I would assume you've learned from it." He looked at his watch again. "I would also assume you'd want to do something about the people who wiped out Sinclair last night. It's the first time the opposition has broken right into our field and made a killing — tried, indeed, to do it twice. I'd expect someone of your calibre to — shall I say — react." He inclined his head slightly. "However, there's no more time left, and I must accept the fact that you can no longer be counted on."

The bastard was working on my weakest point: my professional vanity. He knew that if I turned this mission down I'd have to face myself afterwards.

As he turned away I said: "Has anyone else been cleared?"

"Of course. We're pulling Fox out of Hong Kong. He'll be in Pekin by noon tomorrow, their time."

"Fox? You can't be serious."

"Unfortunately he's the only reserve."

He was lying, of course. Fox had done only five missions and he'd run two of them into the ground. But I believed him, because I had to, because I wanted to. I'd tried everything else.

"Croder."

"Well?"

"Who would you give me, to direct me in the field?"

"Ferris. I wouldn't give you anyone less." He was making it difficult.

"Where's Ferris now?"

"In Tokyo, waiting for a signal."

"Would he be directing Fox?"

Croder was silent for a moment, facing me with his shoulders hunched and his hooded eyes on me; then suddenly he brought his guard down and I heard despair in his voice. "I don't think it would matter who directed Fox, would it?" With more urgency he said, "This is the first time we'll be operating in mainland China, liaising with the Chinese, and we were rather hoping we could count on you to go in and break new ground for us."