A Matter of Honor

When the ringing stopped, he immediately said, “Is that you, Lawrence?”

“Yes,” came back the reply.

“Things have become much worse now. I’m still holed up in the hotel, but my picture is on the front page of every paper”

“I know,” said Lawrence. “We tried to prevent it, but yet again the Swiss wouldn’t cooperate.”

“Then I may as well give myself up to the Swiss,” said Adam. “Damn it all, I am innocent.”

“No, Adam, in Switzerland you’re guilty until proven innocent, and you must have worked out by now that you’re involved in something far more important than a double murder.”

“What could be more important than a double murder when the rest of the world thinks you’re the murderer?” asked Adam angrily.

“I can understand exactly how you feel, but your only chance now is to carry out my instructions to the letter and treat every other person you come in contact with with suspicion.”

“I’m listening,” said Adam.

“Just remember everything I say because I am only going to tell you once. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is staying in the same hotel as you. They are going on to Frankfurt at ten o’clock this morning. Leave your room at five to ten, join the orchestra in the lobby, and then make your way to the front door, where you’ll find their coach parked. We will have a car waiting for you on the far side of the road. The car is a black Mercedes, and you will see a man in gray chauffeur’s uniform holding the door open for you. We have already arranged that no other car will be able to park on that side of the road between nine-thirty and ten-thirty, so you can’t mistake it. Just get into the back and wait. There will be another man in the back with you, and you will then be driven to the safety of our consulate. Do you need me to repeat any of that?”

“No,” said Adam, “but …”

“Good luck,” said Lawrence, and the phone went dead.

By seven he had showered and shaved, while Robin remained unrepentant in a deep sleep. He envied her; only a twig had to break outside and Adam was wide awake. Two years of living in the Malayan jungle, never knowing when the Chinese would strike, never being able to sleep for more than two or three hours at a time if one wanted to stay alive, still kept its hold on him.

Robin did not stir for another thirty minutes, during which time Adam sat on the sofa and went over Lawrence’s plan in his mind. At ten to eight she finally woke, even then taking several minutes before she was fully conscious. Robin blinked at Adam, and a large grin appeared on her face.

“So you didn’t murder me while I slept,” she said.

“I don’t think you’d have noticed if I had,” said Adam.

“When your father is a habitual drunk and comes home at all hours of the night, you learn to sleep through anything,” she explained, placing both feet firmly on the carpet. “Aren’t you meant to have phoned London by now?”

“I already have.”

“And what is the master plan to be?” she asked, rubbing her eyes on her way to the bathroom.

“I will be leaving with you,” said Adam.

“Most of my one-night stands don’t bother to stay that long,” she remarked as she closed the bathroom door behind her. He tried to read the paper while the bath was filling up.

“Does that mean we’re sharing a room in Frankfurt as well?” she asked a few minutes later when the bathroom door reopened, as if the conversation had never been interrupted.

“No, as soon as we’re clear of the hotel I leave you at the coach and make my own way to a car on the far side of the road.”

“That sounds more like the men in my life,” she said. “But at least we can have a farewell breakfast,” she added, picking up the phone. “I’m nuts about kippers. How about you?”

Adam didn’t answer. He had begun looking at his watch every few moments. The waiter arrived with breakfast about fifteen minutes later; Adam waited in the bathroom. When he reappeared he showed no interest in the food, so Robin ate four kippers and most of the toast. Nine o’clock passed; a porter took away the breakfast trolley, and Robin began to pack. The phone rang and Adam jumped nervously as Robin picked it up.

“Yes, Stephen,” she said. “No, I won’t need any help with my luggage. Not this time.” She put the phone down. “We depart for Frankfurt at ten.”

“I know,” said Adam.

“We ought to make Lawrence the orchestra manager. He seems to know everything even before it’s been decided.” Adam had been thinking the same thing. “Well, at least I’ve found someone to help with my luggage for a change,” added Robin cheerfully.

“I’ll carry the double bass for you if you like,” offered Adam.

“I’d like to see you try,” said Robin. Adam walked over to the large instrument that was propped up in its case against the wall. He tried the double bass from all angles but couldn’t manage to do better than hold it off the floor for a few moments. Robin joined him, and with one flick she had the stem on her shoulder and the instrument balanced perfectly. She walked up and down the bedroom demonstrating her prowess.