Read Online Disorderly Elements by Bob Cook - Free Book Online Page B

the US Embassy. She had her speech all ready. ‘Hello,’ she said, ‘I’ve heard all about you. I’ve always wanted to meet you.’ Then she took a good look at me and she said, ‘But Christ, you’re so fuckin’ old!’”
    He exploded into laughter.
    â€œYou know,” he continued, “when I die, I think they’re going to stuff me and put me in the Vatican Museum. I can think of one or two editors who think that should have happened twenty years ago.”
    â€œAre you still writing?” Wyman asked.
    â€œOfficially, I’m retired. I still do an occasional feature for one or two American magazines, but my heart isn’t in it any more.”
    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œNothing really,” Schofield sighed. “I guess I suddenly realized that I’m an old man. It’s taken a lot of getting used to. Like Edith’s death.”
    â€œI was very sorry to hear about that. She was a marvellous lady.”
    â€œShe was a drunken old slut,” said Schofield. “But she had her good points.”
    They finally came to the Via della Scrofa and went into Alfredo’s restaurant. This is one of Rome’s more expensive eating spots, made famous by its excellent food and clientele of international celebrities, whose yellowing photographs adorn Alfredo’s walls. Wyman reflected that if a great deal of MI6 money was going to be spent, at least it wouldn’t be wasted.
    The two men began with an antipasto of melon and Parma ham. Next came a starter of fettucine in a delicate sauce of butter, ham and mushroom, helped on its way with a bottle of Colli Albani , a dry amber wine.
    After this, Wyman ploughed into a large plate of abbacchio , roasted baby lamb, served with a salad of tender greens with an anchovy dressing. Schofield ordered Pollo Alla Diavola and Carciofo Alla Romana (artichoke sautéed with garlic and mint).
    After coffee and a couple of shots of Sambuca , the conversation turned to the purpose of Wyman’s visit.
    â€œSo Mike,” Schofield said, “tell me the big secret. Why are you in Rome?”
    Wyman lit a cigarette and leaned back in his chair. “How much do you remember about the network coding system?”
    â€œA little,” said Schofield, smirking. “More than I should ever have learned in the first place.”
    â€œDo you remember what F-networks were all about?”
    â€œF-networks. Mmmm. Let me see…”
    He paused for reflection and said:
    â€œYeah, I remember. What about it?”
    â€œRecently, an F-network in the DDR was blown. Ordinarily, there’d be nothing to worry about. Such things happen all the time. But on this occasion there was cause for concern because several of the members were blown before the network leader was exposed.”
    â€œJesus!” Schofield exclaimed. “That isn’t supposed to happen.”
    â€œDraw your own conclusions, Frank.”
    Schofield paused once more and looked at Wyman in consternation.
    â€œThat’s very hot shit, Mike.”
    â€œPrecisely. Only three people know about this: myself, the Minister and Owen, my boss.”
    â€œOwen. Little guy, military type? I met him once. Isn’t he a faggot?”
    Wyman smiled.
    â€œI’ve really no idea. Anyway, for obvious reasons, Owen wants it kept quiet until our inquiries have been completed. That’s why he had to put me onto the case. As you can imagine, it’s all very embarrassing for him, seeing that I’m to be made redundant. But he has no choice.”
    Schofield found the irony of this amusing
    â€œAnd you’re the one that’s getting fired? No offence, Mike, but doesn’t it occur to you that the Firm is run by a bunch of incompetent jerks?”
    â€œWe do have an unorthodox way of dealing with things, it must be said.”
    â€œSo how do I fit into all this?”
    â€œI’m supposed to be making inquiries