The White House Connection by Jack Higgins

gun, but an embarrassment to the great man in there all the same.'
     
     
'I'd read The Times if I were you. It's very instructive,' Ferguson said, and got out, followed by Blake.
     
     
The policeman saluted, the door swung open and an aide smiled a welcome. 'Brigadier, Mr Johnson. The Prime Minister expects you.'
     
     
He took them upstairs past the portraits of all the previous Prime Ministers, then along a corridor, knocked briefly at the study door and opened it. The Prime Minister was sitting behind his desk, stood up and came round to shake hands with Ferguson.
     
     
'Brigadier.'
     
     
'Prime Minister. When you came to office, we discussed the peculiar circumstances of my position with you. Do you recall my mentioning that the President had a similar outfit working for him?'
     
     
'The Basement?'
     
     
'Yes, Prime Minister. This is Blake Johnson, who runs it.'
     
     
The PM shook hands with Blake. 'Be seated, gentlemen. You did indicate this was a matter of grave importance.'
     
     
'Very much so,' Ferguson said.
     
     
'Then tell me.'
     
     
When Ferguson was finished, the Prime Minister sat there, frowning. 'An incredible story. What happens next?'
     
     
'Mr Johnson will have to report to his President. I would suggest he does that when he gets back to my office.'
     
     
'I agree. As it happens, I have to speak to the President on matters concerning the peace process in Ireland later this evening. I'll discuss this affair with him and make it clear I have complete faith in you and Mr Johnson.'
     
     
'And what about the position of the Deputy Director of the Security Services?'
     
     
'What position?' The Prime Minister's face was calm. 'They know nothing, Simon Carter was definite on that score. "No file" was his phrase. Good. This would appear to be exactly the kind of thing my predecessors expected you to handle, Brigadier, so handle it.'
     
     
'You have my word, Prime Minister.'
     
     
He and Blake stood, the door opened as if by magic, and they were escorted out.
     
     
As it happened, Blake was unsuccessful in trying to speak to the President. He was finally routed to the chief of staffs secretary, who told him that the President was in Boston making a speech. Afterwards he was going down to his house on Nantucket for a three-day break. Next, Blake spoke to his secretary, Alice Quarmby, and because he was using the Codex Four line, he was able to speak openly.
     
     
'I was worried about you,' she said.
     
     
'You should be. That bastard Barry slipped the net, but he almost got me. This Sons of Erin outfit he runs - he spoke of a New York branch. Check it out and see what you can find.'
     
     
'Right away.'
     
     
'I need to get back fast, so see if there's anything military leaving the UK later today.'
     
     
'I'll call you back.'
     
     
In Ferguson's office they had a final discussion. It was Hannah who stated the obvious. 'There's nothing more we can do over here.'
     
     
'Yes, it's up to you, old son,' Dillon said. 'New York branch of the Sons of Erin.' He laughed. 'Sounds like one of those Irish theme pubs.'
     
     
Blake frowned. 'You know something, that's not a bad idea.'
     
     
'Which still leaves you with the mystery of the White House,' Hannah told him. 'Like one of those Agatha Christie murder mysteries.'
     
     
'The thing about those mystery novels, my dear,' Ferguson said, 'was that they were always very simple.'
     
     
'The butler did it,' Dillon said.
     
     
'No, but there were usually no more than a dozen people staying at the country house for the weekend and it had to be one of them.'
     
     
The phone rang. He listened, then nodded. 'Hang on.' He looked at Blake. 'Your secretary checked with air transport and we have an RAF Gulfstream flying to the States this evening. They could drop in at Farley Field and pick you up there.'
     
     
'Just the ticket,' Blake told him.
     
     
Ferguson said, 'Confirmed,' and put the phone down.
     
     
'That's it then.'