Cavalier spun the Citroën down a side street and headed for the hospital on the Boulevard de Port Royal in the fifth arrondissement.

‘You told the doctor you were treated for lead poisoning there.’

‘In the form of a bullet.’ Cavalier glanced in the rear-vision mirror. The Audi had fallen behind but had kept the Citroën in sight. He kept up the speed and ran a red light, causing on-coming cars to hoot and drivers to abuse him. ‘The Val-de-Grâce has the best security,’ he said. He looked again in his side mirrors. ‘Those pricks won’t get in.’ Cavalier pulled a mobile from his jacket pocket, slowed the car at a red light and made a call. The pursuit vehicle was hemmed in on an inside lane, only twenty metres away. Cavalier craned his neck to read the Audi’s registration number.

In French, he said, ‘Cavalier here. We have that special patient. But there is a problem. We have armed attackers following us.’ He paused. ‘Audi, colour dark blue.’ He recited the number plate then paused again. ‘Yes … yes … that’s good. Merci beaucoup.’

‘We have some useful help.’ Cavalier took a risk and swerved out of his lane then powered on, leaving the Audi now about forty metres behind and dodging its way through traffic, trying to keep pace. After another twelve minutes, Cavalier pulled up at the high iron gates to the hospital. The gates slid open. He handed over his ID just as three military guards with sub-machine guns walked close to the rear of the car and stood facing the Boulevard de Port Royal. The Audi appeared.

The gate guards examined Cavalier’s card and waved him through. The three military guards cocked their weapons. The Audi pulled up hard, burning rubber. It then sped off past the hospital.

White-coated medicos hurried to the car and escorted Natalia to the entrance. Cavalier removed a handgun from his satchel and placed it under the driver’s seat. He and Haut were frisked by security at the Val-de-Grâce front door. While they filled in Natalia’s registration particulars, she was taken straight to an examination room, where two female doctors were waiting.

53 THE FORGIVEN

53

THE FORGIVEN

Haut and Cavalier were ushered to a waiting area. Haut told Cavalier more about the incident and the confidences that Natalia had disclosed to him on the train.

‘Her father is Yuri Norkov. He’s a very senior security man and close mate of Putin’s. He and his wife are coming to Paris today. They will want to see her.’

Cavalier nodded, and began dialling on his phone again. He spoke in French to his DGSE contact, Jacques Gilmond, who was its assistant deputy director. He told him of the tail from the train station, and the probable arrival of a Russian heavyweight and his wife.

‘We know,’ Gilmond said. ‘We’ve already been alerted. They will receive top security clearance and protection.’

‘Good.’