Scene 9

«Then we know also where Koslow is being kept.»
«Unfortunately we don't, no», replied Mercier in a far-from-proud tone as he moved around.
«Our man assumes the fellow is on his way with Hing's baggage – but he has not yet seen him, he says».
«He says, hmm. How have we connected our man actually with Hing?»
«Not at all.»
«Not at all?»
«Now, he has offered us his services as an informer, a quasi defector. And a real stroke of luck for us. That is also why we call him Aral.»
«Aral?»
«Yes, like the angel.»
«Wasn't that Ariel?»
«Why Ariel?»
«It was just an idea. And why has he defected?»
«That's something that we too have naturally asked ourselves. We don't know for sure. But something must have transpired between his sister and Hing. He's acting out of revenge.»
«Yes, revenge is good – and sisters are often a problem. How can I get in touch with the man?»
«You cannot.»
«Once again?»
«He sends us encrypted GPS-coordinates, which we decode and pass on to you. At certain places you will then find messages – on banknotes because they are weather-resistant.»
«That seems vaguely familiar – but isn't that somewhat complicated.»
«We are a secret service, after all!»
«After all, that's correct. Then I travel after the baggage of Hing and search now and then in some bush or the other for a banknote?»
«Have you got a better idea?»
«I could return home and cook a head of veal for the sake of world peace – complete with vinaigrette for ecumenical Christianity.»
«Vinaigrette?»
«Yes, you are right. Probably I would do better to take the capital way.»

continue