shot?’
Brink-Ford nodded. ‘Yes.’ He added significantly: ‘His wife was definitely not present.’ He paused, then went on soberly: ‘The United States of America is about to invade Grenada.’
America about to invade Grenada? Morgan’s mind was fumbling, with the beat in his chest. Brink-Ford continued:
‘The official reason is the safety of one thousand American medical students who are living on the island. In a state of siege in the university, while civil war’s raging. After the hostage crisis in Iran and Jimmy Carter’s bungling of that, and the recent bombing of American military in Beirut, President Reagan is not taking any chances with American lives. Or America’s reputation.’ He added: ‘Or his own. There’s a presidential election next year. Another reason is the usual one: the Russians. The Reds are on the island in a big way, Soviets and Cubans. Amongst other things, they are building a huge new airport, capable of taking any planes. Why? Little Grenada’s tourist traffic is handled quite satisfactorily by the existing airport. So obviously the Russians intend making Grenadaanother military base, like Cuba. America is not going to tolerate that.’
Morgan was thinking hard. ‘And the other reason?’
‘Those are good enough reasons, in our book. Even though Mrs Thatcher is going to scream blue murder about America’s interference – because Grenada is a member of the British Commonwealth. Just like Reagan made a big show of complaining about Thatcher’s Falklands War. So he could keep in sweet with Latin America.’ He paused. ‘There is no other reason for America’s invasion officially. But there is an important spin-off, as the Americans say.’
‘And that is?’
Brink-Ford pressed his fingers together. He said:
‘Max Hapsburg died today, with certain information in his head. Highly important, of a secret nature.’ He paused. ‘And we believe – that is to say, Her Majesty’s government, and the United States believe, that Max Hapsburg may have told his wife the information … That she either knows it, or knows where it is to be found.’
Morgan stared at the man. He could not believe this was happening. ‘What makes you think that?’
Brink-Ford said, ‘Suffice it to say that Max Hapsburg was a prominent man in banking circles. He was involved in many – or several – top level negotiations on behalf of certain Caribbean and Latin American countries, about their international debts. It appears that, to that end, he was possibly not above applying a little pressure in certain areas.’
Morgan said slowly: ‘And you want me to get Anna … to his widow, and get this information from her.’
Brink-Ford’s eyes were big behind his spectacles.
‘Commander – Mr Morgan … We have a most important task which only you can carry out.’ He paused. ‘You are the only person, because of your – er — association, with Mrs Hapsburg.’ He took an uncomfortable breath. ‘Mr Morgan, it is of the utmost importance that you proceed to Grenada and get to see Anna Hapsburg immediately. That you … win her complete confidence.’ He cleared his throat. ‘And persuade her to come away with you, to a place of safety. In fact, to England.’
Morgan was astonished. Brink-Ford went on:
‘And if for some reason she will not do that voluntarily, you must make her come to England …’
Morgan could not believe his British ears.
‘Good God,’ he said. ‘Ab duct her? … Against her will? So you can … extract the information out of her? And if I refuse to be a party to this … kidnapping, you’ll exert a little blackmail on me ? Jesus.’ He could not believe it. He got up and walked to the window. He looked out elaborately. He turned back to them. ‘Am I in England? Or Russia?’ He walked back to his chair. He sat down incredulously. ‘Half an hour ago this sanctimonious prick –’ he pointed at Carrington – ‘was telling me that it all
Brink-Ford nodded. ‘Yes.’ He added significantly: ‘His wife was definitely not present.’ He paused, then went on soberly: ‘The United States of America is about to invade Grenada.’
America about to invade Grenada? Morgan’s mind was fumbling, with the beat in his chest. Brink-Ford continued:
‘The official reason is the safety of one thousand American medical students who are living on the island. In a state of siege in the university, while civil war’s raging. After the hostage crisis in Iran and Jimmy Carter’s bungling of that, and the recent bombing of American military in Beirut, President Reagan is not taking any chances with American lives. Or America’s reputation.’ He added: ‘Or his own. There’s a presidential election next year. Another reason is the usual one: the Russians. The Reds are on the island in a big way, Soviets and Cubans. Amongst other things, they are building a huge new airport, capable of taking any planes. Why? Little Grenada’s tourist traffic is handled quite satisfactorily by the existing airport. So obviously the Russians intend making Grenadaanother military base, like Cuba. America is not going to tolerate that.’
Morgan was thinking hard. ‘And the other reason?’
‘Those are good enough reasons, in our book. Even though Mrs Thatcher is going to scream blue murder about America’s interference – because Grenada is a member of the British Commonwealth. Just like Reagan made a big show of complaining about Thatcher’s Falklands War. So he could keep in sweet with Latin America.’ He paused. ‘There is no other reason for America’s invasion officially. But there is an important spin-off, as the Americans say.’
‘And that is?’
Brink-Ford pressed his fingers together. He said:
‘Max Hapsburg died today, with certain information in his head. Highly important, of a secret nature.’ He paused. ‘And we believe – that is to say, Her Majesty’s government, and the United States believe, that Max Hapsburg may have told his wife the information … That she either knows it, or knows where it is to be found.’
Morgan stared at the man. He could not believe this was happening. ‘What makes you think that?’
Brink-Ford said, ‘Suffice it to say that Max Hapsburg was a prominent man in banking circles. He was involved in many – or several – top level negotiations on behalf of certain Caribbean and Latin American countries, about their international debts. It appears that, to that end, he was possibly not above applying a little pressure in certain areas.’
Morgan said slowly: ‘And you want me to get Anna … to his widow, and get this information from her.’
Brink-Ford’s eyes were big behind his spectacles.
‘Commander – Mr Morgan … We have a most important task which only you can carry out.’ He paused. ‘You are the only person, because of your – er — association, with Mrs Hapsburg.’ He took an uncomfortable breath. ‘Mr Morgan, it is of the utmost importance that you proceed to Grenada and get to see Anna Hapsburg immediately. That you … win her complete confidence.’ He cleared his throat. ‘And persuade her to come away with you, to a place of safety. In fact, to England.’
Morgan was astonished. Brink-Ford went on:
‘And if for some reason she will not do that voluntarily, you must make her come to England …’
Morgan could not believe his British ears.
‘Good God,’ he said. ‘Ab duct her? … Against her will? So you can … extract the information out of her? And if I refuse to be a party to this … kidnapping, you’ll exert a little blackmail on me ? Jesus.’ He could not believe it. He got up and walked to the window. He looked out elaborately. He turned back to them. ‘Am I in England? Or Russia?’ He walked back to his chair. He sat down incredulously. ‘Half an hour ago this sanctimonious prick –’ he pointed at Carrington – ‘was telling me that it all
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