“We had nothing to do with it.”
“Uzi, please.”
“You have to believe me, Werner. It wasn’t us.”
“We have evidence.”
“Like what?”
“One of the members of your hit team. The tall one,” Werner Schwarz persisted. “The one who looks like a cadaver. He helped Allon with that little problem at the Stadttempel a few years ago, and Allon was foolish enough to send him back to Vienna to take care of the Russian. You would have never made a mistake like that, Uzi. You were always very cautious.”
Navot ignored Werner’s flattery. “Our officers were present that night,” he admitted, “but not for the reason you think. The Russian was working for us. He was in the process of defecting when he was killed.”
Werner Schwarz smiled. “How long did it take you and Allon to come up with that one?”
“You didn’t actually see the assassination, did you, Werner?”
“There were no cameras at that end of the street, which is why you chose it. The ballistics evidence proves conclusively the operative on the motorcycle was the one who pulled the trigger.” Werner Schwarz paused, then added, “My condolences, by the way.”
“None necessary. He wasn’t ours.”
“He’s sitting on a slab in the central morgue. Do you really intend to leave him there?”
“He’s of no concern to us. Do with him what you please.”
“Oh, we are.”
The proprietor appeared and took their order as the last of the three luncheon parties made their way noisily toward the door. Beyond the windows of the dining room the Vienna Woods were beginning to darken. It was the quiet time, the time Werner Schwarz liked best. Navot filled his wineglass. Then, with no warning or explanation, he spoke a name.
Werner Schwarz raised an eyebrow. “What about him?”
“Know him?”
“Only by reputation.”
“And what’s that?”
“A fine officer who serves his country’s interests here in Vienna professionally and in accordance with our wishes.”
“Which means he makes no attempt to target the Austrian government.”
“Or our citizenry. Therefore, we let him go about his work unmolested. For the most part,” Werner Schwarz added.
“You keep an eye on him?”
“When resources permit. We’re a small service.”
“And?”
“He’s very good at his job. But in my experience, they usually are. Deception seems to come naturally to them.”
“No crimes or misdemeanors? No personal vices?”
“The occasional affair,” said Werner Schwarz.
“Anyone in particular?”
“He got himself involved with the wife of an American consular officer a couple of years ago. It caused quite a row.”
