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conclusions.

    In Their Footsteps
    47
    “This isn’t possible,” she said.
    “It’s what they found. A briefcase with classified NATO
    files. Allied weapons data. It was in the garret, where their bodies were discovered. Bernard had those files with him when he died—files that shouldn’t have been out of the embassy building.”
    “How do you know he took them?”
    “He had access, Beryl. He was our Intelligence liaison to NATO. For months, Allied documents were showing up in East German hands, delivered to them by someone they code-named Delphi. We knew we had a mole, but we couldn’t identify him—until those papers were found with Bernard’s body.”
    “And you think Dad was Delphi,” said Jordan.
    “No, that’s what French Intelligence concluded. I couldn’t believe it, but I also couldn’t dispute the facts.” For a moment, Beryl and Jordan sat in silence, dismayed by the weight of the evidence.
    “You don’t really believe it, Uncle Hugh?” said Beryl softly. “That Dad was the one?”
    “I couldn’t argue with the findings. And it would explain their deaths. Perhaps they knew they were on the verge of being discovered. Disgraced. So Bernard took the gentleman’s way out. He would, you know. Death before dishonor.” Uncle Hugh sank back in the chair and wearily ran his fingers through his gray hair. “I tried to keep the report as quiet as possible,” he said. “The search for Delphi was halted. I myself had a few sticky years in MI6. Brother of a traitor and all, can we trust him, that sort of thing. But then, it was forgotten. And I went on with my career. I think…I think it was because no one at MI6 could quite believe the report. That Bernard had gone to the other side.” 48
    Tess Gerritsen
    “I don’t believe it, either,” said Beryl.
    Uncle Hugh looked at her. “Nevertheless—”
    “I won’t believe it. It’s a fabrication. Someone at MI6, covering up the truth—”
    “Don’t be ridiculous, Beryl.”
    “Mum and Dad can’t defend themselves! Who else will speak up for them?”
    “Your loyalty’s commendable, darling, but—”
    “And where’s your loyalty?” she retorted. “He was your brother!”
    “I didn’t want to believe it.”
    “Then did you confirm that evidence? Did you discuss it with French Intelligence?”
    “Yes, and I trusted Daumier’s report. He’s a thorough man.”
    “Daumier?” queried Jordan. “Claude Daumier? Isn’t he chief of their Paris operations?”
    “At the time, he was their liaison to MI6. I asked him to review the findings. He came to the same conclusions.”
    “Then this Daumier fellow is an idiot,” said Beryl. She turned to the door. “And I’m going to tell him so myself.”
    “Where are you going?” asked Jordan.
    “To pack my things,” she said. “Are you coming, Jordan?”
    “Pack?” said Hugh. “Where in blazes are you headed?” Beryl threw a glance over her shoulder. “Where else,” she answered, “but Paris?”
    Richard Wolf got the call at six that morning. “They are booked on a noon flight to Paris,” said Claude Daumier.
    “It seems, my friend, that someone has pried open a rather nasty can of worms.”

    In Their Footsteps
    49
    Still groggy with sleep, Richard sat up in bed and gave his head a shake. “What are you talking about, Claude?
    Who’s flying to Paris?”
    “Beryl and Jordan Tavistock. Hugh has just called me.
    I think this is not a good development.” Richard collapsed back on his pillow. “They’re adults, Claude,” he said, yawning. “If they want to jet off to Paris—”
    “They are coming to find out about Bernard and Madeline.”
    Richard closed his eyes and groaned. “Oh, wonderful, just what we need.”
    “My sentiments precisely.”
    “Can’t Hugh talk them out of it?”
    “He tried. But this niece of his…” Daumier sighed.
    “You have met her. So you would understand.” Yes, Richard knew exactly how stubborn Miss Beryl Tavistock could be. Like