Scene 8

Today there were classics in a row: mango salad, glass noodle salad, Tom Yam Gung and red curry with duck, along with rice and pan-fried vegetables. As Maille was basting red shallots over the gas flame, his mobile telephone tinkled. It was Mercier himself, something Maille found unusual – normally it was Marie who made the call and only later would the chief come on the line. 

«We have someone», said Mercier softly and Maille felt that his chief had gripped his earlobe.
«I am fascinated», he thought, but restricted his reply to just «Ja».
At the other end he heard a gurgle. Mercier had evidently got himself a drink and seemed to want Maille to share in it.
«We have a V-man among the people of Hing: he was the one that provided them with the coordinates in Peking.»
«Wasn't that Zhang?»
«No, why should it be Zhang – it was the other guy. But from where did you learn that actually?»
«From where do I know what?»
For a few seconds the connection seemed to go dead.
«The other guy is our V-man.»
«The other? The other from which one?»
«The one with whom you had that clash at the wall.»
«He was the one?»
«No, he was the other one. Maille, listen to me: the man whom you tussled with on the wall is our V-man.»
«The Meteorite Person?»
«We must do something to strengthen Hing's trust in him. The Chinese Secret Service was a bit helpful to us in that sense – unwillingly for sure, but nonetheless credible. And naturally also you.»
«And Mr Kong?»
«Kong?»
«It was all just histrionics?»
«It must have appeared true, our man was in danger, to be uncovered.»
«And if I had killed him? With secret agents such things happen.»
«That's not your style.» Maille kept silent. Mercier had apparently faith in his style – and an entirely unique view of the idea of «Secret Service». Nevertheless his strategy functioned: the less his subordinates knew the stronger was his position. 

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