The Parsifal Mosaic Read Online Free Page A

Havelock, and adjusted his velvet collar; he spoke just loud enough to be heard. “I thought it was you. I’ve been following you since the Rue Bernard.”
    “I know. What do you want?”
    “The question is, What do
you
want? Why are you in Paris? We were given to understand you were no longer active. Quite frankly, you were to be avoided.”
    “And reported immediately if I made contact, right?”
    “Naturally.”
    “But you’re reversing the process. You’ve approached me. That’s a little foolish, isn’t it?”
    “A minor risk worth taking,” said Gravet, standing erect and glancing about. “We go back a long time, Michael. I don’t for a moment believe you’re in Paris for your cultural rebirth.”
    “Neither do I. Who said I was?”
    “You were at the Louvre for exactly twenty-seven minutes. Too short a time to absorb anything, and too long to relieve yourself. But quite plausible for meeting someone inside a dark, crowded exhibit—say, at the far end of the third floor.”
    Havelock began to laugh. “Listen, Gravet—”
    “Don’t look at me, please! Keep your eyes on the water.”
    “I went to the Roman collection on the mezzanine. It was filled with a tour from Provence, so I left.”
    “You were always quick, I admired you for it. And now this ominous alarm: He’s no longer active. Avoid him.’ ”
    “It happens to be true.”
    “Whatever this new cover of yours,” continued Gravet quickly, dusting the elbows of his coat, “for it to be so radical can only mean you’re among very distinguished company.I’m also a broker with a wide range of information. The more distinguished my clients, the better I like it.”
    “Sorry, I’m not buying. Avoid me.”
    “Don’t be preposterous. You don’t know what I have to offer. Incredible things are happening everywhere. Allies become enemies, enemies allies. The Persian Gulf is on fire and all Africa moves in contradictory circles; the Warsaw bloc has lacerations you know nothing about, and Washington pursues a dozen counterproductive strategies matched only by the unbelievable stupidity of the Soviets. I could give you chapter and verse on
their
recent follies. Don’t dismiss me, Michael. Pay me. You’ll climb even higher.”
    “Why should I want to climb higher when I’ve climbed out?”
    “Again preposterous. You’re a relatively young man; they wouldn’t let you go.”
    “They can watch me, but they can’t hold me. All I had to do was give up a pension somewhere down the road.”
    “Too simple. You all have bank accounts in remote but accessible places, everyone knows that. Diverted contingency funds, covert payments made to nonexistent sources, fees for sudden departures or suddenly required papers. You had your retirement covered by the time you were thirty-five.”
    “You’re exaggerating both my talents and my financial security,” said Havelock, smiling.
    “Or perhaps a rather lengthy document,” the Frenchman went on, as though Michael had not interrupted, “detailing certain covert procedures—solutions, you might say—that must, perforce, describe specific events and personnel. Placed beyond reach of those most interested.”
    Havelock stopped smiling, but Gravet persisted: “Naturally, that’s not
financial
security, but it adds to a sense of well-being, doesn’t it?”
    “You’re wasting your time, I’m not in the market. If you’ve got something of value, you’ll get your price. You know whom to deal with.”
    “They’re frightened second-raters. None of them has your direct avenues to the—centers of determination, shall we say.”
    “I don’t have them anymore.”
    “I don’t believe you. You’re the only man here in Europe who talks directly with Anthony Matthias.”
    “Leave him out of it. And for your information, I haven’tspoken with him in months.” Suddenly Havelock stood up and turned openly to the Frenchman. “Let’s find a taxi and
go to
the embassy. I know some people over