Billy stood up, and said, And Finbar, whats happened to him?
Eileen was over in Ulster to discuss legal matters concerning the Magee farm, where hed been living for years. He picked her up at the railway station, drunk as usual, had one of his crashes, and managed to kill his wife. Cuts and bruises where he was concerned, but it appears hell walk free.
Dear God. Hannah crossed herself. Damn him to hell.
A truly dreadful man, Sara said. But still their father, thats the problem. What do you think the brothers will do?
I havent the slightest idea, Dillon said. I dont even know whether the funerals today or tomorrow. Im going to see Tad and Larry now. How often do you see me in a black suit, but this one is just in case.
Can I go with you? Hannah asked. Mines dark blue, but acceptable.
Roper said, Its okay by me, but if theres a funeral, I want you back here as soon as its over.
Dillon grabbed Hannahs hand, they hurried out, and Roper turned to the Salters. You are the only two I can accept living out, so off you go.
Harry grinned, said, Lets move it, Billy, and they were gone.
Blake, Henry Frankel, and Jake Cazalet had been talking quietly. They turned expectantly. The guest wing can meet your needs unless youd care to return to the Dorchester, Roper said.
Ill hang on here for the moment, Blake told him. Any word from General Ferguson?
Hell be here as soon as he can. Begs your indulgence.
How wonderfully British of him, Cazalet replied. So lets have tea or something and resume our conversation.
Ill join you in a few minutes. Roper moved out into the computer room.
He was followed by Doyle with a mug of tea and a bacon sandwich on a small tray.
You havent eaten a thing, sir, too busy talking.
Sara came in, and at the same moment Ropers Codex sounded. He picked it up but didnt answer at once, saying to Sara, We need to talk about Highfield Court, your grandfather, and Sadie. Obviously, its a concern. Just give me a minute.
He raised the phone in his hand. Giles Roper. Who is this?
You know me as the Master. I thought it time we had a chat.
Tony Doyle was shocked. Its him, all right, Captain Gideon. I recognize his voice from the recording.
Go and get the others now, she said, and shoved him out of the door.
A pleasure to hear your voice, Captain Gideon. Im a great admirer.
The others came in, Henry Frankel leading. What in the hells going on?
Ah, the reinforcements have arrived, the Master said. Not necessary. Id intended to speak to each of you individually, but Im happy to tell all of you together: Youll get no warning of the gun that barks at you from the darkness when you least expect it or the car bomb that will launch you into eternity.
Im trembling in my boots, Henry Frankel told him. I can hardly stand.
Ah, Mr. Frankel. Your partner must have a permanent smile on his face. Youre such a funny little man. Why is that?
Its the only way I can cope with the prospect of being bored to death by a creature like you.
Ah, you have claws. Ill have to think of an answer to that. Ill let you know next time.
And when will that be? Roper asked.
Whenever I want, wherever I want. I can find you, but you cannot find me. I have a network of true believers and criminals who will do anything for money. I am invisible.
So there you are, gentlemen, Henry Frankel said. On top of that, he wont be happy until sharia law rules the roost at the Old Bailey.
An interesting thought, agreed the Master.
Jake Cazalet said, Do you think the people of the free world are going to stand by and just allow all this to happen?
Oh dear, the voice of America speaks. Go home, President Cazalet, while you will can.
Or what? Youll declare jihad?
Charles Ferguson, alerted by Tony Doyle on his arrival, had eased in quietly behind them and heard enough to realize what was going on.
Why, yes. You have earned jihad, said the Master.
Ferguson called, Charles Ferguson here. On me, too, then?
But the Master had switched off. There was quiet, then Ferguson said, I think a drink is in order. Lets all go get one, sit down, and decide what weve going to do about this creature.
IN THE BARGE on the Quai des Brumes in Paris, the Master sipped coffee and considered the call. He had enjoyed baiting Ferguson and company at Holland Park, but it was time to get to business. He should speak to the new Army of God man at Pound Street, Yousef Shah, freshly arrived from Oxford University, where he had lectured in comparative religion.
As Dr. Yousef Shah sat at his desk in the office of the Army of God Charity, beginning the task of familiarizing himself with his many duties, he was shocked at what the quiet voice had to say when he answered the phone.
There is only one God and Osama is his Prophet.
Yousef Shahs reply was automatic. Osama is risen.
This is the Master, wishing you well. Has the Grand Council in Paris warned you about what you will be up against in this appointment, supplied you with details of our particular enemies here?
Such material has been supplied to me in full, and Ive already started to work through it.
You will find strong backing in the Army of God and the Muslim Brotherhood. Those numbers we gave youcall upon them in a time of need and the people will follow your orders without argument because they know the word of Osama is behind you.
May his name be blessed, Yousef Shah answered automatically.
And may it be so, but remember at all times that there is a particular danger there. We have had two Masters killed because of the activities of a British intelligence group led by Major General Charles Ferguson.
I shall take care at all times, I promise you, particularly with these people.
The blessing of Osama go with you, the Master told him, and hung up.
Yousef Shah sat there, thinking about the call, then reached for the information file hed been given and started to look for Charles Ferguson. He read the information he was seeking, then phoned the Brotherhoods special number and identified himself.
A house called Highfield Court at the end of South Audley Street. The people are Jewish, the name Gideon. Check the situation at night thoroughly, and I do mean thoroughly.
At your orders, Imam.
He sat back. He had no idea what he had done or intended, but it was a beginning.
UNAWARE OF THE HIGH DRAMA they had left behind them, Dillon and Hannah drove toward Hyde Park as it started to rain.
She said, What exactly did the brother do? Not drugs, I hope.
No, Eileen wouldnt have stood for it, and her voice was law in the home, especially after the marriage broke up and Finbar cleared off to Ulster.
Good for her.
Only an idiot chooses that game these days when ten or fifteen years hard time is what you draw.
But what about the other things?
Eileens family were bargees who worked the Thames from one end to the other and stole anything they could lay their hands on. A way of life.
I suppose to young boys it must have seemed normal, Hannah said.
Booze and especially cigarettes have always been much cheaper in Europe than Britain, where theyre heavily taxed, so thats where they started, working for other smugglers until they saved enough for their own boat. The people in that game would raid other boats, there was open warfare, and the legend of the Magee brothers was born. A tough life, but thats the way they all started on the Thames, even Harry Salter.
So they were thieves?
Still could be as far I know. Tads the hard man, Larry the brain. A few years ago, there was a rash of robberies in London involving gold, diamonds, and stuff like that, millions disappearing into the maw of Europe. Scotland Yard believed the Magees were responsible but could never prove it, and its too late now. Theyre living on their reputation, part of the elite, too well-off to have to steal anymore.
What about women in their lives?
Tad was deeply in love some years ago, but she died of a brain tumor. Hes never taken another woman more seriously than a night out. As for Larry, I suppose the back-shooting took care of him.
She was uncomfortable and it showed. I suppose so, but I cant wait to meet them.
I tell you one thing. Theyre going to love you, and Dillon turned out of Park Lane into Curzon Street, drove halfway down, and paused for the gates of the magnificent Georgian town house to swing open. He drove inside and parked beside an Aston Martin.
What a contrast, Hannah said, as she got out. Your Mini and this Aston Martin.
Indeed so, but my old Mini is supercharged, and Tad Magee has been trying to buy it for years.
They approached the front door, which opened, and a white-haired woman of sixty or so wearing a belted white smock over a blue dress stepped out smiling.
I was hoping you would come, Sean, she said, as she opened her arms to him.
He turned to Hannah. Molly Ryan, a friend from my youth and the housekeeper here.
Hannah held out her hand. Its grand to know you.
Molly embraced her lightly. What a lovely Irish girl. Where did you find her, Sean?
This is my second cousin, Hannah Flynn, shes at college in London. Her uncle and I were young boys together in Collyban. Served in the Provos later.
My respects to him, my dear. Hes well, I trust?
Dead, Hannah told her. A UVF hit man finished him off.
It was amazing how Mollys face hardened. May he rot in hell. But never mindcome away in and meet the boys. Theyve known Sean all their lives.
She led the way, they followed, and Hannah was enraptured. The furniture, the carpeting, the pictures on the walls, it was serious art by any standard. An archway gave way to a conservatory crammed with tropical plants, small palm trees at the back, the two Magee brothers in elegant black suits seated at each end of a glass table, dark hair and tanned faces, with the look of highwaymen from some romantic tale about them.
Molly advanced, smiling, Dillon following. Cheer up, darlings, for havent I got Sean Dillon with his cousin, Hannah Flynn. Shes at college here in London, although I dont know whats she studying.
Hannah, who had held back, now showed them, with a touch of bravado, for there was a Bechstein grand piano beside the archway, the lid open. She remained standing, leaned down, and played one-handed the opening bars of a rather dashing Italian sonatina she was fond of.
Larry Magee pushed himself up in an instant, leaning on his walking stick, then came forward and held out his hand. I dont know where Seans been keeping you, but that was a wonderful intro.
Do you play yourself?
I did my poor best to please my mother but never got far and nowhere near your standard.
You wouldnt, and her studying at the Royal College of Music, Dillon told him.
Well, Im pleased to hear it and hope to see a lot of you. Im Larry Magee and the facsimile at the other end of the table is my twin brother, Tad, a fearsome creature with a bad reputation. Magee smiled and gave her his hand.
Id tell you where to go, brother, but theres a lady in the room, Tad said. Please join us, Hannah. I see youre walking wounded, like Larry. With Sean involved, that smells like the Troubles to me.
Car bomb, she said. Took my parents and left me with the stick.
Are you from County Down, like Sean here and my own family?
No, I have a horse farm at Drumgoole in the Republic. Inherited, of course, and my aunt Meg is running it while Im at college.
And what will you do when the concert halls start calling? Dillon inquired.
I dont think thats likely.
Well, as a man who has played good barroom piano all my life, Id say its pretty certain.
Molly, who had slipped out, returned now with coffee, which she poured out for everyone. Is there anything else, Tad?
I dont think so. Get yourself ready. Were due at the church in an hour and a half.
She retired, and Dillon said, Kilburn?
Tad nodded. Mary and Joseph in Flood Street. It was her church for all those years, good and bad, so it seemed fitting. The present priest is a nice boy, but Ive got old Father Sharkey to agree to take the service. Eighty-five, but hes up for it. The organists in hospital and theres no choir available, which is unfortunate.
I can manage the organ, Hannah said. Ive been playing the one in my parish church in Drumgoole since I was fourteen. I cant help with the choir. Was there any special piece of music your mother liked to hear?
It was Larry who answered. Danny Boy. She used to sing it around the house when we were boys.
I remember it well, Dillon said.
Then Danny Boy is what you get. Hannah turned to Dillon. Wed better be off. We need to change into something suitable.
Well go to my place, Dillon said. Theres a boutique around the corner that can find something for you.
Tad moved out ahead and went upstairs; Larry escorted them to the front door and opened it. Our lawyers have made it clear to us that my father will be charged with only the minimal offense of drunk driving. That means he walks free.
Dillon said, It stinks, but theres nothing to be done about it.
I could have him taken care of.
Oh, no, you dont. Hannah grabbed him by the lapels and shook him. I imagine Special Branch at Scotland Yard will already be waiting to see if anything happens to him. Your mother wouldnt like it, but theyd love catching a Magee at last.
Dillon said, Finbars not worth putting yourself in harms way over, Larry.
I know, but hes never been able to get his head around the mystery of what happened to the Maria Blanco. Convinced you had something to do with it.
So how could I be in two places at once? Dillon asked. But never mind that. Weve got a funeral to go to.