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“Forever, probably,” Nicholas said, and felt ancient. “Don’t look like you’re going to throw up. Get used to it. We need minds like yours. So if you’re willing to cooperate, we could plead you out as a misdemeanor, and you’ll be out in well under a year.
“Ah, I see Commander Dendritte waving to us. I believe she wants to speak more with you and Sophie, probably more grilling for Mike and me as well. Then it’s back to New York.”
“And then? I know, I know, after the slammer, it’s the Man. Okay, I can do that.” He flashed a big smile. “Within reason, of course.” Nicholas paid for breakfast and they went to see Commander Dendritte. They made a date to come speak to the higher-ups in the Parisian Sûreté. Mike and Nicholas watched brother and sister follow the commander, Adam’s arm slung around Sophie’s shoulders. He turned and mouthed Thank you to Nicholas and gave him a thumbs-up.
Nicholas smiled down at Mike. “They’ll both be okay now.”
“Now that I’ve had sustenance, I need sleep, at least until we have to report in for more talk, talk, talk.”
“I do as well.”
Mike said, “And then we debrief for Zachery, and, and, and—”
Nicholas took her hand. “All of that, but sleep first. Where shall we go?”
“I was thinking of a little pension, maybe a bit on the seedy side, with no hot water—”
He laughed. “Do you think instead you could put up with a shabby two-bedroom suite at the Ritz?”
She slowly nodded. “Well, if you insist. I remember I liked that place okay—especially the soft bed.”
91
Early the next morning they were eating breakfast and watching the continuing media frenzy about Alfie Stanford’s and Oliver Leyland’s murders on the BBC when Mike’s cell rang.
“It’s Zachery.”
Nicholas groaned. “I knew he’d have more questions, but now? It’s midnight in New York. Doesn’t the man sleep?”
“He probably wants us to get ourselves back to New York today. Hello, sir. It’s a lovely midnight in New York, right?”
“No, it’s raining. Listen, you two,” Zachery said. “As you know, the world press is going nuts with all that’s happened. But since that isn’t your problem you will simply say to anyone who asks that you have absolutely no comment.”
Mike met Nicholas’s eye. “Yes, sir, we know nothing at all.”
“Good. Now, I have to tell you there is still no sign of Edward Weston. He appears to have disappeared off the face of the earth. Our agencies are beginning to believe Havelock killed him and buried him deep. No one knows.”
Nicholas wished it were true, but he didn’t believe it. “No, sir, I know to my boots he’s out there somewhere. And he’s got money, from where, I don’t know, but he’s waiting, that’s all.”
“Well, perhaps you’re right. You’ll be pleased to know you have three governments who are very happy with you right now. And one who is rather peeved.”
“The Germans?” Nicholas asked.
“How’d you guess? They’re claiming the gold belonged to Kaiser Wilhelm and want it back. I hear they’re cheering in Scotland, claiming all that gold belongs to them, right of salvage.”
Nicholas said, “Well, it’s going to cost big bucks to clean up the pollution caused by Havelock’s blowing up the Gravitania.”
“I haven’t heard Scotland use that argument yet, they’ve all still got golden bars before their eyes. In any case, it’s not your problem.”
Nicholas said, “Oh, yes, have you seen to Adam Pearce?”
“Yes. He’s agreed to our terms, so all is good in nerd land. Well done, you two. Both of you have done a wonderful job. You and Mike get back here pronto. The director wants to know what exactly happened to his plane.”
Nicholas said, “Does that mean no SIRT review?”
Zachery laughed. “No, there will still be an inquiry, for you both, but I’m sure we’ll find a way to make it as painless as possible.” Zachery laughed again. “When you save the world, those things happen.”
“We’ll catch a plane this afternoon. Any chance of a ride home?”
