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her.
    “Oh, God, David, I hadn't thought of all that.” She stopped in sudden dismay. “What if I'm not up to it?”
    “ Dear, dear Kate,” I laughed, “if anyone could ever be up to it, it'll be Katherine Fletcher. There isn't a person in the world who can rise to an occasion better than you. You'll be fine – no, take that back – you'll be magnificent. I know you, remember?”
    The exhilaration returned, along with an intensity.
    “I'll give it everything I've got, David. I'm determined to be the best Antigone there ever was. Will you come to see it?”
    “ Just try to keep me away! Of course I will. Isn't that what 'parents' are supposed to do?”
    I smiled at one of our 'in' jokes. Kate had a mercurial swing down to pensive.
    “Hah!” she snorted, “parent, my fanny.”
    She hugged me tenderly, then leaned back, still holding me, and looked at me in a way she had never done before. When she began to speak, her voice was soft.
    “David,” she began, “I think it's about time we…” and at that moment her phone rang.
    She stopped, gave me a wry little smile, saying “I guess it'll have to keep,” as she ran off to take the call.
    Probably just as well, I thought, and yet there was a twinge of disappointment. It was hard playing 'dad' when deep down you really didn't want to.
    When she came back the mood was broken, and Kate seemed a little deflated.
    “ Anything wrong, Kate?” I queried.
    “ Oh, no, nothing really. It was Mom and Dad, and sometimes I realize just how much I miss them. They were calling from Gibraltar. Dad has to attend a meeting in Algeria, and Mom's going with him.”
    “ What's the meeting about?”
    “ Oh, probably about oil – that's what he's involved in. They were thrilled about my news of the play. Dad said that they'd get here for it next month. They've been wonderful, David. They've believed in me and encouraged me to follow my instincts. If I make it, it'll be because of them and their faith in me.”
    “ Kate, let me take you out to dinner to celebrate.”
    She brightened considerably.
    “Yes, please, David – I'd like that very much.”
    *
    Paris , France – the same day
     
    He had been waiting only a few hours, but already he was becoming frustrated with inactivity. He had begun thinking of a way to get one of the streetwalkers in for some diversion, but how to do it without leaving the apartment or placing an incriminating call was the problem. Who knows how he might want to end a sexual encounter with a whore?
    The thought was exciting him, causing him to sweat even more. The telephone ring ended his fantasy.
    “Yes?”
    “ I've just heard from our friend in London. You are to fly to Gibraltar within the hour. A charter has been arranged with L'Aviation Petit France from Le Bourget. You will be met there with full instructions, including the contacts in Gibraltar. You must not fail. Do you understand?”
    “ Perfectly.”
    Within fifteen seconds he was out the door.
    *
    London , England – the same day
     
    There was a wonderful Indian restaurant at Notting Hill Gate which we often visited. The food was subtle, delicious, and inexpensive.
    We shared several dishes – a sag gosht, a beef vindaloo, and a mild vegetable curry, with a saffron-flavoured pilau rice that was out of this world. But what always made the meal were the beautiful puffed puris and the dahl, which was second to none in all of London. This was washed down with cold lager, and topped off with a home-made natural yogurt sprinkled with sugar.
    Over the meal we talked about Kate's forthcoming play, about the doors it might open for her, and about her love of the theatre and acting. She was bubbling over, but tonight I was unable to match her enthusiasm. The stress of the day was weighing me down. I could almost forget about Colonel Hammond and Vladimir Nalishkin, but they refused to go away completely. I could sense them both trying to intrude on my peace of mind.
    I made a decision. Let them