‘I don’t know,’ I said. ‘Maric, the head of their tool section, is ringing me tomorrow morning. I should be able to make an appointment with him for the afternoon.’
‘All right then. The afternoon. But you’ve got to see Tucek. Tell him Saturday may be too late. It must be tomorrow night — Thursday. Understand? You know the bookshop just opposite here, on the corner?’ I nodded. ‘I’ll be there at five. Don’t talk to me openly. Just tell me whether it’s okay or not as you pass. Got that?’
I nodded.
‘Don’t fail me, Dick.’ He knocked back the rest of his drink and got to his feet. ‘Good luck!’ he said, giving my shoulder a squeeze. ‘See you tomorrow at five.’
As he turned to go, I said, ‘Wait a minute, Max. What is all this? Is Jan Tucek in trouble?’
‘Ask no questions,’ he murmured.
‘Are you getting him out of the country — is that it?’ I demanded.
He swung round on me angrily. ‘Keep your voice down, for God’s sake.’
‘Is that’s what’s happening?’ I persisted in a lower voice.
‘I’m telling you nothing, Dick. It’s best if—’