They followed their uncle to the third floor, to a room they seldom visited, a room he always kept locked. He opened the cabinet and pulled a folder from the drawer. It was a classified MI6 file labeled Tavistock, Bernard and Madeline.
I suppose IId hoped to protect you from this, said Hugh. The truth is, I myself dont believe it. Bernard didnt have a traitorous bone in his body. But the evidence was there. And I dont know any other way to explain it. He handed the file to Beryl.
In silence she opened the folder. Together she and Jordan paged through the contents. Inside were copies of the Paris police report, including witness statements and photographs of the murder scene. The conclusions were as Nina Sutherland had told them. Bernard had shot his wife three times at close range and had then put the gun to his own head and pulled the trigger. The crime photos were too horrible to dwell on; Beryl flipped quickly past those and found herself staring at another report, this one filed by French Intelligence. In disbelief, she read and reread the conclusions.
This isnt possible, she said.
Its what they found. A briefcase with classified NATO files. Allied weapons data. It was in the garret, where their bodies were discovered. Bernard had those files with him when he died-files that shouldnt have been out of the embassy building.
How do you know he took them?
He had access, Beryl. He was our Intelligence liaison to NATO. For months, Allied documents were showing up in East German hands, delivered to them by someone they code-named Delphi. We knew we had a mole, but we couldnt identify him-until those papers were found with Bernards body.
And you think Dad was Delphi, said Jordan.
No, thats what French Intelligence concluded. I couldnt believe it, but I also couldnt dispute the facts.
For a moment, Beryl and Jordan sat in silence, dismayed by the weight of the evidence.
You dont really believe it, Uncle Hugh? said Beryl softly. That Dad was the one?
I couldnt argue with the findings. And it would explain their deaths. Perhaps they knew they were on the verge of being discovered. Disgraced. So Bernard took the gentlemans way out. He would, you know. Death before dishonor.
Uncle Hugh sank back in the chair and wearily ran his fingers through his gray hair. I tried to keep the report as quiet as possible, he said. The search for Delphi was halted. I myself had a few sticky years in MI6. Brother of a traitor and all, can we trust him, that sort of thing. But then, it was forgotten. And I went on with my career. I thinkI think it was because no one at MI6 could quite believe the report. That Bernard had gone to the other side.
I dont believe it, either, said Beryl.
Uncle Hugh looked at her. Nevertheless-
I wont believe it. Its a fabrication. Someone at MI6, covering up the truth-
Dont be ridiculous, Beryl.
Mum and Dad cant defend themselves! Who else will speak up for them?
Your loyaltys commendable, darling, but-
And wheres your loyalty? she retorted. He was your brother!
I didnt want to believe it.
Then did you confirm that evidence? Did you discuss it with French Intelligence?
Yes, and I trusted Daumiers report. Hes a thorough man.
Daumier? queried Jordan. Claude Daumier? Isnt he chief of their Paris operations?
At the time, he was their liaison to MI6. I asked him to review the findings. He came to the same conclusions.
Then this Daumier fellow is an idiot, said Beryl. She turned to the door. And Im going to tell him so myself.
Where are you going? asked Jordan.
To pack my things, she said. Are you coming, Jordan?
Pack? said Hugh. Where in blazes are you headed?
Beryl threw a glance over her shoulder. Where else, she answered, but Paris?
Richard Wolf got the call at six that morning. They are booked on a noon flight to Paris, said Claude Daumier. It seems, my friend, that someone has pried open a rather nasty can of worms.
Still groggy with sleep, Richard sat up in bed and gave his head a shake. What are you talking about, Claude? Whos flying to Paris?
Beryl and Jordan Tavistock. Hugh has just called me. I think this is not a good development.
Richard collapsed back on his pillow. Theyre adults, Claude, he said, yawning. If they want to jet off to Paris -
They are coming to find out about Bernard and Madeline.
Richard closed his eyes and groaned. Oh, wonderful, just what we need.
My sentiments precisely.
Cant Hugh talk them out of it?
He tried. But this niece of his Daumier sighed. You have met her. So you would understand.
Yes, Richard knew exactly how stubborn Miss Beryl Tavistock could be. Like mother, like daughter. He remembered that Madeline had been just as unswerving, just as unstoppable.
Just as enchanting.
He shook off those haunting memories of a long-dead woman and said, How much do they know?
They have seen my report. They know about Delphi.
So theyll be digging in all the right places.
All the dangerous places, amended Daumier.
Richard sat up on the side of the bed and clawed his fingers through his hair as he considered the possibilities. The perils.