Target by Brian Freemantle

Author:Brian Freemantle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Media

24

Gerda was already waiting in Dr. Muller’s suite when Bohler arrived. For the first time since they met, she was wearing her hair loose, falling to her shoulders. Bohler noticed the change and smiled across at her. She blushed, very slightly. Muller appeared unaware of the exchange.

“You slept well?” greeted the Director politely.

“Excellently,” said Bohler.

“So did Dr. Lintz,” reported Muller.

Bohler looked at the woman again. It seemed strange, hearing Gerda referred to so formally. He didn’t know why — it was a title for which she was qualified. Coffee was arranged on the table where the previous night there had been drinks. Bohler stared through the windows from which they had seen the sunset; even with the smoked glass, the countryside looked baked and arid. He felt favored, protected by the air-conditioning; outside Africans were working in the gardens, weeding and cultivating. They were naked except for waistcloths, apparently unconcerned.

Muller, solicitous as ever, poured the coffee. “Dr. Bloor will be joining us shortly,” he said. “I thought we could talk and then later visit the control area. Maybe even the silo itself.”

“Fine,” said Bohler.

“With the launch so near, you must be feeling some excitement?” said Gerda.

Muller nodded, an oddly reflective expression upon his face. “There’s always excitement, just before a launch,” he said, as if in memory.

Bohler was seeking the words that would encourage the older man to talk further when there was a sound behind him. He turned. A woman stood just inside the door.

“Dr. Bloor,” said Muller, the mood of nostalgia gone. “Come in and meet our guests.”

Bohler rose, intent upon the woman as she moved further into the room. Short-haired, tall, probably a little under six feet, slim, but heavy-busted, her figure just discernible through the loose covering of her laboratory coat. He memorized the description for later transmission to Peterson. Muller fussed between them, completing introductions. There was a dampness about her hand, Bohler noted. She smiled, a formal expression. Bohler decided she was treating them absolutely neutrally, neither with the friendship that Muller was displaying, nor with any hostility at the imagined intrusion from Bonn. A very self-contained person, judged the American; maybe even a little conceited. And very attractive.

“Our coming must be a nuisance,” said Gerda.

Hannah took her coffee and stirred it before replying. “Dr. Muller regards it as necessary,” she said, not bothering with politness.

“You must surely be able to appreciate the government’s concern?” said Bohler, curious at the immediate change in her demeanor.

“Why should America and Russia have the monopoly in space exploration?” she demanded. It appeared a practiced argument.

“Isn’t there some point in asking if this sort of enterprise might not create a proliferation of satellites, each country trying to outdo the other?” prodded Bohler, intrigued at her defensiveness.

“We hope so!” Muller came in quickly, trying to reduce the antagonism that appeared to be developing in the room.

“What danger can there be in the peaceful development of space?” said Hannah, refusing the Director’s attempt.

“None at all,” said Bohler easily. “It’s the possibility of it being turned to non-peaceful uses that is the concern in Bonn.

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