Requiem for a Spy: A Novel of Nuclear Espionage by Richard Miles & Jill Rose

Author:Richard Miles & Jill Rose [Miles, Richard & Rose, Jill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Published: 2021-09-15T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Late that afternoon, just when it would have been pleasant to join the company in the bar, there was a knock on my door. It was partially opened and a white-sleeved arm pushed a laundry bag through, then the door quickly shut. It was the sort of bag to be found outside most cabins most mornings after the stewards had done their round of bed making, changing sheets and towels. I picked it up. There were sheets and towels in this one, but among them several notebooks. A quick inspection showed they were filled with the neatest manuscript – and a string of little bags: the micro film.

I had not been idle. I had made my disposition. Earlier that day I had spoken to Captain Evans. I had told him that I had taken certain top-secret documents from Bronski, and that if anything should prevent me or Bronski delivering them in person they were to be taken by hand to the Foreign Office and given to the Permanent Secretary. Where might they be best stowed? I would like him to take them as soon as I brought them in.

“Whatever the customer wants is right. That is the principle on which this line operates. So yes, of course. Why not take them to the purser? He has a splendid safe.”

“I’d be grateful if you will take them as soon as they reach me. I’m afraid – they won’t be safe with me. It will be assumed I have them . . .”

“Gracious man! I will do as you say, but what can happen here, on this ship? In mid-ocean? Unless you fall overboard perhaps? You look sure-footed enough. You suspect that someone on board is after Bronski, don’t you? I find it hard to believe.”

“I don’t know, Captain, Maybe something of Bronski’s paranoia has rubbed off on to me. He thinks there is trouble. And as for me, well, it’s not my job to take unnecessary risks.”

It was pure chance the captain was in his cabin when the package came. He was shaving, making ready for his evening’s social duties. I was still beset by fear. I had heard, I thought, the voice of my Athene, from a great distance, saying, ‘Go on, go on!’ I hardly apologised for the interruption. Evans, by training, perhaps by instinct, sensed emergency. Pausing only to wipe his face, he checked the contents of the bag with me.

“I’ll put this lot in my own little safe for the moment.”

He did so, and pushed the discarded bag into his closet. This done, he said, “Thinking over all this, there is only one real suspect. Right?”

I nodded.

“Most unlikely, but you may know more than you care to tell me. No names, no pack drill at this stage at any rate.”

I promised that if I found any good reason to do so, I would come to him. I was relieved and a little less anxious when the next day passed without incident.

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