This was no robbery. The minister handed the report to Ainh. He has connections to the old regime.
Ainh scanned the page. I see mention only of a woman cousina factory worker. He paused, then looked up in surprise. A mixed blood.
The minister nodded. She is being questioned now. Shall we look in on her?
CHANTAL WAS SLOUCHED ON A wooden bench, aiming lethal glares at the policeman in charge of questioning.
I have done nothing! she spat out. Why should I want anyone dead? An American bitch, you say? What, do you think I am crazy? I have been home all night! Talk to the old man who lives above me! Ask him whos been playing my radio all night! Ask him why hes been beating on my ceiling, the old crank! Oh, but I could tell you stories about him.
You accuse an old man? said the policeman. You are the counterrevolutionary! You and your cousin!
I hardly know my cousin.
You were working together.
Chantal snorted. I work in a factory. I have nothing to do with him.
The policeman swung a bag onto the table. He took out the items, placed them in front of her. Caviar. Champagne. Pâté. We found these in your cupboards. How does a factory worker afford these things?
Chantals lips tightened, but she said nothing.
The policeman smiled. He gestured to a guard and Chantal, rigidly silent, was led from the room.
The policeman then turned respectfully to the minister, who, along with Ainh, was watching the proceedings. As you can see, Minister Tranh, she is uncooperative. But give us time. We will think of a way to
Let her go, said the minister.
The policeman looked startled. I assure you, she can be made to talk.
Minister Tranh smiled. There are other ways to get information. Release her. Then wait for the fly to drift back to the honeypot.
The policeman left, shaking his head. But, of course, he would do as ordered. After all, Minister Tranh had far more experience in such matters. Hadnt the old fox honed his skills on years of wartime espionage?
For a long time, the minister sat thinking. Then he picked up the champagne bottle and squinted at the label. Ah. Taittinger. He sighed. A favorite from my days in Paris. Gently he set the bottle back down and looked at Ainh. I sense that Miss Maitland has blundered into something dangerous. Perhaps she is asking too many questions. Stirring up dragons from the past.
You mean her father? Ainh shook his head. That is a very old dragon.
To which the minister said softly, But perhaps not a vanquished one.
A LARGE BLACK COCKROACH crawled across the table. One of the guards slapped it with a newspaper, brushed the corpse onto the floor and calmly went on writing. Above him, a ceiling fan whirred in the heat, fluttering papers on the desk.
Once again, Miss Maitland, said the officer in charge. Tell me what happened.
Ive told you everything.
I think you have left something out.
Nothing. Ive left nothing out.
Yes, you have. There was a gunman.
I saw no gunman.
We have witnesses. They heard a shot. Who fired the gun?
I told you, I didnt see
anyone. The grating was weakhe fell through.
Why are you lying?
Her chin shot up. Why do you insist Im lying?
Because we both know you are.
Lay off her! Guy cut in. Shes told you everything she knows.
The officer turned, looked at Guy. You will kindly remain silent, Mr. Barnard.
And youll cut out the Gestapo act! Youve been questioning her for two hours now. Cant you see shes exhausted?
Perhaps it is time you left.
Guy wasnt about to back down. Shes an American. You cant hold her indefinitely!
The officer looked at Willy, then at Guy. He gave a nonchalant shrug. She will be released.
When?
When she tells the truth. Turning, he walked out.
Hang in, Guy muttered. Well get you out of here yet. He followed the officer into the next room, slamming the door behind him.
The arguing went on for ten minutes. She could hear them shouting behind the door. At least Guy still had the strength to shout; she could barely hold her head up.
When Guy returned at last, she could see from his look of disgust that hed gotten nowhere. He dropped wearily onto the bench beside her and rubbed his eyes.
What do they want from me? she asked. Why cant they just leave me alone?
I get the feeling theyre waiting for something. Some sort of approval
Whose?
Hell if I know.
A rolled up newspaper whacked the table. Willy looked over and saw the guard flick away another dead roach. She shuddered.
It was midnight.
At 1:00 a.m., Mr. Ainh appeared, looking as sallow as an old bed sheet. Willy was too numb to move from the bench. She simply sat there, propped against Guys shoulder, and let the two men do the talking.
We are very sorry for the inconvenience, said Ainh, sounding genuinely contrite. But you must understand
Inconvenience? Guy snapped. Ms. Maitland was nearly killed earlier tonight, and shes been kept here for three hours now. What the hells going on?
The situation isunusual. A robbery attempton a foreigner, no lesswell He shrugged helplessly.
Guy was incredulous. Youre calling this an attempted robbery?