Snare of the Hunter Read Online Free PDF Page B

David. “Then I called on Hugh and enlisted him for the battle. He has connections, knows ways and means.”
    “You were really desperate,” McCulloch said, smiling.
    “No results with George Sylvester?” David asked.
    “Yes and no. He had sent Irina’s note to Kusak, but he wouldn’t give me Kusak’s address. Said he didn’t know it: he only knew the first step in a series of contacts that led to Kusak. And there had been a lot of interest among Sylvester’s friends in the intelligence field, but they suggested I should do the job myself. Funny fellows. The last time I was in Czechoslovakia, I left with rumours chasing me out. I’m definitely on the Czech blacklist. Of course I had no actual connection with any intelligence agency, but the Czechs were paranoiac about that.”
    “And still are,” murmured McCulloch.
    “Anyway,” said Bohn, walking up and down the kitchen, getting into full stride as it were, “Sylvester was helpful on three points. One: Kusak wanted to see his daughter—her note was authentic, all right: he had identified her handwriting. Two: if I could arrange Irina’s escape beyond Vienna, Sylvester would arrange Kusak’s appearance. And three: Kusak authorised him to pay expenses, drawing on Kusak’s royalties.”
    “Expenses will be kept down,” McCulloch said. “I’m going on business to Geneva anyway. And Jo Corelli also is on a business trip—to Vienna. And Walter Krieger is about to return to Austria, which he visits frequently. So we pay most of our own way. The extra costs will come from a car, or travel expenditures by Irina and Mr. Mennery. That is, if Mr. Mennery is going?”
    David said, “Who are Jo Corelli and Walter Krieger?”
    “We are all friends of Jaromir Kusak. It is as simple as that.”
    “They all know their way around,” Bohn assured David. They know the score.”
    David drew a deep breath. “What do you want me to do?”
    “Well, well,” said Bohn. “Let’s all drink to that.” He went over to the Welsh dresser for two more brandy snifters.
    “I’ll give you the details on the plane tomorrow,” McCulloch told David. “What’s your flight by the way? Got the particulars?” He took out a small diary and pencil from his inner pocket. “I suppose you’re taking the direct route to Vienna, touching down at Amsterdam?”
    David looked startled. He nodded, gave time of departure, flight number, and space. These were details he always memorised, just in case of a misplaced ticket. “But isn’t that a risk—I mean, if you and I take the same flight and are seen talking?” He foundered slightly.
    “Why shouldn’t I take that flight? Or Jo? Or Krieger? We’re pressed for time, and you’ve got to be able to know them again. What is a quicker way? I’ll talk with you. I’ll point them out. That’s all. Don’t worry. Not even one of Jiri Hrádek’s agents could possibly tie us together, not at this stage.”
    “Jiri Hrádek?”
    “Chief aide to the head of state security in Czechoslovakia. That means secret police. Gestapo powers.” McCulloch hesitated. “He was Irina’s husband.”
    There was a brief silence. “Irina’s mother could certainly pick them, couldn’t she?” Bohn remarked. “Hrádek is in line for the top spot in security.” He studied David with a touch of amusement “Want to back out?”
    McCulloch was annoyed, and let it show. “Stop fooling, Mark. Or else we’ll forget some important point.” He turned to David. “When can you be in Vienna?”
    “By the second of August.”
    “No sooner?”
    “No.”
    “And how long could you stay there? There may be delays.”
    “Until the twentieth.” And goodbye to Bayreuth, Lucerne, and Edinburgh.
    “All right I’ll pass your dates on to Krieger, let him play around with them. He’s making the Vienna arrangements.”
    “When do you want me there?” Bohn asked.
    “Krieger will let you know if that’s necessary.”
    “Of course it’s necessary,” Bohn said