To give the impression of being entirely at ease, Blade said, «Would you like another drink?» He pointed at the woman's empty glass.

«I would, but not any more of Clarissa's. I still can't get used to Scotch or mixed drinks. I have a better idea. I have some real Czech brandy in my apartment. Why don't we go over there and try that?»

«Why not, indeed?» said Blade, with a grin. He did his best to make it a mindlessly lecherous grin, but his mind was turning with almost audible clicks. Elizabeth's game of getting him to her apartment was transparently obvious. Why was she playing it, and playing it so crudely? Was it just plain and simple lust for a handsome man, or something more? Richard Blade had been a professional secret agent for far too long to rule out the possibility of something more.

But he would never find out either way if he didn't accept Elizabeth's invitation. He took her hand and squeezed it with a firm but gentle pressure. «I'll make my apologies to Clarissa, and then we can go. Is your apartment far?»

Elizabeth nodded and named an address about four miles away.

«Then we'll take my car. Do you mind riding in an MG?»

«Not at all.» She looked at him again, with obvious invitation in her eyes. «Somehow a sports car-it fits you, what I think you are.»

Blade made his way over to the bar and went through the routine of saying goodbye to Clarissa. He was glad that Elizabeth had agreed to ride with him. One telephone call to the man known as J, one twist of a concealed switch, and the Special Branch of the Metropolitan Police would be tracking him all the way to his destination.

Elizabeth clung tightly to his arm as they rode down in the elevator, flashing increasingly warm smiles at him all the while. In the lobby of the building he excused himself. «I need to make a phone call-tell the office I may be late tomorrow.» He looked at her as he said that, watching for any reaction.