"How odd."
"Frankly, I was relieved. I find it distasteful to compile dossiers about strange sexual preferences."
"Distasteful, but sometimes very useful."
"I find using such information even more distasteful," Mart¡n said.
"Has it ever occurred to you, Bernardo, that you might be in the wrong line of work?"
"Many times, mi Almirante. The last time as recently as two minutes ago."
"Unfortunately, Bernardo, you are very good at what you do. Anything on young Frade?"
By God, he doesn't know about Outline Blue. Or that it's missing. If he did, the subject would be on the table by now!
"He met with Leibermann at the Cafe Colon. He went there alone-except of course, for Suboficial Mayor Rodriguez. The agent on him said he skillfully eluded him in traffic-I'm not sure I believe that or not. But, anyway, the man on Leibermann picked up on him and telephoned the office to tell the other one where he could be found."
"And their conversation?"
"Nothing could be heard. They were together less than half an hour, and then parted. Leibermann went to his home, and so did young Frade."
"In your mind, does this meeting between the head of the American FBI and Se¤or Frade confirm that Frade is back here as OSS Station Chief?"
"Leibermann tells me that the new Naval Attach‚ is the new OSS Station Chief. His name is Delojo, Commander Delojo, and he arrived yesterday. When I asked Leibermann the relationship between Frade and Delojo, he shrugged his shoulders."
"Meaning he doesn't know, or doesn't want to tell you?"
Mart¡n chuckled. "Meaning he either doesn't want to tell me, or doesn't re-ally know."
"You trust Leibermann, don't you?"
"He has never lied to me."
"We can presume, I think, that Frade still has some connection with the OSS."
Yes, and we can presume that the sun will probably come up again tomor-row, and that winter will follow fall again. God, did he really have to think about that?
"Yes, mi Almirante. But whether he takes his orders from this man Delojo, or vice versa, is still a question. Leibermann says Delojo is an experien
ced Naval intelligence officer. I would like to think he has been sent here to control Frade, but I'm always afraid of what seems to be the obvious answer."
Montoya grunted, and shrugged.
"I really would like to know what the German coronel is up to."
Don't you think I know that?
"It's entirely possible that it is a routine visit. On the other hand, if it is not precisely a routine visit, then it probably has something to do with German plans to send a replacement for the Reine de la Mer."
"You have an opinion?"
"That was it, mi Almirante."
"Anything else?"
"El Coronel Juan Domingo Per¢n will join General Rawson and some of the others at Estancia Santo Catalina this weekend."
"To console Se¤ora Carzino-Cormano, presumably?" Montoya said.