I looked at the clock. 'Is that the flight you booked for me?' I asked Croder. 'Yes.' 'Then there's no time for briefing.' 'You'll be briefed on the access in Hanover, and fully briefed In Moscow.' 'By Bracken?' 'Yes.' 'Who's our man in Hanover?' 'He's an agent-in-place.' 'I want to know who he is.' 'All you want,' Croder said with his mouth tight, 'is just one good reason for getting the next plane back to London with what's left of your conscience, and the problem is that you won't find one because we've been hard at it setting the whole thing up, and it works, it really does. The odds, of course,' he said without looking away from my face, 'are not in your favour, and I'd quite understand it if you didn't feel up to the task. Your nerves, as you say, are still -' 'My nerves are my business.' A lot of heat came out and his black eyes flickered. 'You know bloody well you've got me hooked or I wouldn't be here in this stinking hole, would I?' Control, get control. 'It's just that I want -' but the anger ran out and we stood facing each other without another word, while the shadows of the rain crept down his neon-grey face and his eyes looked into mine and waited to know whether I would do the job that had to be done or whether I was too old, at last, for this game, or too scared. When I was ready I said: 'Who else did you ask?' 'I told you before. I went straight for you.' His eyes went on waiting. I only had one more question, and it was difficult, because I thought I knew what he'd say, what he'd have to say. 'What happens if I find him, but can't get him out?' He didn't hesitate. 'That would make things easier for you. All we want is his silence.'