"Try for it in half an hour. Ask for Lord Worth. Emphasize the urgency. If you don't contact him, try again every twenty minutes. You have a direct line to the study?"

"Yes.1'

'Til be there. I have to welcome the law."

Alia*air MaeLean Lord Worth, still happily unaware of his disintegrating world, slept soundly. The Boeing, at thirty-three thousand feet, was just beginning its descent to Dulles Airport.

lift

Chapter 5.

Worth, a gla.s.s of scotch in one hand and an illegal Cuban cigar in the other, was comfortably ensconced in a deep armchair in the very plush office of the a.s.sistant Secretary of State, He should have been contented and relaxed: he was, in fact, highly discontented and completely unrelaxed. He was becoming mad, steadily and far from slowly, at the world in general and at the four other people in that room in particular.

The four consisted of Howell, the a.s.sistant Secretary, a tall, thin, keen-faced man with steel-framed gla.s.ses who looked like, and in fact was, 117.

Alistair a Yale professor. The second was his personal a.s.sistant, whose name, fittingly enough, Lord Worth had failed to catch, for he had about him the gray anonymity of a top-flight civil servant. The third was Lieutenant-General Zweicker, and all that could be said about him was that he looked every inch a general. The fourth was a middle-aged stenographer who appeared to take notes of the discussion whenever the mood struck her, which didn't appear to be very often: most likely, long experience had taught her that most of what was said at any conference wasn't worth noting anyway.

Lord Worth said: *Tm a very tired man who has just flown up from the Gulf of Mexico. I have spent twenty-five minutes here and appear to have wasted my time. Well, gentlemen, I have no intention of wasting my time. My time is as important as yours. Correction. It's a d.a.m.n sight more important. 'The big brush-off,' I believe it's called."

"How can you call it a brush-off? You're sitting in my office and General Zweicker is here. How many other citizens rate that kind of treatment?"

"The bigger the facade, the bigger the brush-off. I am not accustomed to dealing with underlings. I am accustomed to dealing with the very top, which I haven't quite reached yet, but will. The cool, diplomatic, deep-freeze treatment will not work. I am no troublemaker, but Til go any 118.

lengths to secure justice. You can't sweep me under your diplomatic carpet, Mr. Howell. I told you recently that there were international threats against the Seawitch, and you chose either to disbelieve me or ignore me. I come to you now with additional proof that I am threatened-three naval vessels heading for the Seawitch-and still you propose to take no action. And I would point out, incidentally, if you still don't know independently of the movements of those vessels, then it's time you got yourselves a new intelligence service."

General Zweicker said: "We are aware of those movements. But as yet we see no justification for taking any kind of action. You have no proof that what you claim is true. Suspicions, no more. Do you seriously expect us to alert naval units and a squadron of fighter-bombers on the unproven and what may well be the unfounded suspicions of a private citizen?"

"That's it in a nutsh.e.l.l," Howell said. "And I would remind you, Lord Worth, that you're not even an American citizen."

" 'Not even an American citizen.' " He turned to the stenographer. "I trust you made a note of that." He lifted his hand as Howell made to speak. "Too late, Howell. Too late to retrieve your blunder-a blunder, I may say, of cla.s.sical proportions. Not an American citizen? I would point out that I paid more taxes last year than all your precious oil companies in the States 119.

All stair MaeLean combined-this apart from supplying the cheapest oil to the United States. If the level of competence of the State Department is typical of the way this country is run, then I can only rejoice in the fact that I still retain a British pa.s.sport. One law for Americans, another for the heathen beyond the pale. Even-handed justice. 'Not an American citizen.' This should make a particularly juicy tidbit for the news conference I" intend to hold immediately after I leave."

"A news conference?" HoweU- betrayed unmistakable signs of agitation, "Certainly." Lord Worth's tone was as grim as his face. "If you people won't protect me, then, by G.o.d, Til protect myself."

Howell looked at the general, then back to Lord Worth. He strove to inject an official and intimidating note into his voice. "I would remind you that any discussions that take place here are strictly confidential."

Lord Worth eyed him coldly. "It's always sad to see a man who has missed his true vocation. You should have been a comedian, Howell, not a senior member of government. Confidential. That's good. How can you remind me of something you never even mentioned before? Confidential. If there wasn't a lady present Fd tell you what I really think of your asinine remark. G.o.d, it's rich, a statement like that coming from the number two in a government department with so splendid a record of leaking state secrets to 120.

muckraking journalists, doubless in return for a suitable quid pro quo. I cannot abide hypocrisy. And this makes another juicy tidbit for the press conference-the State Department tried to gag me. Cla.s.sical blunder number two, Howell."

Howell said nothing. He looked as if he were considering the advisability of wringing his hands.

"I shall inform the press conference of the indecision, reluctance, inaction, incompetence and plain running-scared vacillation of a State Department which will be responsible for the loss of a hundred-million-dollar oil rig, the stopping of cheap supplies of fuel to the American people, the biggest oil slick in history, and the possible-no, I would say probable-beginnings of a third major war. In addition to holding this news conference, I shall buy TV and radio time, explain the whole situation, and further explain that I am forced to go to those extraordinary lengths because of the refusal and inability of the State Department to protect me." He paused. "That was rather silly of me. I have my own TV and radio stations. It's going to be such a burning-hot topic that the big three companies will jump at it and it won't cost me a cent. By tonight I'll have the name of the State Department, particularly the names of you and your boss, if not exactly blackened, at least tarnished across the country. I'm a desperate man, gentle- 121.

Alislair MacLean men, and I'm prepared to adopt desperate methods."

He paused for their reactions. Facially they were all he could have wished. Howell, his a.s.sistant and the general all too clearly realized that Lord Worth meant every word he said. The implications were too horrendous to contemplate, But no one said anything, so Lord Worth took up the conversational burden again.

"Finally, gentlemen, you base your pusillanimous refusal to act on the fact that I have no proof of evil intent. I do, in fact, possess such proof, and it's cast iron. I will not lay this proof before you because it is apparent that I will achieve nothing here. I require a decision-maker, and the Secretary has the reputation for being just that. I suggest you get him here."

"Get the Secretary?" HowelTs ears were clearly appalled by this suggested l$se majeste. "One doesn't 'get' the Secretary. People make appointments days, even weeks, in advance. Besides, he is in a very important conference."

Lord Worth remained unmoved. "Get him. This conference he'd better have with me will be the most important of his life. If he elects not to come, then he's probably holding the last conference of his political career. I know he's not twenty yards from here. Get him." "I-I don't really think-" Lord Worth rose. "I hope your immediate successors-and the operative word is 'immedi- 122.

Seawith ate'-win, for the country's sake, display more common sense and intestinal fort.i.tude than you have. Tell the man who, through your gross negligence and cowardly refusal to face facts, will be held primarily responsible for the outbreak of the next war, to watch TV tonight. You have had your chance-as your stenographer's notebook will show-and you've thrown it away." Lord Worth shook his head, almost in sadness. "There are none so blind as those who will not see- especially a spluttering fuse leading to a keg of dynamite. I bid you good day, gentlemen."

"No! No!" Howell was in a state of very considerable agitation. "Sit down! Sit down! I'll see what I can do."

He practically ran from the room.

During his rather protracted absence-he was gone for exactly thirteen minutes-conversation in the room was minimal.

Zweicker said: "You really mean what you say, don't you?"

"Do you doubt me, General?"

"Not any more. You really intend to carry out those threats?"

"I think the word you want is 'promises/ "

After this effective conversation-stopper an uncomfortable silence fell on the room. Only Lord Worth appeared hi no way discomforted. He was, or appeared to be, calm and relaxed, which was quite a feat, because he knew that the 123.

appearance or nonappearance of the Secretary meant whether he had won or lost.

He'd won. The Secretary, John Benton, when Howell nervously ushered him in, didn't look at all like his reputation-which was that of a tough, shrewd-minded, hard-nosed negotiator, ruthless when the situation demanded and not much given to consulting his cabinet colleagues when it came to decision-making. He looked like a prosperous farmer and exuded warmth and geniality-which deceived Lord Worth, a man who specialized in warmth and geniality not a whit. Here, indeed, was a very different kettle of fish from Howell, a man worthy of Lord Worth's mettle. Lord Worth rose.

Benton shook his hand warmly. "Lord Worth! This is a rare privilege-to have, if I may be forgiven the unoriginal turn of speech, to have America's top oil tyc.o.o.n calling on us."

Lord Worth was courteous but not deferential. "I wish it were under happier circ.u.mstances. My pleasure, Mr. Secretary. It's most kind of you to spare a few moments. Well, five minutes, no more. My promise."

"Take as long as you like." Benton smiled. "You have the reputation for not bandying words. I happen to share that sentiment."

'Thank you." He looked at Howell. "Thirteen minutes to cover forty yards." He looked back at the Secretary. "Mr. Howell will have-ah- apprised you of the situation?"

124.

"I have been fairly well briefed. What do you require of us?" Lord Worth refrained from beaming: here was a man after his own heart. John Benton continued: "We can, of course, approach the Soviet and Venezuelan amba.s.sadors, but that's like approaching a pair of powderpuffs. All they can do is report our suspicions and veiled threats to their respective governments. They're powerless, really. Even ten years ago amba.s.sadors carried weight. They could negotiate and make decisions. Not any more. They have become, through no fault of their own, faceless and empty people who are consistently bypa.s.sed in state-to-state negotiations. Even their second chauffeurs, who are customarily trained espionage agents, wield vastly more power than the amba.s.sadors themselves.

"Alternatively, we can make a direct approach to the governments concerned. But for that we would have to have proof. Your word doesn't come into question, but it's not enough. We must be able to adduce positive proof of, shall we say, nefarious intent."

Lord Worth replied immediately. "Such proof I can adduce and can give you the outline now. I am extremely reluctant to name names because it will mean the end of a professional career of a friend of mine. But if I have to, that I will do. Whether I release those names to you or to the public will depend entirely upon the department's reaction. If I can't receive a promise of action 125.

Altstair MaeLean after I have given you this outline, then I have * no recourse other than to approach the public. This is not blackmail. Tin in a corner and the only solution is to fight my way out of it. If you will, as I hope you will, give me a favorable reaction, I shall, of course, give you a list of names, which, I would hope, will not be published by your department. Secrecy, in other words. Not, of course, that this will prevent you from letting-loose the FBI the moment I board my helicopter out there."

"The great warm heart of the American public versus the incompetent b.u.mbling of the State Department." Benton smiled. "One begins to understand why you are a millionaire-I do apologize, billionaire."

"Earlier this week a highly secret meeting was held in a lakeside resort out west. Ten people, all of them very senior oilmen, attended this meeting. Four were Americans, representing many of the major oil companies in the States. A fifth was from Honduras. A sixth was from Venezuela, a seventh from Nigeria. Numbers eight and nine were oil sheikhs from the Gulf. The last was from the Soviet Union. As he was the only one there who had no interest whatsoever hi the flow of oil into the United States, one can only presume that he was there to stir up as much trouble as possible."

Lord Worth looked around at the five people ixe in the room. That he had their collective ear was beyond dispute. Satisfied, he continued.

"The meeting had one purpose and one only in mind. To stop me and to stop me at all costs. More precisely, they wanted to stop the flow of oil from the Seawitch-that is the name of my oil rig-because I was considerably undercutting them in price and thereby raising all sorts of fiscal problems. If there are any rules or ethics in the oil business I have as yet to detect any. I believe your congressional investigative committees agree one hundred per cent with me on that. Incidentally, North Hudson-that's the official name of my company-has never been investigated.

"The only permanent way to stop the flow of oil is to destroy the Seawitch. Halfway through the meeting they called in a professional trouble-shooter, a man whom I know well, and a highly dangerous man at that. For reasons I won't explain until I get some sort of guarantee of help, he has a deep and bitter grudge against me. He also happens-just coincidentally, of course-to be one of the world's top experts, if not the very top, on the use of high explosives.

"After the meeting this troubleshooter called aside the Venezuelan and Soviet delegates and asked for naval cooperation. This he was guaranteed.'* Lord Worth looked at the company with a singular lack of enthusiasm. "Now perhaps you people will believe me.

127.

"I would add that this man so hates me that he would probably do the job for nothing. However, he has asked for-and got-a fee of a million dollars. He also asked for-and got- ten million dollars' 'operating expenses.' What does ten million dollars mean to you-except the unlimited use of violence?"

"Preposterous! Incredible!" The Secretary shook his head. "It has, of course, to be true. You are singularly well-informed, Lord Worth. You would appear to have an intelligence service to rival our own."

"Better. I pay them more. This oil business is a jungle and it's a case of survival of the most devious."

"Industrial espionage?"

"Most certainly not." It was just possible that Lord Worth actually believed this.

"This friend who may be coming to the end of his-"

"Yes."

"Give me all the details, including a list of the names. Put a cross against the name of your friend. I shall see to it that he is not implicated and that only I will see that list."

"You are very considerate, Mr. Secretary."

"In return I shall consult with Defense and the Pentagon." He paused. "Even that will not be necessary. In return I can personally guarantee you a sufficiency of air and sea cover against any normal or even considerable hazard."

128.

Lord Worth didn't doubt him. Benton had the reputation of being a man of unshakable integrity. More important, he had the justly deserved reputation of being the President's indispensable right-hand man. Benton delivered. Lord Worth decided against showing too much relief.

"I cannot tell you how deeply grateful I am." He looked at the stenographer and then at Howell. "If I could borrow this lady's services-"

"Of course." The stenographer turned a fresh page in her notebook and waited expectantly.

Lord Worth said: "The place-Lake Tahoe, California. The address-"

The telephone jangled. The stenographer gave Lord Worth an "excuse me" smile and picked up the handset. Howell said to the Secretary: "Dammit, I gave the strictest instructions-"

"It's for Lord Worth." She was looking at Benton. "A Mr. Mitch.e.l.l from Florida. Extremely urgent." The Secretary nodded and the stenographer rose and handed the phone to Lord Worth.

"Michael? How did you know I was here . . . Yes, I'm listening."

He listened without interruption. As he did so, to the considerable consternation of those watching him, the color drained from his tanned cheeks and left them an unhealthy sallow color. It was Benton himself who rose, poured out a brandy and brought it across to Lord Worth, who took it blindly and drained the not incon- 129.

Allstair MaeLean siderable contents at a gulp. Benton took the gla.s.s from him and went for a refill. When he came back Lord Worth took the drink but left it untouched. Instead he handed the instrument to Benton and held his left hand over Ms now screwed-shut eyes.

Benton spoke into the phone. "State Department. Who's speaking?"

Mitch.e.l.l's voice was faint but clear. "Michael Mitch.e.l.l, from Lord Worth's home. Is that-is that Dr. Benton?"

"Yes. Lord Worth seems to have received a severe shock."

"Yes, sir. His two daughters have been kidnaped."

"Good G.o.d above!" Benton's habitual imperturbability had received a severe dent. No one had even seen him register shock before. Perhaps it was the bluntness of the announcement. "Are you sure?"

"I wish to h.e.l.l I wasn't, sir."

"Who are you?"

"We-my partner John Roomer and I-are private investigators. We are not here in an investigative capacity. We are here because we are neighbors and friends of Lord Worth and his daughters."

"Called the police?"

"Yes."

"What's been done?"

I3O.

"We have arranged for the blocking of all air and sea escape routes."

"You have descriptions?"

"Poor. Five men, heavily armed, wearing stocking masks."

"What's your opinion of the local law?"

"Low."

"I'll call in the FBI."

"Yes, sir. But as the criminals haven't been traced, there's no evidence that they've crossed the state line."

"h.e.l.l with state lines and regulations. If I say they're called in, that's it. Hold on. I think Lord Worth would like another word." Lord Worth took the receiver. Some color had returned to his cheeks.

"I'm leaving now. Less than three hours, I should say. I'll radio from the Boeing half an hour out. Meet me at the airport."

"Yes, sir. Commander La.r.s.en would like to know-"