He had received the call just as he wasleaving the office and had brought the files to the embassy as Braniganrequested. Steniund knew better than to ask too many questions, except the barefacts, for he knew from the grim look on the face of the CIA man that thematter was serious indeed and sensitive enough for him to be summoned by theDirector himself. Now he stood beside Branigan as they went through a list ofnames.

All were mercenary pilots who riskedtheir lives flying into Soviet airspace from the Baltic on covert Finnishmilitary and CIA reconnaissance and agent-dropping missions, an activityFinland officially denied. Apart from one daring, highly decorated but dementedGerman ex-Luftwaffe mercenary pilot, with more Russian shrapnel in his headthan brains, all were Finns. Not surprising really, as Steniund's country hadlong been an enemy of Russia, and old hatreds and grievances ran as deep as hiscountry's fear of its powerful neighbor.

Branigan looked on as Stenlund consultedthe list. "What have we got?"

"According to my files, fifteen menwho operate freelance with their own aircraft for either our people or yours.They're all very capable pilots. Unfortunately, we're talking about places asfar apart as the east coast of Helsinki, near the Soviet border, to Arlandisland in the west. A distance of several hundred kilometers."

Branigan ran a hand across the back ofhis neck. "Jesus Christ."

Steniund puffed on his pipe and shrugged."However, we can eliminate most by assuming the people you're looking forwill want to cross the Baltic in the quickest possible time, and that means thepilot would possibly have a base within close proximity to Soviet soil. Also,weather is an important consideration. And right now, the imminent bad weatherwe're expecting would favor a drop."

Branigan nodded. "So who are thelikely suspects?"

"Two strong possibilities, seeing asboth have worked for the CIA at one time or another. A man named Hakala wholives in a small fishing village near Spjutsund. He's got an aircraft hangaredthere, a German Fiesier Storch. The second is a man named Saarinen."

"How far is the first?"

"Spjutsund'? About twenty kilometerseast of Helsinki. An hour there and back by car."

"And the other guy?"

"Janne Saarinen." Steiilundconsulted a file. "An excellent pilot. Ex-Luftwaffe. According to ourintelligence reports, he sometimes uses a place at Bylandet Island, thirtykilometers west of here. Both of them would be based pretty much the samedistance from Tallinn as the crow flies."

"Which would you pick?"Stenlund shrugged. "Like I said, they're both likely candidates. They'reexcellent pilots and, as I understand it, reckless enough to try a crossing inthe type of' weather we're expecting. Branigan hesitated, the tension in thesmall room stifling. "OK, we try the nearest. Hak ... ?"

"Hak-ala."

"Him first, then this guy Saarinen.I'll get us a car."

"As you wish."

Branigan reached for a shoulder-holsterwith a Smith and Wesson .38 pistol and buckled it on, then checked the chambersbefore slipping the gun back in its holster and turning to beckon severalburly-looking men waiting in the room, who began to check their firearms.Steniund looked on, alarmed, and when Branigan turned back, said nervously,"You think there'll be shooting?"

Branigan put on his jacket and overcoat."If there is, leave it to me and my men."

Small beads of sweat had already appearedon Steniund's forehead. "My pleasure. Personally, I never carry a weaponsince the war. Having the Gestapo forever up my nose was quite excitementenough."

Stenlund stood and tapped out his pipe,then pulled on his overcoat and glanced over at the clock on the wall. Thehands read exactly 7 P.m.

Bylandet Island.

Stanski sat down at the table and Masseypulled up a chair. His face was serious as he looked across. "There are acouple of things I want to make clear, Alex, and they've got to do withAnna."

Stanski lit a cigarette. "Fireaway."

"No matter what happens I don't wantto see her hurt. Either by the KGB, or anyone else."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"She likes you, Alex. I can tell. Aman and woman going on a dangerous mission together are bound to be drawnclose, for comfort if nothing else. But I don't want her Put in any unnecessarydanger on the mission, or hurt by getting too close to you. There's a goodchance she'll make it back. You may not be as lucky." Stanski saiddefensively, "You sound like you have a personal interest in Anna."

Massey thought for a moment, choosing hiswords carefully. "She's been through more pain than most. Let's just say Ifeel protective toward her."

Stanski stood. "It's not myintention to hurt Anna. But I can't help whatever happens between us, Jake. Ifyou feel more for Anna than you're saying, and I think maybe you do, then youshould have considered that before this thing began."

Massey was silent for several moments,and his face looked grim. "Then just promise me one thing. If your backsare ever to the wall and there's a chance you're going to be caught, and shecan't swallow her pill in time, just make certain those KGB bastards don't gether alive."

For a moment Stanski didn't reply. He sawthe genuine concern in Massey's face, then said, "Let's hope it nevercomes to that."

Anna came down the stairs five minuteslater, dressed in her peasant clothes, the thermal suit underneath making herlook bloated, and carrying her suitcase. There was a bottle of vodka and someglasses on the table and Stanski went to pour one for each of them. He handedone to Massey, then Anna.

"Nervous?"

She looked at him, something passingbetween them, and said, "I'm shaking."

Stanski smiled and raised his glass."Don't worry, it'll be all over before you know it."

Massey nodded to the corner of the roomto where the parachutes, canvas jumpsuits, helmets, goggles and gloves waited.There was an extra 'chute for Saarinen.

"You can leave those until Janne'salmost ready to go. One more thing. If you somehow separate from each otherafter you jump, or your contact who's to meet you at the drop doesn't make it,the rendezvous will be the main railway station in Tallinn, the waiting room onthe main platform, nine A.M. tomorrow morning. If either one of you or thecontact don't show, go the next day an hour later, taking the precautions Itold you about. If there's no show on the third day, You're each on your own,I'm afraid. Anything you need to ask?" Anna said, "You never told mewho the contact meeting us is."

"It'll be a member of the Estonianresistance. Any more than that I'm afraid I can't tell you, Anna, just in caseyou're caught." Anna looked back at Massey doubtfully, but said nothing,and he put a hand gently on her arm. "Just stick close to Stanski andyou'll be fine."

The door opened with a blast of freezingair and Saarinen appeared carrying a heavy-duty electric flashlight. He wore ayellow oilskin and scarf over his flying suit, and a pair of thick woollengloves.

"Christ, what a night," hesaid, closing the door. He shook his clothes and nodded to the vodka bottle."One of those would go down nicely." Massey said, "You thinkthat's wise?"

Saarinen grinned and pulled off hisgloves. "Relax, Jake. I never drink and fly. One limb is penalty enoughwithout being completely legless."

He checked his watch and looked at Annaand Stanski. "Ten more minutes, I reckon. You'd better get into thosejumpsuits."