Anna looked at him. "Where's therunway on the island?" Saarinen shook his head and grinned. "Thereisn't one. The aircraft is fitted with skis so we can take off from the ice.Don't worry, it may be a tiny bit bumpy to start with but you'll hardly noticethe difference." Massey said, "What about the latest weatherreports?"

Saarinen smiled, a rakish smile."According to the Helsinki office, it couldn't be better for a covertdrop. Strong winds tonight, followed by a heavy cold front with @ a threat ofsome cumulonimbus cloud across parts of the Gulf of Finland, possibly down to athousand feet from five, expected by tomorrow evening. That kind of cloud cangive snow and hail and even thunderstorms, and we'll have to try and avoid theworst of it, if that's possible."

He shrugged. "Flying through heavysnow cloud isn't a pleasant way to travel for the passengers because it can getpretty rolling up there, only it's less likely the Soviets will have their Migspatrolling the airspace in such extreme conditions, but of course I can'tguarantee that. Let's just say I'd be optimistic." He smiled again,looking- as if he were actually about to enjoy the bad-weather flying and thedanger involved.

Stanski lit a cigarette. "Isn't thattaking a risk, flying in such bad weather? besides other aircraft?"

"I'm not worried about getting blownout of the sky by the latest military jet fighter in clear weather. Thosemachines are the fastest thing in the skies, even faster than anything theAmericans have got right now."

"But the way I Understand it, inreally bad snow, the Mig pilots keep above the cloud because they're not yetfully used to operating the new on-board radar. However, there's a radar unitat the airbase itself, another in the main Soviet Army headquarters in Tondybarracks, just outside Tallinn, and yet positioned in the old town in a tower,Saint Olaus; next to the local KGB headquarters. probably the tallest point inthe town. Between the three of them they keep the patrolling guardsinformed." He smiled. "On a clear day I believe the post in the churchcan pick up the BUZZ of a wasp. But on a bad one, with snow and hail, theSoviet radar units often can't discriminate between a target and the clutterproduced on their Screens by the weather. That's where really bad conditionshelp us. But anyway I'm going to stay as low as I can within the cloud to avoidbeing picked up on their screens. The real risk, however, is once we come outof the cloud briefly for the drop zone. There's a chance we'll be noticed bytheir radar and Ivan will get interested. That's why I've got to find thetarget quickly and drop you. But at that stage, it would really be my problem,and nothing for YOU to worry about, Even if Ivan did respond, you'd haveparachuted by then and with luck I'd be on the homeward leg."

Massey crossed to the window and lookedout at the frozen bay. Up here in the north he knew a man was lucky if he saw acouple of days of weak sunshine in winter. The twilight had a depressingeffect. He looked back at Saarinen. '['he man was a very capable pilot, but hewas also plainly crazy to be so enthusiastic, considering the dangers. Masseywondered if some of the shrapnel in his leg had lodged in his brain as well.

"OK, Jan, so what's the schedule'?When can we get under way?"

Saarinen sat on the edge of the table."The cloud is expected due southeast of here by eight tomorrow night. Ifthe weather boys are right, it should give us cover as far as the coast ofEstonia. If we leave at twenty-thirty, then according to my prediction weshould meet the cloud about twenty miles out on the coast. The route -we takeis this." He pointed to the red line on the map. "Almost straightacross the Baltic to the drop area. I know the frequencies of the Russianbeacons and I can use them for more exact navigational reference when we getnear Tallinn so I can pick up the drop reference."

Massey frowned. "And what happens ifthe weather really is bad, like you say?"

"Don't worry. I'll pick it up. I cango in low, to within five hundred feet of' the ground if necessary. I should beable to make out the lights of Tallinn once we're out of the Cloud. And theterrain profile is pretty flat around there so hopefully we're not going tobump into any mountains when we're flying blind in Cloud. Right, any morequestions?" No one spoke and Saarinen smiled broadly. "Good, thatmust mean you trust me."

He swun" his leg off the table andsaid to Massey, "Come on, I'll show your friends the little beauty that'sgoing to take them into the jaws of hell."

Saarinenen led them out across the woodenpromenade to the hangar.

It was @ a converted boat shed, and therewere two sets of double wooden doors, one each at the front and rear of thebuilding. Saarinen swung them both open to reveal a short, stoicly-looking single-engineaircraft with high wins, painted all white. It had no markings and its landingwheels had been replaced with combination skis and wheels, so that it couldtake off' and land on ice or a runway. The engine cowling @and propeller had athick woollen blanket thrown over them. Saarinen ran a hand lovingly over theedge of the starboard wing "A beauty, isn't she'? The Norseman C-64 lighttransporter, Canadian design, as used by the American Air Force during the war.I picked her up for next to nothing at a military surplus auction in Hamburg.She's ideal for cross country flying and can fly at a hundred and forty knotswith up to eight passengers. But in these temperatures she needs to be lookedafter like a baby. You've got to keep the engine warm, turning it over severaltimes a day, otherwise the oil freezes and the engine metal cracks from severecold."

He looked at his watch. "Almost timeBetter stand well back."

They stood well beyond the open reardoors of the hangar and Saarinen pulled off the heavy blanket over the enginepropeller. He hefted himself with relative ease into the cockpit swinging hisfalse leg in last. He started the engine, pulled the throttle and idled for tenminutes before closing down the engine and climbing out.

"Well, that's it for another fourhours. Now it's time to get myself warm. Like most sensible Finns at this or@any other ding this godforsaken winter, I'm going to have a couple of stiffdrinks to keep myself from cracking up and my blood freezing. Care to join me inside?"Massey said, "Sounds like a good idea."

He looked over at Stanski and Anna. Therewas a slight grin forming at the corners of his mouth. He looked like a cagedanimal anxious to be let loose. Anna appeared calm, but he could sense herreadiness.

Stanski said, @"Thanks for theoffer, Janne, but not this time." He looked at Massey.

"What's next on the agenda?"

"We'll go over the weapons, clothesand papers for Everything you need for the drop and afterwards. But in themeantime, there's nothing to do but wait."

"Then how about I take Anna for alittle diversion?"

"What kind of diversion had you gotin mind?"

"A drive into Helsinki and back, ifwe could borrow Janne's car."

He looked over at Saarinen. "Howabout it, Janne?"

The Finn shrugged. "It's OK by me."He found the ke the Volvo and tossed them to Stanski. "Just watch theroads they're pretty icy this time of year. And don't hit the alcohol beforeyou drive back. It's about the only thing the police are strict about in theseparts." Massey said to Stanski, "OK, but I want you both back bynine, no later."

"A last taste of freedom before wego. Jake, I think you owe us the price of a good dinner."

Massey took out his wallet and handedStanski some Finnish marks. "I reckon you're right. Compliments of Washington.Don't get lost on me, either of you. And be careful, for God's sake."