Read Online Bad Company by Jack Higgins - Free Book Online Page A

through instantly when the guards saw Kate, and drove inside, stopping at the bottom of the huge steps leading up to the entrance.
    Kate turned and said calmly, “Well, here we go, Max. This should be interesting.”
     
    An army colonel, who had presumably been waiting to greet the Baron, rushed forward to kiss Kate’s hand and spoke to her in English.
    “Lady Kate, I’ve heard what happened. It shames us all. Are you all right?”
    It was so strange how English the Iraqi military sounded, the Baron thought. This was another one who’d probably gone to Sandhurst Military Academy.
    “The only problem is the man I had to leave on the pavement, Colonel.”
    “He was a dog who deserved to die for his insult to you. Pavements, Lady Kate, are easily cleaned.”
    “Is he aware of what happened?”
    “His rage was terrible. He has ordered instant police reprisals in Al Rashid Street. Please follow me.”
    There was a sudden wailing of sirens outside, and the lights dimmed at once. The colonel waved a hand and a soldier ran forward with a large hand lamp.
    “It’s an air-raid practice only,” the colonel said. “Our American friends are not giving us much trouble at the moment. This way.”
    They followed him along corridors of marbled splendor. It was an eerie feeling, the darkness closing in, statues on each side seemingly floating out of the gloom, the pool of light from the lamp, the echo of their feet on the marble.
    “Are you all right?” Kate whispered.
    Von Berger said, “I think you might say it’s one of the more remarkable experiences I’ve ever had – and considering I’m the only man you know who was in the Führer Bunker, that’s quite a statement.”
    She laughed. “Oh, I like you, Max. If only-”
    “I was fifty years younger,” he cut in. “But I’m not, so behave yourself.”
    They halted at an ornate door, sentries on either side. The colonel opened it and went in. They waited and a voice rumbled. The colonel was back in a moment.
    “He will see you now.”
     
    Saddam Hussein was seated alone in uniform at a large desk, the only light a shaded lamp. He was signing documents, but looked up and put down his pen, got up and came round the desk to embrace Kate, kissed her on each cheek.
    She said in English, “Baron von Berger doesn’t speak Arabic.”
    Saddam never advertised the fact that he spoke English well, but he turned now. “Baron, I’m outraged that you should be treated in such a fashion.”
    “It was an unfortunate misunderstanding. They thought me an American. I think I was wearing the wrong clothes.”
    Saddam roared with laughter. “I like that. I can understand that.” It was strange how volatile he was, for just as suddenly he frowned and looked down at Kate. “But the insult to you. That is unforgivable. I’ve ordered reprisals. The military police will teach the scum on Al Rashid Street a lesson.”
    “But I did teach them a lesson,” Kate said. “I shot the leader of the mob.”
    “Excellent. That was
your
lesson, and now I teach them
mine.
Come – sit.”
    Which she did and nodded to von Berger, who took the next chair. Saddam passed across to a window and opened the shutters to a terrace. An “All Clear” sounded and he looked across the city. Lights started to come on.
    “We had the Americans and the Brits in the Gulf War, interfering, sticking their nose in Arab business. They fly over the so-called exclusion zones, bomb our installations. War, perhaps, will come again.” He turned. “Which is why you are here, Baron.”
    Max von Berger turned to Kate, and the look on her face said it all. He took a deep breath. “In what way can I help?”
    Kate cut in. “Baron von Berger has access to most armaments. What are you looking for? Stinger missiles?”
    He paced back into the room. “That kind of thing I can get from many resources. What I really need is plutonium.” He turned to von Berger. “My nuclear program is well advanced, but we do need