Malone."Miss Backus." Harry Malone looked at the young, dark-haired woman before him. "What is the result of your research concerning the two ...ladies?"
The pretty American gave one of her bright smiles. "You were right, Sir. None of the two is in a regular employment. No taxes paid. The German one, Dollinger, is of course European Community. But the Polish one, Bodova… well, no work permit, no papers at all..." A very little muscle switched in the left corner of Malone’s hard mouth.
"Sir... may I ask..."
"Yes?"
"What is CI5’s interest in two cleaning women?"
"Ah." Thoughtfully, the Controller looked at the photograph of a red-haired, brown eyed man, hanging askew on the wall to his left.
For a long moment, his eyes rested on it. "I know a professional, when I see one," he said finally. One of Miss Backus’ finely drawn eyebrows went up. At this precise moment, the picture crashed down and the glass broke, shattering splinters all over the floor. Malone closed his eyes shortly. "And a desperate man," with a self-mocking smile he touched the new, very faint scratch in the not too bright surface of his desk, "will seek desperate measures...now, if that is all Miss Backus, you may go!" With that, he grabbed the telephone receiver.