Chapter 73

           BourgetAirfield’snightshiftairtrafficcontrollerhadbeendozingbeforeablankradarscreenwhenthecaptainoftheJudicialPolicepracticallybrokedownhisdoor.

           «Teabing’sjet,»BezuFacheblared,marchingintothesmalltower,»wherediditgo?»

           Thecontroller’sinitialresponsewasababbling,lameattempttoprotecttheprivacyoftheirBritishclient–oneoftheairfield’smostrespectedcustomers.Itfailedmiserably.

           «Okay,»Fachesaid,»Iamplacingyouunderarrestforpermittingaprivateplanetotakeoffwithoutregisteringaflightplan.»Fachemotionedtoanotherofficer,whoapproachedwithhandcuffs,andthetrafficcontrollerfeltasurgeofterror.Hethoughtofthenewspaperarticlesdebatingwhetherthenation’spolicecaptainwasaherooramenace.Thatquestionhadjustbeenanswered.

           «Wait!»thecontrollerheardhimselfwhimperatthesightofthehandcuffs.«Icantellyouthismuch.SirLeighTeabingmakesfrequenttripstoLondonformedicaltreatments.HehasahangaratBigginHillExecutiveAirportinKent.OntheoutskirtsofLondon.»

           Fachewavedoffthemanwiththecuffs.«IsBigginHillhisdestinationtonight?»

           «Idon’tknow,»thecontrollersaidhonestly.«Theplaneleftonitsusualtack,andhislastradarcontactsuggestedtheUnitedKingdom.BigginHillisanextremelylikelyguess.»

           «Didhehaveothersonboard?»

           «Iswear,sir,thereisnowayformetoknowthat.Ourclientscandrivedirectlytotheirhangars,andloadastheyplease.Whoisonboardistheresponsibilityofthecustomsofficialsatthereceivingairport