Have they arrived? Ali enquired, and before Roper could answer him, Ferguson, Sara, and Dillon walked in.
Ali, its you, Ferguson said in surprise.
We were talking earlier, Roper told him. Hes been fully informed about the latest development. After his past services to us, I felt he could be trusted to keep it to himself.
Your account of Belfast 1979 was extraordinary, Mr Dillon, Ali said. Its certainly possible that these men, Flynn and Kelly, could have something to do with the affair. Ive already learned in my short time at MI5 that individuals from dissident Irish groups have used their past experience in all kinds of violent situations, from Eastern Europe to the Middle East. Does anyone else know?
No, actually, which is rather interesting. Ferguson said. I havent mentioned them to anybody, not even the Prime Minister.
So what are you going to do? Roper asked. Keeping the PM uninformed seems risky to me.
Youll have to wait and see. He turned to Ali Saif. I need hardly remind you that what youve heard is privileged and not for your masters at MI5. Now, meanwhile, youve had personal experience with AQ in London. Whats your take?
Sara said, Considering its not very long since the last Master died, this new one seems to have got to work pretty quickly.
But Al Qaeda is organized for such situations, Ali told her. There is a Grand Council, nobody knows where, which issues its decisions in Paris. General ben Levi was killed in London, and nobody outside the Council knew his true identity until the day he died. His replacement, from what little we have discovered about this worldwide cult, will have been put in place instantly.
So what was the purpose of the attempt on Jake Cazalets life?
He looked like easy meat, and they would have destroyed an American icon, shown the world they could get away with it, given two fingers to the Great Satan.
Only they didnt, Ferguson said.
Ali nodded. Because of the coincidence of your visit, General.
Ironic, really, Dillon said. If the President hadnt decided to have us privately thanked, Cazalet would be dead now.
Exactly. Ali shrugged. Of course, the Grand Council will want revenge. They will attack us here in London, a spectacular, perhaps. You notice I say us because I must include myself now. Im a turncoat of the first order, as far as theyre concerned. If I dared to show my face at Pound Street, Id be stoned.
Come, come, Ali, we mustnt exaggerate. The Army of God is a legally organized charity. Their dispensary serves all denominations, and the imam of the mosque, Hamid Bey, is highly respected.
Smoke and mirrors, General. As you say, I have had personal experience with AQ. The City Corporation, the police, tread carefully for political reasons. In my time when I was on the wrong side, the Master spoke to me on a regular basis, and Im not naive enough to think I was the only one. As for Hamid Bey, he is a dog and not to be trusted.
All right, Ill take your word for it, Ferguson said. Well have to take extra care from now on.
Ali opened his jacket to show a Walther in a shoulder holster. Im also wearing a nylon-and-titanium vest. I hope the rest of you are. He smiled, leaned down, and kissed Saras hand gallantly. You always astonish one, Captain Gideon. God is good to you. He nodded to the others. If youll excuse me, General, Im on night duty at Tenby Street. He turned and walked out.
My goodness, Ferguson said. Hes really come on. It was a wise choice to take a chance on him. Im sure youll all take heed of his advice. His experience with this cult of the Master thing is obviously unique. Anyway, I think we could also do with some supper. Lets see what the kitchens got for us. As for Hamid Bey, I always thought the bastard was too good to be true.
There was a loud bang, the front door crashed open, and Doyle shouted, Help, man down!
Dillon and Sara ran out into the hall, to find Doyle dragging a hospital trolley out of the hallway and outside.
The Judas gate had swung open and Ali Saif was lying half outside it. As they raced toward him, Doyle said, He told me he was going to walk back to Tenby Street, so I accompanied him, opened the Judas gate, and somebody shot him. He bounced off the gate, half turning. There was a second shot, he staggered into me and went down. Silenced weapon, just a couple of coughs. God knows Ive heard enough of those in my time.
Sara appeared with two wound packs and ripped one open as she examined Ali, who was obviously in shock, eyes staring.
The vest seems to have stopped one round, but the other has ploughed into his right thigh, no protection there. She staunched the blood flow as best she could. Help me, Sean, there are morphine ampoules in the pack, get one into him.
Ferguson was talking briskly into his phone, and Ali reached and clutched Sara. You must take care, Sara. I told you the Grand Council wants revenge and Im the first to be punished. The traitor
He fainted, and Ferguson said, Rosedenes alerting Professor Bellamy. Lets get Saif into the Land Rover and get him up there.
A couple of hours later, the matron at Rosedene, Margaret Duncan, approached the group, still in theatre scrubs and looking tired. My goodness, General, another one. When will somebody say enough is enough?
Not in the world as it is today, Im afraid. How is he?
Professor Charles Bellamy walked in and answered for her. Alive, and that is one good thing. The vest did exactly what it was supposed to and stopped a heart shot.
Which, if successful, would have killed instantly, but Ali started thrashing around, so the shooter put a random round into him and cleared off, Dillon said. Whats the verdict?
A serious wound in the left thigh, damage to bone and sinew, Bellamy told him.
Just how bad? Ferguson asked.
Hell be here for several weeks, and recovery and therapy will take some time. He smiled at Sara. As you know only too well, Captain, better than anyone else here, including myself.
God help him, Sara said. While Im here, can I ask how Declan is?
Hes asleep. You can see him tomorrow.
Well leave them both in your good hands. Ferguson turned to the others. Back to Holland Park, I think, and may I point out that we still havent had any supper.
It was much later that they rejoined Roper in the computer room and discussed the attack.
Takes me back to Afghanistan, Sara said. All the trappings of high security mean nothing once you step outside base where some fifteen-year-old with an AK can take a pop at you at any moment.
And get away with it, Dillon said. Though Id say in this case whoever was responsible tonight was aware of Alis habit of walking to Tenby Street after visiting us. Its not much more than a mile. Lots of trees on the other side of the road.
I agree, Roper said. Looks like the work of a silenced AK with a folding stock, probably carried in an ordinary supermarket shopping bag.
A reinforcement of Alis warning earlier about Al Qaedas Grand Council seeking revenge, and that means full alert, people, Ferguson said.
There were a few moments of silence as they all thought about it, and it was Sara who spoke first. There is the business of Flynn and Kelly, sir. What are we going to do about that?
There were a few moments of silence as they all thought about it, and it was Sara who spoke first. There is the business of Flynn and Kelly, sir. What are we going to do about that?
Yes, you left it hanging, Roper pointed out.
Perhaps somebody should go and see them, Sara said.
Maybe we all should. Ferguson laughed out loud. That could be fun.
You mean just turn up at Drumgoole out of the blue? she asked.
Its a thought. Ferguson was considering it, a slightly wicked smile on his face. He looked at his watch. Just after eleven. A man like Flynns bound to be up. Find the number, Major. Ill leave it to you what to say, Dillon.
In the parlour at Drumgoole Place, they were sitting by a log fire, Tod Flynn and Kelly, Aunt Meg and Hannah, a film just finishing on television. Hannah was nearest to the house phone when it rang, and she answered.
Drumgoole Place.
Put me on to Tod, Dillon said.
She bridled. And who the hell are you, mister?
Dillon laughed. From the sound of you, youd be Hannah.
Arent you the cheeky one. Meg had turned off the television and they were staring at Hannah. Ill only ask you once more, then Im putting the phone down. Who are you? She put it on speaker so they could all hear.
Your second cousin, girl dear, Sean Dillon. Now, put him on.
The look of incredulity on her face was quite something as she held out the phone to her uncle. He says hes Sean Dillon.
There was silence for a moment, Kelly in immediate shock, but Tod took a deep breath and the phone. Is this a joke?
No, it is me, you old sod. How did you enjoy Nantucket?
I dont know what youre talking about.
Stop being stupid, it doesnt suit you. Tell Kelly if hed not been noticed playing The Lark in the Clear Air on his clarinet, Id never have known you were there. I work for Charles Ferguson these days, but Im sure you know that.
Sold out to the Brits, Sean, didnt you? Tod said.
Oh, we all sold out to somebody, in your case the Master and Al Qaeda. Well be over to see you in a few days, and dont try to run away. Theres nowhere to go.
He cut off the call, leaving Tod sitting by the fire, numb with shock, the others staring at him. It was Meg who shook her head and spoke first. The Lord help us, Tod, what have you done now?
But Hannah was already on her feet, leaning on her walking stick. The glory days are back, is that it, Uncle Tod? Well, you and the damn IRA and Al Qaeda can go to hell, and she limped out of the room, banging the door shut behind her.
In the computer room, it was all smiles. Good work, Sean, youve stirred the pot there, Roper said.
Excellent, Dillon, you really put the boot in, Ferguson told him. I would judge hes in a state of total shock, but we must strike while hes still off balance, give him time to get really worried, then well take the Gulfstream to Ireland and descend on him.
On them, sir, Sara said. I thought the young girl was pretty feisty. I liked the sound of her.
Well, just remember she might be the enemy, Captain, but Im for bed. Its been a rough old week.
Tomorrow is always another day, Sara said. Hang on to that thought. They filed out, leaving Roper to doze in his wheelchair, his screens still on.
4
Half past midnight, Hannah sat on a stool in Fancys stall in the stud stable at Drumgoole, a horse blanket over her shoulders, the mare content with an occasional glance at her. It had been a refuge during four years of pain from the car bomb the dim lights, the stable smell of fourteen horses, always had a deeply calming effect. She leaned back and closed her eyes, allowing her rage to ebb away, heard the door open at the other end of the stables, then voices.
Kelly said, What happens now?
Youre forgetting he presented us with one of his coded mobile phones. Tods smile was mirthless. Im going to call him right now.
At this time in the morning?
He boasts that he can operate from anywhere, doesnt he? Lets see if he does.
Kelly laughed harshly. Put it on speaker, I dont want to lose a word.
A couple of minutes, no more, and then the voice echoed, calm and full of authority. Say who you are.
Tod told him. So we can cut the crap.
Why, Mr Flynn, youre angry, the Master replied. An emotion that leads to stupidity, and thats not to be recommended in our line of work. Is there a problem? If so, tell me.
With pleasure, Tod said. What would you say if Id had a phone call from Sean Dillon a couple of hours ago, asking me if wed enjoyed Nantucket? They know about you, Master-whoever-you-are, and the Al Qaeda connection everything. There was a perceptible pause. Are you there?
Oh, Im here, Mr Flynn, and considering what act of human stupidity has brought us to this situation.
Kelly broke in, shouting, Trying to find somebody to blame, are you?
Because there usually is, the Master said calmly. Do get your friend to shut up, Mr Flynn, then you provide me with a sane explanation and dont leave anything out.
Which Tod did, and when he was finished, said, And thats the truth of it, so what do you think?
That it was just bad luck. It was pure chance that sent them to Cazalets house, and pure chance that Dillon made the connection to the two of you.
One hell of a coincidence, Tod said.
Chance, Mr Flynn life is, in many ways, ruled by it. Of course, sometimes its fate. It wasnt by chance that your father was Sean Dillons uncle. Theres something almost karmic about it.
Kelly intervened again. Weve no time for all this shite. What do we do when Ferguson and his crew turn up here?
Wrong question, the Master told him. It should be, What can they do? Theres no evidence the attack even took place, and Cazalets walking around as if nothing had happened. So what can they do to you? Its rather amusing when you think of it, Ferguson couldnt even get you arrested. Somewhere in his background was an unmistakable sound.
At that, Hannah erupted from Fancys stall and took a few steps toward them, leaning heavily on her walking stick.
Theres nothing amusing about it, because Ive heard everything.
Kelly tried to grab her, and she slashed the walking stick across his shoulders. Tod dropped the phone on the table and caught her as she tried to get past him to the door.
Its all right, Hannah love, Ill handle it.
Its not and you wont. She shook her head. I dont know who this Master of yours is, Uncle Tod, but Ive heard enough to recognize an evil bastard when I hear one. She raised her voice. A bastard who lives in London! You should keep your window closed. Everybody knows the sound of Big Ben.
She pulled away from him and returned to the other end of the stable, leaning heavily on her stick, and disappeared into Fancys stall. Kelly watched her go, then picked up the mobile and handed it over.
Are you still there? Tod asked.