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Standing on the edge of the field, Gallagher searched the sky with the mini binos he’d bought in Berlin.
The American shaded his eyes as he looked around. “You sure this is the right place? What time did you arrange the pickup?”
Gally checked his wrist. “I’m absolutely sure and they’re twenty minutes late.”
Time had just started to drag when they heard the distant engine. Gally captured it in his field glasses.
After landing, the Piper Pacer taxied to the end of the field and turned around. Deek shouted, “See you at the other end. Don’t forget, I’ll pick you up at the front gate.”
The aircraft door opened and an American accent said, “Sorry, I’m late. My wife needed me to do something for her.”
Gally climbed in, replying, “I’m standing here waiting and you’re shagging your wife?”
The pilot smiled, “That’s about it, pal.”
Gally laughed. “Fair enough.” Looking around the interior he couldn’t help wondering. “How old is this plane?”
The pilot laughed. “It’s virtually brand new, built-in sixty-three. I just need to wash it.”
En route, he was instructed to put on a well worn faded red jacket and a matching baseball cap marked ‘FirstAir’. Gallagher asked about the significance and the pilot laconically replied, “First Air Cavalry, Vietnam.”
On their approach to the airfield just outside Kirchheim, the Austrian side of the border, the American said, “When we taxi in, I’m going to get you as close to that hangar as possible. When you get out, just walk through it real casual; everyone will be in the canteen chowing down. If you get challenged just say you’re looking for ‘Hoot’ the pilot but just keep on walking out the other end. Dump the jacket and cap on the empty oil drum outside, I’ll pick ‘em up later. Turn left then right and you’re out the gate, it’s unmanned. In the meantime, just get out of sight.”
Gally had been standing outside the entrance for twenty minutes when he was asked if he needed any help. He made it up on the spot. “I’m just waiting for someone. I don’t know their name but they said they’d meet me here then we’d go in to see a plane.” He added for good measure, “He’s a big bloke; I had a few beers with him last night.” He thought it more convincing. The man just smiled and said, “Ahh, it’s probably Willi, he’s never on time,” and drove in with a wave.
When Deacon pulled up, Gally slid into the passenger seat. “What took you so long?”
Deek glanced over at him as if he was terminally stupid. “You do know what happens at border controls, don’t you? I got here as fast as I could. Where to now?”
“Just head for Vienna.”
When Schneider’s driver informed them Gally was heading for Munich it had, initially, caused Astrid and Felix some concern but they soon realised he was working with someone else. Flying commercial, wishing to avoid any security complications, he must have enlisted someone’s assistance in getting any weapon he had to Munich. What could easily bypass border controls? They looked at each other. Diplomatic plates! Who then? The Americans? Not impossible but how’d he managed that? Astrid concluded, “I know his type. It’ll be a woman.”
Felix shrugged. “Either way, it’s not a bad idea, though he’s still got the same problem getting through the Austrian border posts. Why didn’t he just transfer on to Vienna from Munich?” He rolled his eyes. “I’m going to answer my own question now. It’s because he’s going in under the radar. He knows we or Rupert could’ve had him detained at passport control, plus this way we don’t exactly know where his final destination is.” He paused then gave words to something he’d been thinking for a while, “Why isn’t he co-operating by the way?”
Astrid checked herself in the small wall mirror and reapplied her lipstick. “I think his main issue with us is that Radler wouldn’t deal with Wilkinson because he knew he was one of their agents. Baker doesn’t want to spoil the trust he’s got with him, especially if he has to go across the wire to find him. I think we should just let him run, Felix. I’ve got a good idea where he’s headed; I’ve studied the same maps he’s had access to. I think you’re right though, he’s going under the radar and seeing as he’s not the type to swim a river the only other viable option is a light aircraft.”
Felix looked her in the eyes. “Why does he trust us? Why doesn’t he think we could be compromised as well?”
Astrid brushed it aside as she replaced her lipstick in her handbag. “I don’t know. Maybe he knows something we don’t know.”
Felix looked at her searchingly and replied, “Yeah, maybe he does.”