Once the boy was acclimated and knew the route, Lababiti would make a hasty retreat.
The key to leadership, he thought, was not to die for your countryit was to make the other man die for his. And Nebile Lababiti had no designs on becoming a martyr himself. By the time the bomb exploded, hed be safely across the English Channel in Paris.
He only wondered why he had not heard from Al-Khalifa.
I DONT KNOW how we missed it, Rodgers said.
No matter, Meadows said, now you have a plate number on the truck. Track it down and the bomb will be close.
Can I have the tape? Rodgers asked.
Meadows didnt disclose that hed had the author make two copies and that one of them was safely inside the borrowed Range Rover. Sure, he said.
I think we can take it from here, Rodgers said, reasserting his authority. Ill make sure and have my boss notify the head of American intelligence to praise you for your contribution.
The constant struggle between people and agencies was exerting itself. Rodgers must have been briefed by his superiors that whatever might happen, MI5 needed to receive credit for recovering the bomb. Now that he had what he believed would allow them to recover the bomb, he was trying to push the Corporation into the background.
I understand, Seng said. Do you mind if we keep the Rover for a few more days?
No, please, help yourself, Rodgers said.
And would it be all right if we questioned the owner of the pub, Meadows asked, just so we can complete our file and all?
Weve already extensively grilled the man, Rodgers said, considering the request for a long moment, so I cant see how it can hurt.
Rodgers reached for his cell phone to call in the vans plate number, then stared at the two Americans with expectation.
Thank you, Seng said, motioning to Meadows to walk toward the Range Rover, leaving Rodgers alone.
Rodgers gave a semi-salute and dialed the phone.
Meadows opened the door and climbed behind the wheel as Seng slid into the passenger seat.
Whyd you give him the tape? Seng said when the doors were closed.
Meadows pointed to the copy on the floor then started the Range Rover and spun it around in a U-turn.
Lets go visit the pub owner, he said, and see what else we can find out.
Are you thinking what Im thinking? Seng asked a few minutes later as Meadows stopped in front of the bar.
I dont know, Meadows said. Does it have to do with the motorcycle that was also on the tape?
Why dont I call it in, Seng said, while you go inside?
Meadows climbed out of the Range Rover. Youve got a damn good memory, he said.
Seng held up his palm, where the number was scrawled in ink.
Meadows closed the door and walked to the pub entrance.
THE TREES IN St. Jamess and Green Parks near Buckingham Palace were devoid of leaves, and the dormant grass was dusted with a thick frost. Tourists watched the changing of the guards with puffs of steam coming from their mouths. A man on a scooter came down Piccadilly then turned on Grosvenor Place and drove slowly past the lake inside Buckingham Palace Gardens. Continuing on, he rounded the corner onto Buckingham Palace Road to where it met the Birdcage Walk. Pulling to the side of the road alongside the lake inside St. Jamess Park, he recorded his travel times and the traffic conditions.
Then he slid the small notebook back into his jacket pocket and puttered away.
CABRILLO POKED HIS head out the side window of the MG. An hour ago, when he had driven past Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Scotland, he had been gaining on the van. Now as the MG labored up the Grampian Mountains the van was pulling ahead once again. Something needed to happen soon. Cabrillo expected to see Adams in the Robinson, the British army or air force, or even a police car any minute. He was sure the Oregon was sending helphe
was unarmed in an underpowered chase car.
Surely someone had figured out where he was by now.
ON BOARD THE Oregon, they were working on the problem with limited success.
The ship was still a hundred miles from Kinnaird Head, steaming south at full speed. In a few more hours shed be off Aberdeen, a few more and shed cross a point offshore Edinburgh.
Okay, Kasim shouted across the control room to Hanley, Adams reports he has enough fuel loaded on board to make it to the airport in Inverness. Once there, hell top off the tanks and head south along the road.
How much range will he have then? Hanley asked.
Hold on, Kasim said, repeating the question to Adams.
Most of England, Kasim said, but he wont be able to make London without refueling.
We should have this wrapped up before then, Hanley said.
Okay, Kasim shouted, Adams said he has the engine going.
Tell him to follow the road until he finds Cabrillo.
Kasim repeated the orders.
He said the fog is as thick as a winter coat, Kasim said, but hell fly right above the road.
Good, Hanley said.
Linda Ross walked over to Hanleys chair. Boss, she said, Stone and I reworked the tracking frequencies on the bugs on the meteorite. Were getting a more complete signal now.