terrific.”
“And so do you, darling, but Dillon here. How would he know any better? I mean, he’s bleeding Irish, isn’t he?” He tucked her hand in his arm. “So let’s get this show on the road,” and they led the way out and walked toward the Gulfstream.
At the Orange Drum, after his conversation with Myra, Tully went in search of Bell and found him in the garage in the back courtyard loading up the old and battered Jeep with the baskets and rods.
“So that’s our cover?” Tully asked. “Fly fishermen bent on a day out in the country?”
“Can you think of anything better when we’re venturing into a part of the Republic where strangers stand out like a sore thumb?” Bell asked. “So look the part of the tourist fisherman, wear your waterproofs, anorak, leggings, rain hat, the works. The way the weather’s shaping up, it will probably pour down at some stage anyway.”
“And what about weaponry? What have you decided?”
“Well, a car bomb is out. We’d never get close enough, and with the family history, I shouldn’t think any of them would get into any vehicle without giving it a thorough check.”
“So what do you intend?”
“Maybe I’ll go back to good old-fashioned sniping, and you know how good I am at that. I could use the weapon that got my dad through the Korean War with the Ulster Rifles.”
“Here we go again. The Lee Enfield bolt-action, standard-round, 303 rifle. Isn’t it time you moved on?”
“He killed a lot of Chinese with that weapon, and it saved his life on more than one occasion. You being such a lousy shot, I’ve got you a Mac 10 machine pistol. All you have to do is spray the target, but you’d never get close enough, so my way is better. If you look under the rear seat, there’s also a couple of British Army issue Browning pistols and plenty of ammo.”
“I’ll take your word for it. I’d better go and sort myself out.”
Frank Bell finished what he was doing, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and lit one. “How are you feeling, Fergus? Are you up for this?”
“Of course I am, why wouldn’t I be? Have you spoken to the Master yet?”
“I thought I’d do that when we’re halfway there. I suppose you’ve talked to Myra, you always do. What did she think?”
“All for it, no doubt of that, and why wouldn’t she be? It’s a big payday.”
“What about the Flynn girl, did you mention that?”
“She asked if it was necessary. I told her what the Master said about going elsewhere if it was a problem, and she never mentioned it again.”
“I bet she didn’t,” Bell said.
“The only time she got upset was when I told her that SeanDillon was Tod Flynn’s cousin. She exploded, only quietened down when I said he’d nothing to do with our enterprise.”
“And thank God for that. Those photos of him and those others in Ferguson’s crew were warning enough. Thank God we’re not mixing it with them. Off you go and get ready, I’ll finish off here.”
Which he did, then lit another cigarette, moved to the door in time to see the rain. He shivered suddenly and didn’t know why. How many days like this had he known during the last thirty years? But that would never do, not at all, and he put his head down and ran across the yard to the kitchen door.
—
Ferguson came on the screen in Roper’s computer room, and he wasn’t pleased. “What’s going on, Major?” he demanded. “Who gave permission to include Harry Salter in the party to Drumgoole?”
“I did, General,” Roper said. “Knowing how important your breakfast meeting was with the PM. You’ve obviously seen the additional information I’ve discovered about Flynn. I not only sent it to you, but Captain Gideon and Billy Salter. When Harry suggested he might be of use after all, I decided to use my discretion and agree. I can’t see what harm it would do. They’re not visiting a war zone.”
“Yes, well, in future I suggest you be a little more circumspect,” Ferguson
“And so do you, darling, but Dillon here. How would he know any better? I mean, he’s bleeding Irish, isn’t he?” He tucked her hand in his arm. “So let’s get this show on the road,” and they led the way out and walked toward the Gulfstream.
At the Orange Drum, after his conversation with Myra, Tully went in search of Bell and found him in the garage in the back courtyard loading up the old and battered Jeep with the baskets and rods.
“So that’s our cover?” Tully asked. “Fly fishermen bent on a day out in the country?”
“Can you think of anything better when we’re venturing into a part of the Republic where strangers stand out like a sore thumb?” Bell asked. “So look the part of the tourist fisherman, wear your waterproofs, anorak, leggings, rain hat, the works. The way the weather’s shaping up, it will probably pour down at some stage anyway.”
“And what about weaponry? What have you decided?”
“Well, a car bomb is out. We’d never get close enough, and with the family history, I shouldn’t think any of them would get into any vehicle without giving it a thorough check.”
“So what do you intend?”
“Maybe I’ll go back to good old-fashioned sniping, and you know how good I am at that. I could use the weapon that got my dad through the Korean War with the Ulster Rifles.”
“Here we go again. The Lee Enfield bolt-action, standard-round, 303 rifle. Isn’t it time you moved on?”
“He killed a lot of Chinese with that weapon, and it saved his life on more than one occasion. You being such a lousy shot, I’ve got you a Mac 10 machine pistol. All you have to do is spray the target, but you’d never get close enough, so my way is better. If you look under the rear seat, there’s also a couple of British Army issue Browning pistols and plenty of ammo.”
“I’ll take your word for it. I’d better go and sort myself out.”
Frank Bell finished what he was doing, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and lit one. “How are you feeling, Fergus? Are you up for this?”
“Of course I am, why wouldn’t I be? Have you spoken to the Master yet?”
“I thought I’d do that when we’re halfway there. I suppose you’ve talked to Myra, you always do. What did she think?”
“All for it, no doubt of that, and why wouldn’t she be? It’s a big payday.”
“What about the Flynn girl, did you mention that?”
“She asked if it was necessary. I told her what the Master said about going elsewhere if it was a problem, and she never mentioned it again.”
“I bet she didn’t,” Bell said.
“The only time she got upset was when I told her that SeanDillon was Tod Flynn’s cousin. She exploded, only quietened down when I said he’d nothing to do with our enterprise.”
“And thank God for that. Those photos of him and those others in Ferguson’s crew were warning enough. Thank God we’re not mixing it with them. Off you go and get ready, I’ll finish off here.”
Which he did, then lit another cigarette, moved to the door in time to see the rain. He shivered suddenly and didn’t know why. How many days like this had he known during the last thirty years? But that would never do, not at all, and he put his head down and ran across the yard to the kitchen door.
—
Ferguson came on the screen in Roper’s computer room, and he wasn’t pleased. “What’s going on, Major?” he demanded. “Who gave permission to include Harry Salter in the party to Drumgoole?”
“I did, General,” Roper said. “Knowing how important your breakfast meeting was with the PM. You’ve obviously seen the additional information I’ve discovered about Flynn. I not only sent it to you, but Captain Gideon and Billy Salter. When Harry suggested he might be of use after all, I decided to use my discretion and agree. I can’t see what harm it would do. They’re not visiting a war zone.”
“Yes, well, in future I suggest you be a little more circumspect,” Ferguson
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