The Acheneau River, after passing the entrance to the camping ground area, made a bend to a stretch lined with dense trees abutting the water's edge. Grant urged the group closer to the water, his silenced gun pointing at each one as necessary.

"You gonna murder four people here, Grant?" Morrisey's teeth clenched.

"Three anyway," he snapped back. "Your meddling brought this all about, Abraham."

"Me! You sent me over here!"

"Not to interfere, which you seemed too inclined to do on behalf of Ms West here."

"What is it you want, Grant? Why are you doing this?"

"Don't bluff a bluffer, Mallory. You opened that briefcase, and we both know it."

Felix glared at her, then at Ava, and finally at Grant. "There is an opportunity here for a smart man."

Grant's eyebrows rose slightly. "Opportunity? And what would that be, Felix."

"An arrangement - one beneficial to both of us."

"Don't waste my time, spit it out." The gun wavered dangerously at Felix.

"An alliance."

Morrisey snorted.

Grant frowned. "Alliance?"

"You obviously know quite a bit about my business." His mouth twisted as he glared at Ava. "Together, with the services of a ranking SIS agent, we could grow that business immeasurably."

"Over my dead body!" Mallory barked.

Both men gave her an amused look. "That's an alternative." Grant spoke, thoughtfully considering the possibilities of Felix's offer.

"That leaves Ava and me," Morrisey interjected.

"Yes . . . pity, Abraham." Grant was still looking thoughtful when Mallory charged him.

Grant turned a second too late as his gun arm was blocked, and the bullet fired wildly into the air. Ava covered her ears and screamed abruptly as she jumped back from the struggling couple. Felix growled and reached for her, but Morrisey tackled him, and they rolled down the short bank into the river.

Mallory was busy wresting the gun from Grant's fingers while he grunted and swore at her actions. He managed to hit her on the side of the head with the heel of his hand, and she cried out, losing her grip on his hand. He scrambled to his knees, trying to stand as she fell away onto her back, hands clawing at the ground to keep from joining the others in the river.

Grant stood, eyes blazing and raised the gun, an evil, angry smile behind the silencer extended barrel. Another shot, this one into the ground, followed by the dull thud of Grant's inert form onto the shallow bank. Ava stood trembling, eyes filled with the horror of what she had done, and she dropped the blood covered rock and began to sob.

"A little help if you're all through fooling around." Morrisey was clinging to the bank with one hand, the other clutching Felix's collar.

Mallory reached down a hand and dug in as she hauled him onto the grass. He turned and dragged Felix up beside him, smacking his face and getting a grunt.

"Good, you didn't drown." He saw Grant, and looked at Mallory who rolled her eyes toward the sobbing Ava.

"He was about to shoot me . . . I- he really meant to do it, Morrisey." Her mouth trembled as she spoke, and he gripped her arm gently.

"He didn't though. C'mon, let's get this organized and decide how to proceed."

                                                     ♟♟♟♟♟

Across the room, the two agents watched the animated huddle around the police captain's desk, with concealed amusement. The volume rose and fell along with wild gesticulation as the debate raged.

"I think we're witnessing a conundrum in French." Morrisey said out of the side of his mouth.

"I believe you're right. How to separate the arrest of Felix Kubavich, one of Europe's most wanted, from three agents representing two foreign countries, and saving the possibility of publicity and promotion."

"With Grant in the hospital, I don't see a way around it. They have to report it, and you can bet some higher ranking people will be better positioned to take the glory and keep us out of the light."

The huddle broke up when a female officer arrived with a page for the captain. He read the contents and slumped back, dropping it on his desk. Immediately, hands grasped it and another tirade of French followed, with some of the participants stalking away in frustration. The captain beckoned the two agents to his desk, and sat erect, hands clasped.

"You have given us quite a problem here in Port-Saint-Père." His voice held a tinge of contempt. "We have contacted your people in the UK and advised them of the situation." He moved a few items unhappily around on the desk. "The proper departments have been in touch and decisions have been made." His look was one of abject disappointment. "You are both to return to the UK on the next possible flight."

Mallory thanked him, receiving a bitter smile. "What of Mr. Duggan?"

"He will remain in hospital here until able to travel. He will also be escorted from the country, and back to America."

Morrisey leaned forward. "So there are no charges being placed against us. What about Felix Kubavich, and Ms Kapova."

The pained look returned. "My superiors are taking custody of Monsieur Kubavich."

"And Ms Kapova?" Mallory repeated.

"Ms Kapova is free to go. As a citizen, and apparently an innocent victim in your activities . . . she is free to go."

"Well," Morrisey stood. "Thank you for your co-operation and hospitality, Captain." He extended a hand, and it hung empty in the air between them. "Right. Ms West, shall we go?"

"Where is Ms Kapova, Captain?"

"She is finishing giving her statement. You will get your passports and other documents at the airport when you leave. I hope we don't have the pleasure again any time soon."

Her sharp dig in his ribs prevented Morrisey's retort, and they left, finding the desk with their belongings. Ava was sitting in a chair next to it, and she popped up as soon as she saw Mallory.

"They said I could go?" She pulled Mallory aside. "What's going to happen? Will my daughter be safe still?"

"Come with us and we'll talk where it's more private. My colleague and I have to leave the country, so we have little time."

"They gave me the keys to your Vauxhall," Morrisey chuckled, joining them on the way out of the station. "Like I would own that thing."

She took the keys and smiled. "I'll drive."

Fifteen minutes later they were seated in the cosy corner of a restaurant, Morrisey and Ava both looking confused.

"You said private," Ava frowned.

"It's private enough for us, and it won't make our watcher too suspicious."

"Our watcher?"

"They tailed us from the police station. You can see them on the street in that green car. Just don't stare."

"I'm satisfied. Anyway, I'm hungry." Morrisey grabbed a menu. Both women stared, eyes rolling.

Coffee was order all around including a sandwich for Morrisey. Ava asked again about her daughter, her features creased with concern.

"Keep a placid face; I'm sure our friends are photographing us. Your daughter is perfectly safe. She remains anonymous and secure. But to ensure that, don't try to contact her for a while. A new phone would be smart; I'm sure they are using all means to keep tabs on us."

"We still have the problem of Grant," Morrisey said through a mouthful of sandwich.

"Isn't he being sent home?" Ava asked, sipping her coffee.

"He is still dangerous." Mallory said, feigning laughter as she spoke. "We need to speak with him while we still can."

In the green car, the man with the telescope camera recorder cursed. "Ils rient, et je ne peux pas lire sur leurs lèvres. C'est inutile." (They are laughing, and I can't read their lips. This is useless.)

"Le Capitaine ne se plaira pas des rires." (The Captain will not be pleased at laughter.) His partner advised.

A few moments later, the car pulled away and vanished down the street.

"Looks like they gave up." Mallory said.

"They'll be around waiting for us to leave, you can bet." Morrisey wiped his mouth and finished his coffee. "We need to get into that hospital now, or we won't get another chance."