I forgive you for holding a knife to my throat. But it’s going to take me some time to forgive you for thinking that I might have done something careless to lead a killer to your colleague.” Harry took a gulp of his Red Label whiskey. He was dressed in immaculate casual business attire and had one leg loosely resting over the other. He replaced the whiskey glass on the table beside him and wagged a finger at Will. “Mistrusting a man is one thing. Believing him to be stupid is another thing altogether.”
It was the evening now, and Will had been in London for three hours. He was sitting with Harry in the bar at Park Lane’s Dorchester Hotel.
“How long are you in town?” Will took a small sip of his own whiskey.
“Just one night and one day.” Harry brushed a hand over his trousers. “I have a very large shipment deal, and the paperwork can only be arranged here.” He grinned. “Discreetly arranged here.”
Will nodded. “Would the shipment be armaments and their destination somewhere dubious?”
Harry rubbed his hands together rapidly and smiled mischievously. “You’re not a secret policeman, are you, Charles?”
“No, I don’t think I’d make a very good policeman, secret or otherwise.”
Harry uncrossed his legs and leaned in close. His voice was a near whisper. “True. And they wouldn’t have someone like you in their ranks, would they? Not someone who has your kind of problems.” He pulled back quickly while chuckling and then clapped his hands together. “Now, I think I have something for you,” he boomed.
“Am I going to be impressed?”
Harry’s eyes narrowed. “I hope so. You asked me to find a man, and I have done so. The defense attaché at the Iranian embassy in Zagreb. He’s an IRGC officer.”
Will nodded in appreciation. “How long has he been posted there?”
“Sixteen months. It’s his first posting in Europe.” Harry widened his eyes, and the look in them seemed expectant. “He’s only regular IRGC, mind you—a major in their army, nothing unusual. I believe that is what you wanted?”
“It is. What’s his function?”
Harry reached for his drink. “He’s doing what a regular DA in his position should be doing: schmoozing with the Croatian military, trying to persuade them to sell military equipment to the Iranians or maybe buy from them, and most likely drinking with them until the wee hours.”
“Age?”
“Thirty-one.”
Will resisted the urge to smile. The man’s profile was perfect for what he needed. His age was an additional bonus, as it could mean that the man was still eager to prove his worth to his superiors in Tehran. “That is very good, Harry. Very good indeed.”
Harry grinned widely again. “See, I knew I could be a valuable asset to you.” He pointed a finger at Will. “Hey, the woman Lana—have you spoken to her yet?”
Will lifted his drink. “If I use her, she will be oblivious to the fact that she is working for British intelligence.”
Harry nodded and chuckled again. “I like the way you work.” He finished his whiskey and checked his watch. “Well, unless there’s anything else we need to cover, an old man requires his bed. I’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
“There’s nothing else right now.” Will reached out and placed a hand over Harry’s watch. “But I need you to stay in touch with me. I need you and your contacts to keep eyes and ears open for any sign of Qods Force activity in Central Europe. Anything at all, even if it’s just rumor.”
“Of course.” Harry placed his own hand on top of Will’s fingers, the mischievous look on his face having returned. “Of course.” He grinned even wider and laughed harshly as he broke Will’s grip and stood. “I do forgive you for holding a knife to me. But you should know that I never make threats. If I ever have cause to put a knife against your throat, the next thing you will feel is unimaginable pain as my blade slices through your life.”
“I don’t think so, Harry.” He smiled and regarded Lace. He saw the man’s humor, his deviousness, his business-sharp intellect, and his wisdom. He also saw hope and sorrow in the man’s eyes. He saw a man he could not help but like. He nodded. “I, too, never give threats, but I do give warnings to those I feel are capable of redemption. Remember that, Harry. Because I have just warned you.”