why Dorey gave you a movie projector and why you have come to Bavaria.'

'How are you progressing?'

'Well enough.' Malik drew on his cigarette, and for a brief moment the glowing end of the cigarette lit up his square, Slavonic features. 'This girl has made a pornographic film. With this film, she is blackmailing her father. She is a member of an anti-war organisation, run by Rosnold, a pornographic photographer who is now dead.

Sherman went to Dorey for help. Dorey realised he couldn't make this official so he appealed to you. You followed these two to Garmisch. Somehow Herman Radnitz heard of this. This is his Schloss. You were invited... you fell for the invitation and now you are trapped here. I followed you here. I saw Rosnold shot. I saw a man leave in Rosnold's car.

He is being followed. I climbed over the wall and here I am.'

Girland grinned in the darkness.

'Pretty sound work, Malik,' he said. 'You're right on the beam. The man using Rosnold's car has gone to get the films . ..there are three of them. When they have them, they will knock the girl on the head and that will conclude the operation.'

'Knock you on the head too?'

'Certain to.'